Apple Allegedly Skips Multiple iOS Versions, Jumps Directly from iOS 19 to iOS 26
Apple is set to explain its reasoning behind a significant change in its operating system naming convention and user interface design at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, scheduled for June 9. The tech giant is aiming to enhance clarity and consistency across its platforms with a new year-based naming scheme, starting with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.
This change aligns Apple with competitors like Samsung and Microsoft and ensures that users can easily identify the latest software updates across different devices, as the version numbers will now be synchronized across all platforms.
**Expected Changes in User Interface and Product Designs:**
Apple's major design overhaul, dubbed "Liquid Glass," features a translucent and fluid interface reminiscent of glass-like elements with translucent layers and shimmering surfaces. This design is the most significant visual transformation since iOS 7 and includes redesigned app icons, updated menus, and toolbars across all platforms. The new design aims to create a more harmonious experience across Apple devices while maintaining the unique qualities of each platform, bringing Apple's mobile, desktop, and XR environments closer together.
The iPad is expected to function more like a personal computer with these updates, further blurring the lines between mobile and desktop computing. Additionally, the iPad Air and iPad Pro models may include redesigned Magic Keyboards, and Apple is reportedly working on a UI that allows for more freedom in placing apps to create a full computer experience.
The next UI for Apple's products is expected to sport more circular bubble icons for various apps and desktops, according to the latest reports. Apple may also open up its platform to allow more third-party AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, the makers of Claude.
Gurman's latest reports also suggest that we could see a new live-translation mode for AirPods along with Siri. The reported name change stems from Bloomberg tech journalist Mark Gurman's anonymous sources, and we will hear Apple try to explain its reasoning at WWDC 2025.
Apple's big plan is to try and unify its user interface across all platforms, and the reported name change is similar to Samsung's naming scheme for its Galaxy phones, with devices aligning with the year they are released. The supposed decision for Apple to move the number ahead by one year suggests the full scale of each OS update won't arrive until a full six months after the company annually reveals its update plans.
In summary, Apple's WWDC 2025 promises a significant shift in the tech giant's operating system naming convention and user interface design. The changes aim to create a more unified and visually appealing experience across all Apple devices, further blurring the lines between mobile and desktop computing. Stay tuned for more updates as Apple explains its reasoning at the conference in June.
At WWDC 2025, Apple intends to use a year-based naming scheme for its operating systems, similar to Samsung and Microsoft, to help users identify software updates across various devices. This change is part of Apple's plan to unify its user interface across platforms with a significant visual transformation called "Liquid Glass," featuring circular bubble icons, redesigned app icons, and a harmonious experience across Apple devices.
