There were no huge declarations or tools at the WWDC25, just practical tweaks aimed at improving user experience.

From live call translation to on-device smart summaries, what Apple announced was measured and minimal. Siri didn’t get the overhaul many had expected after last year’s promises. 

Instead, Apple focused on more secure system integration and privacy-led enhancements, nothing that screamed innovation.

Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, confirmed developers would now be able to access the on-device large language model embedded in Apple Intelligence. 

“We’re opening up access for any app to tap directly into the on-device, large language model at the core of Apple,” he said. That’s important for privacy, but not necessarily performance.

The on-device model itself is limited. It runs on about 3 billion parameters, small when compared to the power of cloud-based systems used by Microsoft or Google. It can’t process large, complex tasks, which means it is limited in areas where true generative AI is beginning to thrive.

Still, Apple’s strategy is to stay local, stay secure and features like call screening, where iPhones can pick up unknown calls, ask why the person is calling, and then transcribe the response before the phone even rings, are clever. 

So is the live call translation that doesn’t require the other caller to own an iPhone. It’s thoughtful tech, but hardly disruptive.

The redesigned operating systems, featuring what Apple calls a “liquid glass” aesthetic, are another example. It looks sleek, but it’s not revolutionary. It’s enabled by improved Apple silicon, and now all OS platforms, from iPhone to Mac, will adopt a consistent naming convention. The move to names instead of numbers is a way to streamline branding.

Image Playground, which now allows users to generate pictures using ChatGPT, was also showcased. Apple says user data won’t be shared with OpenAI unless the user consents. This cautious collaboration highlights how Apple is trying to balance innovation with its longstanding privacy-first ethos.

What’s missing from all of this is clarity on vision. A year ago, Apple spoke of intelligent agents and a new era of AI. That talk has all but disappeared. Analysts are taking note.

“In a moment in which the market questions Apple’s ability to take any sort of lead in the AI space, the announced features felt incremental at best,” said Thomas Monteiro, senior analyst at Investing.com. “It just seems that the clock is ticking faster every day for Apple.”

That ticking clock got louder as OpenAI, during Apple’s WWDC25 event, announced it had hit $10 billion in annualised revenue. One company accelerating into the AI future, the other inching forward.

Even within the developer community, there are questions. Apple’s Foundation Models Framework allows developers to plug into Apple Intelligence, but only the on-device version. The high-powered, cloud-backed models that could have taken these tools to the next level are staying behind closed doors.

Ben Bajarin, CEO of Creative Strategies, said: “You could see Apple’s priority is what they’re doing on the back-end, instead of what they’re doing at the front-end, which most people don’t really care about yet.”

Investors, it seems, agreed. Apple shares fell 1.2% by the end of the day, hardly a collapse, but a sign that the market wasn’t impressed.

If Apple is laying the foundation for bigger things, it’s doing so without noise. This is a deliberate approach we hope will pay off, not leave the company behind competitors.

At the centre of the anticipated launch is a complete overhaul of its operating systems’ appearance, a new naming convention, and cautious updates to its much-publicised Apple Intelligence tools.

The interface update, internally dubbed “Solarium,” takes cues from the visionOS used in Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

Early reports suggest users should expect a visually striking “Liquid Glass” look, transparent toolbars, glass-like UI elements, and a system-wide aesthetic meant to unify Apple’s product ecosystem. 

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that this could be “the most dramatic overhaul” in Apple’s software history.

The change doesn’t end there as Apple appears set to abandon version numbers in favour of a year-based naming system. So, instead of iOS 19, we’ll now see iOS 26, aligning with macOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. It’s a change aimed at better cohesion across platforms.

Though Apple Intelligence dominated WWDC 2024, this year’s event will likely tone down the hype. After falling short on delivering an improved Siri and being condemned for over-promising, Apple is reportedly playing it safe. 

Still, some features, like automatic message translation and improved battery life management using AI, are on the cards. 

The AI features may also help the iPhone learn which apps to prioritise for power efficiency and show a charging time estimate on the lock screen.

iOS 26 will bring visible changes to everyday apps. Messages is tipped to get polls and custom chat backgrounds, while Notes may finally allow Markdown exports, a small but meaningful update for content creators. 

Meanwhile, a standalone gaming app could debut, streamlining Game Center, Apple Arcade, and store-bought games into one interface. Apple is also expected to expand gaming across iPadOS and macOS.

As for macOS, WWDC 2025 rumours point to the end of Intel-era Mac support. Devices like the 2018 Mac mini and 2020 Intel MacBook Air may be cut off. macOS 26, potentially called “Tahoe” will reportedly carry forward the visual overhaul with support continuing only on M1 and newer Macs.

One underreported but essential focus is accessibility. New features include braille-compatible app launching, Live Captions for Apple Watch, and a simplified Reader mode for users with dyslexia and visual impairments. 

There’s also a move to add “accessibility nutrition labels” in the App Store, helping users evaluate app usability before downloading.

The Apple Watch may gain a blood pressure feature and AI-powered notification summaries. However, watchOS support could leave out Series 6, with Series 7 and newer models remaining in play. 

Likewise, iPadOS 26 could drop support for the 7th-gen iPad but bring new multitasking tools and a mobile Preview app for PDF annotation.

Notably absent from this year’s expected announcements is Apple’s long-rumoured smart glasses. While sources say Tim Cook is invested in bringing spatial computing to wearables by 2026, no major reveal is anticipated today. 

However, Apple may quietly begin courting developers for future app support, as it did with the Vision Pro.

And though Apple won’t address it on stage, the impact of US tariffs can’t be ignore. With the Trump administration threatening 25% tariffs on non-US-made Apple products, CEO Tim Cook recently noted a projected $900 million hit this quarter. 

If there’s any mention of Apple’s promised $500 billion domestic investment, it’ll be more political than product-oriented.

Finally, the Apple Design Awards have already named winners across six categories, highlighting the best in innovation, accessibility, and visual design. It’s a quiet nod to the developer community just before the big announcements roll in.

WWDC 2025 officially begins today at 6 p.m. WAT, and developer betas are expected to be released immediately after the keynote. Public betas should follow in July, with full software rollouts likely timed with the iPhone 17 launch this September.

Apple has a lot to prove this year with functionality, reliability, and restraint. 

Developers and tech professionals are looking beyond routine updates, the company is preparing to announce changes across its software platforms, with higher focus on artificial intelligence.

The event, which combines in-person attendance at Apple Park with online programming, is headlined by the theme “On the horizon.”

Apple is also planning a deep redesign of its software, particularly for iOS 19, macOS 16, iPadOS 19, visionOS 3, and watchOS 12.

From what we’ve gathered, users should expect overhauled icons, refined menus, redesigned apps, and simplified navigation, all aligned with the aesthetic of visionOS.

Apple isn’t just putting a new coat of paint on its platforms. The bigger innovation lies in the integration of “Apple Intelligence” features across its ecosystem. 

These include new tools for smarter battery performance and a virtual assistant for health tracking, obvious signs Apple is pushing further into personalised and predictive user experiences.

The WWDC 2025 conference opens on 9 June at 10 a.m. PDT with the traditional keynote, streamed globally on Apple’s platforms, including the Apple TV app and YouTube. Later that day at 1 p.m. PDT, the “Platforms State of the Union” will offer a technical breakdown of the new tools, features, and APIs that developers will work with in the months ahead.

Developers can expect over 100 sessions during the week, covering updates across Swift, machine learning, graphics, and system frameworks.

For the first time, Apple is adding online group sessions to supplement one-on-one appointments with engineers and designers. This is different from past years, stressing the company’s move to make developer engagement more collaborative and flexible.

A highlight of the conference is the Swift Student Challenge, where Apple is spotlighting 50 standout winners with a three-day immersive experience at Apple Park. The goal is to nurture the next generation of coders and creators from the ground up.

Everything will be accessible online via the WWDC25 website, the Apple Developer app, and official Apple channels.

Apple said in its announcement: “WWDC25 is going to be our biggest and most forward-looking yet.” Given the changes coming, that doesn’t appear to be an exaggeration.

While the event will be largely online, the company plans to host an exclusive in-person gathering at Apple Park on the first day.

This year’s conference promises to go beyond just a routine software showcase. Apple developers and students worldwide will gain access to new tools, frameworks, and features designed to refine their apps and services. 

The tech giant has confirmed that its latest software updates—including iOS 19, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS—will be at the centre of discussions. 

Bloomberg previously reported that iOS 19 could be the most notable update since iOS 7, pointing to a complete redesign and major improvements.

Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, Susan Prescott, commented on the company’s commitment to its developer community, saying, “We’re excited to mark another incredible year of WWDC with our global developer community. We can’t wait to share the latest tools and technologies that will empower developers and help them continue to innovate.”

Reports have further revealed there might be other hardware announcements. Apple has remained tight-lipped, but we could see enhancements to Siri, deeper AI integrations, and possibly new Mac models.

Developers keen on attending the in-person event at Apple Park will need to apply, as space is limited. The experience will include a live Keynote and Platforms State of the Union, one-on-one interactions with Apple engineers, and hands-on workshops.

For students, Apple’s Swift Student Challenge provides a platform for young coders. Successful applicants will be notified of their selection on 27 March, with 50 Distinguished Winners receiving an invitation to Cupertino for an exclusive three-day experience.

Apple will release more details leading up to WWDC25 through its Developer app and official website.