Apple WWDC 26: what to expect

Apple’s WWDC 2026 starts later today – this is a software-focused event, so we don’t expect new hardware. However, Apple users wouldn’t want to miss it as several major changes are coming to their devices. Here’s an overview of what to expect.

You can watch the WWDC livestream here. The event starts at 10:00 AM PT (7:00 PM CEST).

New, smarter Siri

Siri may be one of the earlier digital assistants, but it has fallen off in terms of capabilities. This is why it’s getting a full reboot – Apple has partnered with Nvidia and Google to rebuild it with modern LLM AI at its core.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who wrote up a detailed report on the major reveals of this WWDC, these will be the top new capabilities:

• Siri will be able to access personal information from apps and Apple services
• It will be able to compose emails using information from your messages, contacts, notes, calendar events and other sources
• Siri will be able to use what’s on screen as additional context
• It will be able to add events to the calendar and handle conflicting appointments
• There will be a separate app with more controls, Shortcut integration
• You will be able to make complex requests that require multiple steps to complete

The new and improved Siri will leverage Google’s Gemini AI model. And by the sound of it, it will be Gemini running on Google’s servers instead of Apple’s. That said, other AIs may be supported as well, including ChatGPT and Claude. Additionally, it will have an Extensions feature that will be like a mini app store that will allow users to extend Siri’s capabilities.

The new Siri app will have AI-assisted writing tools (plus system-wide grammar checking). And there will be a new interface that combines search with commands – you will be able to use it to launch apps, ask questions, give commands, do web searches (using Apple’s own web search complete with AI summaries). Siri apps will be available for iPhones, iPads and Macs with iCloud-synchronized chat history. The chat bot will work with both written and spoken commands.

The new and improved Siri may roll out gradually, though. Previously, Gurman had reported that it will launch as a beta and will have a waitlist for people who want to try it early.

More AI tools

While Siri will be the star of the show, this will be a general overhaul of Apple’s AI systems. Apple is expected to introduce the CoreAI framework that will allow app developers to provide Siri integration and support AI agents in their apps.

Additionally, Apple has built new AI-powered image editing tools. They will do the usual things: object removal, image quality improvements, reframing existing photos (using depth information to change the perspective) and expanding them (“uncropping”). This may be done through a natural language interface.

There’s more – Apple has reportedly worked on everything from AI wallpaper generation to automatic suggestions for Genmojis. Again, additional AI image generation services will be supported.

Improved performance

Apple’s new OS versions are expected to bring higher performance and longer battery life. They also promise improved security and better reliability with fewer bugs.

Refined UI

At the previous WWDC, Apple introduced a new design language that unified all its platforms – but let’s just say that Liquid Glass was a controversial design. Apple has been working on solving readability issues caused by the transparent glass effects.

The new UI is also expected to bring support for Apple’s first foldable, the upcoming iPhone Ultra. How much of that will be shown on stage remains to be seen, however.

Anyway, other UI improvements include:

• Customizable camera controls
• Updated keyboard and notification animations
• Homescreen undo/redo
• Better search tabs for the media and news apps
• Support for third-party AirPlay alternatives
• A new AirPods settings screen
• A new Find My interface
• Conditions widget for the Weather app that shows wind and rainfall on the main screen

Safari and Wallet improvements

The Wallet app will get the option to add custom tickets, gift cards and entry passes. It will also help you split the bill between multiple people (this will also work through Messages).

Safari is getting a new start page that streamlines access to your bookmarks, favorites, reading lists and browsing history. It will also use AI to help you organize your tabs and group them by category.

watchOS 27

The new OS for Apple Watches will have an updated Modular watch face with complications that display your heart rate monitoring status and fitness tracking. There will be AI-powered health features too and camera-based workout monitoring.

Source (paywall) | Via