Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 is upon us, promising a deep dive into the future of Apple's software ecosystem. From potential overhauls to iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, to the evolution of Apple Intelligence and even possible hardware surprises, there's a lot to unpack. CNET, The Verge, and CNBC are all reporting live from Apple Park and remotely to bring you the latest news, rumors, and analyses as they unfold.

A major talking point is the potential renaming of Apple's operating systems. Instead of the expected iOS 19, reports suggest Apple might switch to iOS 26, and similarly for other OSs, to align the numbering with the release year.

While a change in OS naming convention might seem superficial, it could signal a shift in Apple's software strategy, potentially indicating more frequent and incremental updates. Whether this impacts the naming of hardware, like the "iPhone 17" is still yet to be known.

Gaming has always been a component of the Apple ecosystem, but this year might see Apple take a bigger step towards dedicated gaming. Bloomberg speculates about a possible Game Center replacement, designed to foster a stronger gaming community within Apple's ecosystem. The recent aquisition of video game studio, RAC7 further reinforces this committment to gaming.

The first year of Apple Intelligence has been met with mixed reactions. Features promised at WWDC 2024 trickled out slowly and Siri continues to be developed. Apple is facing pressure to demonstrate the value and potential of its AI technology, after Google I/O showcased some strong features. It remains to be seen how Apple will address its AI strategy: highlight its achievements, or acknowledge shortcomings and chart a new course?

Beyond the major software updates, several other announcements and potential features are on the rumor mill:

• HomePod with a Screen: A long-rumored HomePod with a screen could finally materialize, potentially enhancing smart home control and FaceTime capabilities.
• AI-Powered Battery Management: An AI battery manager, as part of Apple Intelligence, could analyze usage patterns to optimize power consumption on iPhones.
• Live Translation for AirPods: A new feature to offer live translation capabilities, similar to what other competitors like Google already offer.
• Refreshed Apple Watch: Redesigned interface that take cues from the Vision Pro's clean, translucent aesthetic, along with advanced health features with AI-powered coaching.

We'll be updating this blog post with new developments as they are announced.