Apple is reportedly ditching its traditional version-numbering scheme for its operating systems and moving to a more year-based system — with a twist. According to a report by Bloomberg, starting this year, Apple may name its OS updates after the following year. That means the next big release of iOS, due this fall, will be called iOS 26, not iOS 19.
The change won’t stop at iPhones, as per the report. The company plans to apply the new naming convention across its entire software ecosystem: iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. The update will be announced officially during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9.
If this feels a bit like how car companies brand new models a year ahead, that’s exactly the idea. Apple wants to create a more uniform and intuitive versioning system. Right now, it’s a bit of a numerical mess — with iOS at 18, watchOS at 12, and visionOS just getting started at 2.
Alongside the new naming scheme, Apple is also expected to unveil a refreshed visual design for its platforms, inspired by the sleek, spatial interfaces of visionOS on the Vision Pro headset. The changes could mark the most significant UI shift in years, bringing a unified design language across Apple’s devices.
WWDC 2024 kicks off June 9 at 1 PM ET with a keynote, where Apple will lay out its software roadmap — and now, its naming roadmap — for the year ahead.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
