Why isn’t it called macOS Taco? (Image credit: Apple) 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.

It’s time for WWDC bingo (Image credit: Basic Apple Guy) 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…

Your WWDC 2025 cheat sheet (Image credit: Future / Apple) 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

Debate: what’s been the biggest iOS upgrade? (Image credit: OldOS – Zane Kleinberg) 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…

The most important person of WWDC 2025? (Image credit: Apple) 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…

How convenient: Apple pops the AI hype bubble (Image credit: Shutterstock) 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.

What’s the big theme of WWDC 2025? iOS 26 could also simplify the iPhone’s camera app as part of the ‘Liquid Glass’ redesign, according to rumors we saw back in May from the YouTube channel Front Page Tech (Image credit: Front Page Tech) 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.

Rewind: what happened at WWDC 2024? (Image credit: Apple) 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…