Vergecast previews Apple WWDC 2025 with live updates

This year's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) is set to kick off on Monday, June 9, at Apple’s iconic spaceship-shaped Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Historically, WWDC is where Apple unveils its roadmap for the upcoming year, focusing on software updates across its various platforms. However, the stakes are higher this time, given the mounting pressures from regulatory changes, developer frustrations, and intense competition in the AI sector. According to reports, Apple is gearing up for a significant redesign affecting all its operating systems, which will leap from their current versions to "26." This new naming scheme is intended to align the user experiences more closely and simplify the versioning process. The inspiration behind this change is the Vision Pro’s glassy and translucent visionOS, which will be extended to macOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and iPadOS. The goal is to create a more consistent and visually cohesive interface across all devices. For the iPhone, this marks the first major software facelift since iOS 7 in 2013, designed by Jony Ive. The rumored updates go beyond just aesthetics. A new Preview-like app for iPhone and iPad, likely aimed at improving file management and document preview capabilities, is on the horizon. Additionally, there might be a dedicated "Gaming" app for mobile devices, indicating Apple’s continued commitment to enhancing the gaming experience. Enhanced multitasking options are also anticipated, potentially addressing longstanding criticisms of the iPad's usability in a productivity context. Another intriguing possibility is the integration of AirPods as remote camera shutters, which could add a unique layer of functionality for users. However, the elephant in the room remains Apple’s AI efforts. The company’s brand of artificial intelligence, dubbed Apple Intelligence, is widely seen as falling behind competitors like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic, who have been rolling out advanced LLM-powered chatbots and writing tools at a rapid pace. Last year, Apple announced several AI features, including Genmoji, notification summaries, and writing tools, but the most anticipated feature—a revamped Siri with enhanced on-screen awareness and autonomous capabilities—failed to materialize even after significant delays. Reports suggest that the new Siri features were more fictional than functional, and Apple’s marketing push may have overpromised and underdelivered. industry insiders are divided on how Apple will handle the AI gap this year. Some speculate that Apple may focus on incremental improvements, such as live translation features for phone calls and texts, rather than a revolutionary overhaul. Others argue that Apple needs to demonstrate substantial progress to reassert its position in the tech ecosystem. Whether the company emerges as an innovator or continues to be seen as a laggard will likely hinge on its ability to deliver meaningful and competitive AI advancements. Meanwhile, the tech community is buzzing with other gadget news. The Nintendo Switch 2 has already made headlines, with David Pierce sharing his surprisingly smooth experience obtaining the device. While initial impressions are positive, a thorough review is pending and will provide deeper insights into its performance and improvements over the original Switch. Meta’s ongoing smart glasses plans also drew attention, with Joanna Stern offering a theory about potential collaborations with Jony Ive and OpenAI. These collaborations could bring innovative designs and AI integrations to Meta’s wearable technology, challenging Apple’s dominance in the smart glasses market. Returning to the central event, WWDC 2025 is poised to be a pivotal moment for Apple. The company’s consumer tech editor, Raymond Wong, along with senior writer James Pero and staff reporter Kyle Barr, will be on-site to provide live coverage and detailed analysis of the announcements. Their insights will be crucial in understanding the implications of Apple’s software updates and whether they meet the expectations of the tech community. In summary, WWDC 2025 is expected to bring a unified and visually refreshed interface across all of Apple’s operating systems, with the iPhone seeing its first major design overhaul in over a decade. The conference will also highlight new features like an improved file preview app and enhanced gaming capabilities. However, the key focus will be on Apple’s AI strategy, particularly the status of the revamped Siri. Will Apple’s efforts be enough to address its lag behind competitors, or will it fall short on delivering impactful AI advancements? Only time will tell, but the tech industry is watching closely. Industry insiders remain skeptical about the depth of Apple’s AI integrations but acknowledge the significance of the impending updates. Analysts predict that a strong showing in AI could reinvigorate Apple’s developer base and user loyalty, especially if the features are seamlessly integrated and provide tangible benefits. Conversely, any further delays or underwhelming AI features could further erode Apple’s reputation and market position. Apple’s ability to innovate and adapt will be crucial in navigating these challenges and maintaining its leadership in the tech world. Apple is a renowned tech giant known for its sleek design and user-friendly products, but the company faces increasing scrutiny and pressure to stay ahead of the curve, particularly in emerging technologies like AI. The WWDC 2025 conference will be a critical test of Apple’s ability to deliver and a significant indicator of its future direction in the competitive and rapidly evolving tech landscape.