Latest news with #macOS16
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Is Apple finally fixing its confusing naming system?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. It's that time of the year when rumours about Apple's next operating system updates start flying. True to form, we've seen plenty of speculation about big visionOS-inspired UI design changes in iOS 19 and macOS 16. But is that what the next systems will even be called? It's now being suggested that Apple will overhaul its OS naming conventions and will brand the next generation of software by year rather than release number. That would mean that instead of iOS 19, macOS 16, WatchOS 12 and visionOS 3, we would see the releases of iOS 26, MacOS 26, WatchOS 26 and visionOS 26. If that change sounds familiar, that might be because it's like what Samsung did with its flagship Galaxy S phones back in 2020. It's about time Apple made the same move. Apple's operating systems currently all have different numbers because they were all launched at different times. iPhones are currently on iOS 18, Macs on MacOS 15 and Vision Pro, which was released just last year, is on visionOS 2. The rumour about a change in branding comes from a credible source. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has been right about many Apple rumours in the pasts. He writes: "Apple will use the upcoming year rather than the current one. Though its next operating systems will launch around September 2025, they'll be named for 2026 — not unlike how car companies market their vehicles. If Apple keeps the strategy, the following set of releases will carry the 27 moniker." The move would bring consistency to Apple software branding and make it easier for both customers and developers to know what release each OS is on. There would be no more having to remember each system's number since you would just have to know what year it is. For the moment, it seems Apple isn't considering the same change for its hardware, so the next iPhone will presumably be the iPhone 17 as expected (and iPhone 17 Air if the rumours are true). But why stop at software? I'd say it makes sense to apply the same logic to devices. Gurman compares the move to car manufacturers, but it's hard not to also recall how Samsung made a change like this with its hardware. Apple's rival jumped from the Galaxy S10 in 2019 straight to the S20 in 2020. And it was an ingenious move. Not only did it make it easier for customers to remember what phone they have and identify the current model, but Samsung leap-frogged over Apple in the process. Apple was on iPhone 11 at the time. By turning the Galaxy S11 into the Galaxy S22, it suddenly made it sound like Samsung was ahead. The South Korean tech giant usually releases new Galaxy models in January, while Apple launches iPhones in September. If Apple called the next generation iPhone 26 instead of iPhone 17 it could beat Samsung at its own game and would always be a few months ahead. That might sound petty, but numbers can be powerful in branding. Just remember how Microsoft chose the name Xbox 360 to avoid being seen as a generation behind PlayStation. I'm sure some fans like the iPhone release number tradition, but Apple's already played fast and loose with that by skipping iPhone 9 so it could launch iPhone X on the phone's 10th anniversary, and it would have to repeat that move if it wants to release an iPhone 20 in 2027. Let's just ditch the release numbers and go with the year. You know it makes sense, Apple. You can see the best deals on Apple's current iPhone lineup below. Also see our pick of the best camera phones for other options. What do you think? Should iPhone 17 become iPhone 26? Let us know in the comments section below.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
I've Reviewed Mac OSes for Decades. These Are the 12 Features Apple Should Add to the Next MacOS
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Every June, Apple introduces a new version of macOS (and much more) at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). Like in past years, we expect its latest desktop OS version to go into public beta a few weeks after the announcement and release fully in the fall. Rumors about the next version of macOS are already rampant. Bloomberg says to expect a ) for the first time in many years. I also expect that Apple will call the next version of macOS something other than macOS 16. Bloomberg reports that it's going to be macOS 26. Whatever it is, I hope it's easier to type than 'Sequoia.' We'll have to wait for the keynote on June 9 to find out all these details. In the meantime, below are a dozen features I hope to see in the next version of macOS to help it keep pace with Windows 11. I've been testing and reviewing macOS for several decades (and I consider it an excellent OS overall), but these improvements would be very welcome. With macOS, you can only paste the most recent item that you copied to the clipboard. If you want to reuse an item that you copied earlier, you need a third-party utility like my favorite, , or any of a dozen alternatives you can download from the Mac App Store. Windows has had built-in clipboard history for ages. When I create folders with macOS, they're always a blindingly bright blue color—and they stay blindingly bright even in Dark Mode. For a real-world filing cabinet, I can buy folders in any of a dozen colors. Why can't Apple give me the same freedom of choice with Finder folders? Yes, there are workarounds, but macOS should make this a simple option. High-end iPhones have a Dynamic Island at the top of their screen that can display alerts and report on activity. MacBooks have only a notch with a camera. There's no good reason why your MacBook should lack the conveniences of your phone. The macOS Notification Center is always informative, but it can still be distracting. A more focused Dynamic Island—at least as an option—would make for a more pleasant experience. Speaking of the MacBook camera notch, it's time to bring Face ID to macOS as an optional alternative to Touch ID. For desktop Macs that don't have a built-in camera, it ought to be possible to log in to macOS with a nearby iPhone. Sometimes I want to concentrate on what I'm doing in one app, with no distractions from anywhere else. If I want to silence all notifications, I can go to the Control Center, click on Focus, then choose Do Not Disturb. And if I want to hide everything on my desktop, I can do so from Stage Manager. But all this would be easier with a combined Hide and Silence Everything button on the menu bar. In true Apple style, the button could be customizable, with options to hide or show different kinds of items like apps or documents. It's time for macOS to include built-in icon management for the menu bar. Unless you're using a gigantic external monitor, it's all too easy to keep adding icons to the menu bar until some disappear behind the notch, leaving no straightforward way to access them. You can buy third-party menu bar-management apps like or , but macOS should find a way to solve this issue natively. One minor annoyance with macOS is that you need to set up a username for your macOS account that's different from the Apple ID you use for iCloud services and your iPad or phone. For most users, it makes sense to use only your Apple ID on your Mac. Windows users, by default, use a Microsoft ID to log in to their system, with an option to set up separate accounts with different usernames—this is one of the few ways Windows can be simpler than macOS. There are advantages to the current double-name system on a Mac. It lets you set up a Mac with only a username, without linking it to an Apple ID. Or you can set up multiple accounts that each have a separate username, desktop, and home folder—but still use the same Apple ID. Multiple macOS accounts with the same Apple ID can be useful for testing, or for separating work and play, but life would be simpler for most users if they had only one login name and password to remember. Every morning, I open an online newspaper viewer, find the puzzle page, and press Cmd-Shift-4 to make a screenshot of one of the puzzles so that I can print copies for everyone in my family. This would be a lot easier if macOS let me print the screenshot directly from its initial pop-up window. That window currently lets me only add the image to other apps or email it. As such, I have to wait for the system to save the image to my desktop, open it in the Preview app, print it from there, and then delete it from my desktop. If you right-click on a Contact name in the Contacts app, you get a menu with an item 'Spotlight [contact name],' so you can search for that name in your files and on the web. But you might want to see the mail messages and text messages that you exchanged with said contact. The menu should include these choices, and Apple should open the menu to third-party developers so that you can search in Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or anything else. Apple's Messages app handles the basics fine. But if I want to send a message that destructs after a few seconds, I need to switch to an alternative like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp. I would prefer to keep things simple and use Messages for everything. One advantage of the long-gone System Preferences app was that the pane for Sound settings included the option to show or hide the speaker icon in the menu bar. You can't find this option on the Sound pane of the current System Settings app—you have to go through the Control Center pane to access it. I want a menu bar option for both the Sound and Control Center panes. I would also like similar changes for the panes that control Time Machine and other features. Menu bar options belong on the same pane as the feature that the menu bar icon controls. Windows has a major advantage over macOS in terms of keyboard shortcuts. On a Mac, the most efficient way to access most menu items is via the mouse. You can use the keyboard, but it's complicated and non-intuitive. In contrast, Windows makes every menu item easy to access via your keyboard. For example, you can type Alt-F to open the File menu and then the first letter of the menu item you want to choose. For some items, you need to type a different letter from the first, and Windows has an option that underlines this 'accelerator key.' Microsoft 365 on Windows goes even further. In Word, Excel, or any other Office app, you can simply tap the Alt key, and an array of white-on-black letters appears in the apps' Ribbons so you can reach any visible feature with a single key. There's no good reason why macOS can't do this as well. It would save time and potentially reduce the muscle strain and injuries that result from excessive mouse or trackpad movements. We probably won't get most of these features in the next version of macOS, but there's always hope for the future. Stay tuned for all the software announcements from WWDC; we'll have full coverage of everything Apple unveils. We also plan to publish an in-depth preview of the latest OS version once it's public.
Hans India
23-05-2025
- Hans India
Apple WWDC 2025 Begins June 9: iOS 19 Redesign, AI Integration, and More Expected
Apple has officially announced the dates for its highly anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025. The five-day event will take place from June 9 to June 13, continuing its virtual format while also hosting a limited group of developers and students in person at Apple Park on opening day. The conference will kick off with a keynote on June 9 at 10 AM PT (10:30 PM IST), streamed live across Apple's website, YouTube, the Apple TV app, and the Apple Developer app. As always, WWDC will serve as a platform for unveiling the next generation of Apple's software — and this year, expectations are high for major upgrades across the board. iOS 19: A Bold Redesign and Smarter AI One of the biggest announcements at WWDC 2025 is expected to be iOS 19, which sources say will bring the most dramatic visual overhaul since iOS 7. Inspired by visionOS — the software behind Apple's Vision Pro headset — iOS 19 will likely feature translucent menus, rounded app icons, and floating navigation elements that offer a sleek, futuristic interface. User interface updates may extend to core apps like Messages and Apple Music, with redesigned layouts, improved spacing, and repositioned search bars for a more intuitive user experience. Beyond aesthetics, Apple is pushing hard on AI. iOS 19 is rumored to include a machine learning-powered battery optimization system that adapts to users' habits to extend battery life. Siri is also due for a major upgrade, with a new engine designed to handle context-aware, nuanced voice commands. Apple is reportedly exploring partnerships with major AI firms such as Google and Anthropic, potentially letting users choose between assistant models. The Health app is also in line for significant enhancements, including personalized wellness tips, food tracking, and even video-based fitness programs. iPadOS 19: Visual Unity and Enhanced Multitasking iPadOS 19 will mirror many of iOS 19's design changes, creating a more unified Apple experience across devices. Expect streamlined icons, pill-shaped navigation bars, and a cleaner, gesture-driven interface. Apple is focusing on improved cross-device consistency, with UI elements and system transitions tailored to users who frequently switch between iPads and Macs. Multitasking is expected to be a central focus, with performance upgrades aimed at making app navigation smoother and more intuitive than ever on iPads. macOS 16: A Fresh Look and Cross-Platform Power For Mac users, macOS 16 promises visual refinements that align with the rest of Apple's ecosystem. Expect rounded icons, translucent window panels, and updated system menus that give the Mac desktop a more modern and lightweight aesthetic. While Apple hasn't revealed the official name yet, it's expected to stick with its tradition of using California landmarks. Potential names include Mammoth, Shasta, and Redwood, all of which Apple has previously trademarked. On the functionality front, macOS 16 will aim to deepen integration with iPhones and iPads, reinforcing Apple's vision of a seamless cross-platform environment. watchOS 12: Subtle Design Tweaks and Smarter Features While watchOS 12 won't get a full-blown redesign, it's expected to adopt subtle visual enhancements inspired by visionOS. This includes translucent overlays, sleeker button designs, and enhanced light effects, bringing a more consistent look across devices. Functionality will also get a boost, with lightweight AI features — part of what may be branded under 'Apple Intelligence' — optimized for the Watch's limited hardware. These will offer smarter, more personalized interactions without overwhelming system resources. With WWDC 2025 just around the corner, all eyes are on Apple to deliver its most unified, intelligent, and visually refreshed software suite to date. From bold redesigns to smart integrations, the tech giant is setting the stage for the next generation of digital experiences.
India Today
23-05-2025
- India Today
WWDC 2025 kicks off on June 9: iOS 19 and other big announcements we expect
WWDC will put the spotlight on Apple's latest software updates across its major platforms With iOS 19, Apple is expected to deliver a bold visual redesign macOS 16 is set to receive its own share of visual refinement, aligning more closely with iOS and iPadOS Apple announced the schedule for its upcoming annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), set to take place from June 9 to June 13, 2025. The five-day event will once again be free and held online, giving developers from across the globe access to Apple engineers, design experts, and over 100 technical sessions. The keynote opens on 9 June at 10 AM PT (10:30 PM IST), streamed live across Apple's website, YouTube, the Apple TV app, and the Apple Developer app. As has been tradition since 2020, WWDC continues to offer a virtual format, but Apple will also host a select group of developers and students in person at Apple Park for a special viewing and networking opportunity on the opening day. As is standard, WWDC will put the spotlight on Apple's latest software updates across its major platforms. This year's focus is on iOS 19, which insiders suggest will bring the most significant design overhaul since iOS 7. Major updates are also expected for iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS. Here's what to expect. iOS 19 With iOS 19, Apple is expected to deliver a bold visual redesign. Reports suggest a UI refresh that leans heavily on the aesthetics of visionOS â€' the operating system powering the Vision Pro. Expect to see translucent menus, rounded icons, and floating navigation bars, all aimed at creating a more cohesive and modern look. Apps like Messages and Apple Music could see restructured layouts, including repositioned search bars and better spacing for improved usability. Beyond visual polish, iOS 19 is also expected to feature smarter AI integrations. A new battery optimisation system is said to use machine learning to adapt to user habits and prolong battery life. Siri is also reportedly getting a serious upgrade, with a rebuilt engine designed to handle more nuanced, context-aware commands. Apple is said to be exploring partnerships with AI providers like Google and Anthropic, possibly allowing users to switch between assistant models. The Health app is also expected to add personalised wellness recommendations, food tracking, and video-based fitness content. iPadOS 19 Much like its iOS counterpart, iPadOS 19 will also likely share the same visual DNA, offering a streamlined and unified experience across devices. This includes redesigned system icons, pill-shaped navigation bars, and an overall cleaner interface. With consistency between macOS and iPadOS now a major focus, Apple is also aiming for seamless transitions between devices for users who rely on both. Expect UI elements to be more fluid and gesture-driven, while system performance and app navigation are expected to improve, making multitasking on iPad more intuitive than ever. macOS 16 macOS 16 is set to receive its own share of visual refinement, aligning more closely with iOS and iPadOS. Rounded app icons, translucent window elements, and refreshed system menus are likely to bring a lighter, more modern feel to the Mac desktop. Apple is also continuing its tradition of naming macOS updates after California landmarks, though this year's title is still under wraps. Among the unused names Apple has trademarked are Mammoth, Shasta, and Redwood. Functionally, macOS 16 is expected to better integrate with mobile devices, supporting the broader cross-platform effort to unify Apple's user experience. watchOS 12 watchOS 12 won't undergo a total redesign, but it will adopt select design cues from visionOS to enhance visual consistency. Translucency, subtle light effects, and updated button shapes will give the interface a sleeker appearance. There's also talk of new AI-powered features â€' possibly part of Apple Intelligence â€' designed specifically for the Watch's more limited hardware. These additions will be lighter versions of what iPhones can handle, but still provide smarter interactions and improved personalisation. Apple announced the schedule for its upcoming annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), set to take place from June 9 to June 13, 2025. The five-day event will once again be free and held online, giving developers from across the globe access to Apple engineers, design experts, and over 100 technical sessions. The keynote opens on 9 June at 10 AM PT (10:30 PM IST), streamed live across Apple's website, YouTube, the Apple TV app, and the Apple Developer app. As has been tradition since 2020, WWDC continues to offer a virtual format, but Apple will also host a select group of developers and students in person at Apple Park for a special viewing and networking opportunity on the opening day. As is standard, WWDC will put the spotlight on Apple's latest software updates across its major platforms. This year's focus is on iOS 19, which insiders suggest will bring the most significant design overhaul since iOS 7. Major updates are also expected for iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS. Here's what to expect. iOS 19 With iOS 19, Apple is expected to deliver a bold visual redesign. Reports suggest a UI refresh that leans heavily on the aesthetics of visionOS â€' the operating system powering the Vision Pro. Expect to see translucent menus, rounded icons, and floating navigation bars, all aimed at creating a more cohesive and modern look. Apps like Messages and Apple Music could see restructured layouts, including repositioned search bars and better spacing for improved usability. Beyond visual polish, iOS 19 is also expected to feature smarter AI integrations. A new battery optimisation system is said to use machine learning to adapt to user habits and prolong battery life. Siri is also reportedly getting a serious upgrade, with a rebuilt engine designed to handle more nuanced, context-aware commands. Apple is said to be exploring partnerships with AI providers like Google and Anthropic, possibly allowing users to switch between assistant models. The Health app is also expected to add personalised wellness recommendations, food tracking, and video-based fitness content. iPadOS 19 Much like its iOS counterpart, iPadOS 19 will also likely share the same visual DNA, offering a streamlined and unified experience across devices. This includes redesigned system icons, pill-shaped navigation bars, and an overall cleaner interface. With consistency between macOS and iPadOS now a major focus, Apple is also aiming for seamless transitions between devices for users who rely on both. Expect UI elements to be more fluid and gesture-driven, while system performance and app navigation are expected to improve, making multitasking on iPad more intuitive than ever. macOS 16 macOS 16 is set to receive its own share of visual refinement, aligning more closely with iOS and iPadOS. Rounded app icons, translucent window elements, and refreshed system menus are likely to bring a lighter, more modern feel to the Mac desktop. Apple is also continuing its tradition of naming macOS updates after California landmarks, though this year's title is still under wraps. Among the unused names Apple has trademarked are Mammoth, Shasta, and Redwood. Functionally, macOS 16 is expected to better integrate with mobile devices, supporting the broader cross-platform effort to unify Apple's user experience. watchOS 12 watchOS 12 won't undergo a total redesign, but it will adopt select design cues from visionOS to enhance visual consistency. Translucency, subtle light effects, and updated button shapes will give the interface a sleeker appearance. There's also talk of new AI-powered features â€' possibly part of Apple Intelligence â€' designed specifically for the Watch's more limited hardware. These additions will be lighter versions of what iPhones can handle, but still provide smarter interactions and improved personalisation. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Apple will hold WWDC from June 9 to June 13
Apple sent invites for its developer-focused event, Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which will be held from June 9 to June 13 with an "On the horizon" tagline. The company will likely announce new versions of its operating systems, namely iOS 19, iPadOS 19, watchOS 12, macOS 16, and visionOS 3. The developer conference is both in person and online, with Apple introducing online group sessions for the first time, according to the announcement page. The company will also announce a slew of Apple Intelligence-related features. Reports suggest that these will include intelligent battery management and a virtual health assistant. The company announced Apple Intelligence last year with much fanfare, but it has yet to hit the mark among users. Apple has slowly rolled out features like AI-generated emojis, images, and email summaries. However, it had to pause news summaries in notifications after inaccurate headlines. Plus, it hasn't shipped the new version of Siri that integrates with apps, and has admitted that the rollout is delayed. In iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16, Apple will reportedly bring a ton of visual changes with a design language that will be in line with the visionOS user interface. A report from Bloomberg noted that the company will revamp icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons while simplifying navigation and control. Apart from this, Apple has reportedly been testing an AI-powered coding tool internally in partnership with Anthropic. If these tests are successful, the company is likely to make these tools available to all developers at WWDC. This article originally appeared on TechCrunch at Sign in to access your portfolio
