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2025-06-09T09:43:55.900Z
Poll: what you're most excited about in iOS 26
We recently ran a poll on our WhatsApp channel – which is well worth signing up to for the latest tech news – and over 1,000 of you told us what you're most looking forward to in iOS 26.
The winner, with 43% of the vote, was the visionOS-style overhaul that Apple insider Mark Gurman now says will be described as 'Liquid Glass'. Given the other rumored features on the list, that doesn't surprise me – it is, after all, expected to be the biggest visual change for iPhones since iOS 7.
Elsewhere, the rumored AI-powered battery management (which may simply turn out to be 'better battery management) came in second with 17% of the vote, while third place (with 12%) went to the live translation feature that's apparently coming to the Apple AirPods.
A significant minority are also looking forward to CarPlay news – and with the in-car platform rumored to be getting two upgrades, it seems likely that Apple will give it a prominent shout-out (alongside CarPlay Ultra).
2025-06-09T09:19:57.763Z
Why isn’t it called macOS Taco?
Back to the important questions of WWDC 2025 – software name changes and an apparent missed opportunity with this year’s version of macOS.
According to rumors, Apple will today follow up macOS Sequoia with (drum roll) macOS Tahoe. This would, unfortunately, be a very sensible name that’s entirely in keeping with Apple’s strategy of naming its desktop OS after locations in California, with Lake Tahoe being a popular ski resort in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
But I also remember the innocent days when Google would give versions of Android names like ‘Donut’ and ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’, which is probably why I keep reading the new version of macOS as a rather delicious folded tortilla.
It’d probably get me more excited about it, anyway – so far, the rumors about new features been very thin on the ground apart from a new look, some fresh accessibility features, a new gaming app and, er, a Wi-Fi timesaver.
2025-06-09T08:56:42.276Z
It’s time for WWDC bingo
Credit where it’s due – Apple blogger Basic Apple Guy has crafted the WWDC 2025 bingo card above, and it’s so strong I’d highly recommend not turning it into a drinking game.
We have staples like a “memorable Federighi moment” and flying into a secret location via a “whimsical transition”, but also a good mix of pre-event rumors. These include the expected reveal of macOS Tahoe and a Live Translation feature for AirPods.
I’ll reluctantly agree with the “no Mac hardware announced” entry, too – my wait for an M5 MacBook Pro will almost certainly continue into late 2025, despite macOS 26 likely cutting my 2018 MacBook Pro adrift from its Tahoe party.
Let’s be honest, we’d all much rather it was called macOS Taco, too…
2025-06-09T08:38:51.056Z
Your WWDC 2025 cheat sheet
If you want a quick, five-minute primer on what to expect at WWDC 2025 I'd suggest checking out our list of the 7 biggest things to expect, according to Apple experts.
We've combined our in-house specialist knowledge with the latest rumors from the likes of Bloomberg's Mark Gurman to give you the latest predictions across iOS 26, macOS Tahoe and more.
And if you haven't got time for that, well here's a quick list of the headline rumors so far:
- iOS 26 to get 'Liquid Glass' redesign that'll appear across Apple's software platforms
- iPadOS 26 to bring more Mac-like features like improved multitasking
- A new, dedicated gaming app that'll also come to macOS 26 Tahoe
- The arrival of watchOS 26 with new tracking features for outdoor exercise
- tvOS 26 to get the visionOS-like redesign and Apple Intelligence features
- Apple AirPods to get a new Live Translate feature among other iOS 26 upgrades
2025-06-09T08:25:35.257Z
Debate: what’s been the biggest iOS upgrade?
We’re taking a quick break from the WWDC 2025 rumor mill to bring you an internal TechRadar debate – what’s been the best iOS upgrade from over the years at WWDC?
The votes are in. Senior AI Writer John-Anthony Disotto went old-school, rightfully highlighting the arrival of the App Store (iOS 2.0) and FaceTime (iOS 4.0) as massive moments. Nods of approval also greeted the suggestion of the Files app (iOS 11), from our Managing Editor (Entertainment), Matt Bolton.
A late contender from Jamie Richards (Mobile Computing Staff Writer) was iOS 16’s customizable lock screen overhaul, later aped by Android. All are valid suggestions in my book, with my personal take being iOS 4’s multitasking and folders.
As my friend noted about iOS 4 in 2010, “it’s like getting a new phone”. I wonder if we’ll be saying the same about iOS 26…
2025-06-09T08:01:45.392Z
The most important person of WWDC 2025?
Apple’s cast of WWDC execs have become a bit stale in recent years, but fortunately a lesser-known face will apparently have a bigger role at this year’s event: Alan Dye.
That’s because Mr. Dye is Apple’s vice president of human interface and one of the key players behind what could be the biggest iPhone software overhaul since iOS 7.
Interestingly, Alan Dye actually helped craft iOS 7 under the watchful eye of Jony Ive over a decade ago, and seemingly inherited his black-rimmed glasses. The rumors are that iOS 26 is going to have a more glass-like quality, including translucent and shine effects ported from visionOS.
I’m not against that, but I would also like my iPhone’s keyboard to work as well as did before iOS 18…
2025-06-09T07:33:30.942Z
How convenient: Apple pops the AI hype bubble
As spotted by the ChatGPT subreddit, an interesting new paper about AI has just emerged on the eve of WWDC 2025 from Apple’s Machine Learning Research division, called “The Illusion of Thinking”.
It appears to cast doubt on the logic and puzzle-solving abilities of today’s LRMs (large reasoning models) and their ability to get close to the AGI heights promised in some quarters.
I haven’t read the full paper yet, but its raising of “crucial questions” about the “true reasoning capabilities” of some AI models does feel conveniently timed, given Apple’s struggles (so far) to deliver on the lofty Apple Intelligence promises of WWDC 2024.
Seeing how it addresses those is going to be one of the most interesting parts of WWDC.
2025-06-09T07:22:22.600Z
What’s the big theme of WWDC 2025?
The two words for your WWDC 2025 bingo card are ‘Liquid Glass’.
That’s according to Apple soothsayer Mark Gurman, who’s just followed up his prediction that we’ll see a switch to year-based software names (iOS 26, macOS 26 and, hilariously, visionOS 26) with some specific details about the rumored software facelift.
This new interface will apparently be the biggest visual change since iOS 7, which swapped a literal form of skeuomorphism for a then-modern ‘flat’ look. iOS 26 has apparently also been designed to set the stage for a 20th anniversary iPhone that will launch in 2027 with curved glass sides, no cutout section, and “extraordinarily slim bezels”.
For me, the rumored redesign sounds a bit like a ‘look over here’ distraction from Apple’s lack of progress on AI features. But it’s also something Apple is typically very good at pulling off without royally screwing it up – in theory, at least.
2025-06-09T06:54:49.050Z
Rewind: what happened at WWDC 2024?
A year ago, Apple Intelligence didn’t exist. And twelve months on… well, it kind of still doesn’t, at least not to the extent that Apple promised at WWDC 2024. There’s no doubt that AI is going to be the elephant in the room at this year’s event – and Apple needs to make sure it’s a cute, Genmoji-style Dumbo rather than a shadow that hovers over the whole event.
Still, WWDC 2024 wasn’t all about Apple Intelligence. The Apple Vision Pro got a worldwide launch, iPadOS got a calculator app (gasp), AirPods Pro 2 owners got a handy Voice Isolation feature, and Apple TVs got a modest equivalent of Amazon’s X-Ray feature.
If, as has been rumored, there’s little in the way of concrete Apple Intelligence news at WWDC 2025, I’m hoping Apple serves up a bigger platter of software upgrades than the slightly meager selection of luke-warm canapés we got last year…
2025-06-07T12:17:48.719Z
Welcome to our WWDC 2025 liveblog
Good mooorning! As Tim Cook would say. I'm Mark Wilson (TechRadar's Managing Editor, News) and I'll be taking you through the build-up to WWDC 2025 – which feels like one of the most significant Apple software shows for years.
It's a big one because I can't remember Apple being on the back foot before a WWDC event as much as it is today. From its bodged Apple Intelligence rollout to the recent barrage of wrist-slaps from regulators, Apple has had a rough twelve months since WWDC 2024 – so it's going to be fascinating to see how it responds.
I'm almost as interested in how it plans to Houdini itself from some awkward situations (next-gen Siri?) as I am in the software announcements themselves. Whatever we get, it's going to be essential viewing for Apple fans...
English (US) ·