With this week’s announcements, Apple seems prepared for large-scale changes. Most notably, they’re planning to roll out a new naming convention focusing on release years rather than version numbers. The new iOS will retroactively rename itself iOS 19 to iOS 26. Other software will receive comparable updates, including iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. This move marks a departure from Apple’s traditional major version numbering scheme. It’s a sign of an ambitious, potentially game-changing, overhaul of their underlying software platforms.
The announcement coincides with Apple getting ready to announce iOS 26 next month, which will reportedly include a full visual makeover. This redesign borrows liberally from the aesthetic language established by Apple Vision Pro headset. That makes this the biggest iOS related news since the release of iOS 7. Apple originally intended to launch these new features in the first half of this year. Instead, it has recently announced delays in their release.
New Features and Enhancements
iOS 26 is expected to unveil a host of helpful new updates designed to improve the user experience. Among a host of other features, that may wind up being one of the most impressive – an Apple Intelligence-powered Apple translator built directly into the Messages app. This breakthrough feature, which is the first of its kind, instantly translates messages as they come into users’ inboxes. It simplifies multi-lingual communications.
Alongside translation upgrades, Apple has pushed on the notable improvements to its virtual assistant, Siri. During a presentation in 2024, Apple showcased a more context-aware Siri that can gather information and perform tasks across multiple applications. Here’s where we need to be clear – these advanced capabilities won’t even make it to iOS 26.
Apple’s recent acquisition of its first game studio, RAC7, further underscores its desire to climb into spaces predicated on a robust software catalog. This step, along with others in recent months, telegraphs an Apple strategy to expand gaming features and related content as part of the overall ecosystem of Apple’s operating systems.
Design Overhaul and User Experience
With iOS 26, Apple’s radical redesign is set to change the way users interact with their devices. The new interface is heavily influenced by Apple’s Vision Pro headset. It delivers on that promise with an updated, uncluttered, contemporary appearance that dramatically improves usability and accessibility. This redesign is all about providing a seamless experience between every device Apple makes. It matches hand in glove to the company’s overall vision of creating a seamless ecosystem.
Despite the anticipation surrounding the design changes, users might experience a learning curve as they adapt to the new interface. Apple has historically invested significant resources into user experience research, which could mitigate frustration and enhance overall satisfaction during the transition.
With the delay in features and the shift in naming conventions, some users may have mixed feelings about the direction Apple is taking. The move from numbered to named releases reflects a big picture trend in the industry. This deregulatory move seeks to lower the bar for consumer recognition of eco-software.