Every year, Apple announces a myriad of software and occasional hardware updates for developers at WWDC. But this year might be different; some might say it’s the end of an era.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, is about to host his last WWDC, per a CNET report. After 15 years at the helm of Apple, taking over from Steve Jobs, who’s considered one of the most famous visionaries in the tech space, he’ll finally be stepping down on September 1. His successor, John Ternus, Apple’s hardware chief, will have big shoes to fill.

So, this year’s keynote goes beyond just software or hardware updates; it’s a passing of the torch moment.

How to watch this year’s keynote

WWDC will kick off next week on 8 June at Apple Park at 10 a.m. PT and will run until June 12. As usual, you’ll be able to stream it for free across Apple’s various platforms:

Also, here are some things we expect to debut at WWDC 2026.

A completely revamped Siri (after years of waiting)

This will likely be the headline announcement of WWDC 2026. Remember back in 2024, when Apple promised an AI-powered Siri.

This was a much-awaited upgrade to the personal assistant, which was first integrated into the Apple ecosystem in 2011, but it never came to fruition due to internal team restructuring, strict privacy standards, hardware constraints, and Apple generally being behind in the AI race. But after two years, rumours have it that a revamped Siri is finally dropping at this year’s WWDC.

Bloomberg reports that a standalone Siri app is coming, plus a new “Ask Siri” interface you can swipe down from the top of your screen to access. Siri will reportedly be able to take actions on your behalf — editing images, sharing files, and digging through messages to find flight information. Imagine ChatGPT, but inside Apple’s ecosystem. This comes after many years of Siri lagging behind competitors like Google Assistant (which is basically Gemini now), Alexa, and Microsoft Copilot.

iOS 27 will likely focus on AI, not redesigns

Last year, iOS 26 introduced Liquid Glass, a major visual overhaul. Although some loved it, others didn’t. This year, Apple appears to be taking a different approach. Reports suggest iOS 27 will introduce more AI-powered tools across the system, including smarter photo editing, AI-generated wallpapers, shortcut automation, and deeper contextual search.

Apple also seems interested in making AI feel less obvious and more integrated into daily tasks. That approach fits Apple’s style. The company rarely wants features to feel experimental or unfinished. Which means there could be fewer flashy new features and more bug fixes aimed at improving performance.

Bloomberg says Apple’s engineering teams are “hunting for bloat to cut, bugs to eliminate, and any opportunity to meaningfully boost performance.”

iOS 27 features

The Camera app could be getting more customisation options with a new widget system, allowing you to set it up exactly how you want. The Photos app may also get two AI tools: Reframe, which adjusts framing, and Extend, which expands images with AI-generated content. Image Playground and Genmoji are also expected to receive small improvements.

Apple has also announced new accessibility features, including Voice Control with natural language support, automated subtitles on any video, and VoiceOver descriptions of your surroundings.

The rest of the lineup

iPadOS and macOS will likely mirror most iOS features, including the new Siri. The big question is whether Apple introduces touch-based elements to macOS for a rumoured touchscreen MacBook.

watchOS 27 could get improved heart rate monitoring and a new watch face inspired by the Apple Watch Ultra. Bloomberg says Apple is taking a stability-first approach here too. visionOS 27 could also get AI Siri and stability updates. tvOS 27? Finally, adjustable text size, which Apple announced in a recent accessibility press release.

The foldable iPhone tease

Don’t expect Apple to announce a foldable iPhone at WWDC. That’s more likely for a September event.

But iOS 27 features might hint at one: better multitasking and tablet-style UI elements that would make sense on a folding screen. Rumours say the foldable could be called the iPhone Ultra, with a $2,000–$2,500 price tag and a September launch.

Conclusion

This might not be Apple’s most feature-packed keynote, but it could be one of the most important in the company’s history. The keynote could give us an idea of where Apple is headed as it prepares for a transition from Cook to Ternus. But will Ternus be able to build on what Cook achieved, just as Cook did when Jobs stepped aside? Only the future can tell.

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TechloyLouis Eriakha