Annual developer conferences aren’t always the most glamorous events, but Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is a lot more interesting than, say, Microsoft Build.
WWDC 2026 will be one of the most interesting Apple events in years, and we expect big announcements related to Siri, iOS 27, and the future of Apple Intelligence. Not only that, but this is Tim Cook’s last WWDC as CEO of Apple.
The big event is just a few days away, and we have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Of course, we don’t know what we don’t know, and we have a few burning questions.
When is WWDC 2026?
WWDC 2026 is scheduled to take place from June 8-12 at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. WWDC will kick off with a “Special Event” keynote scheduled for June 8 at 10 am PT. You’ll be able to stream the show live on Apple’s website and on YouTube. Most of the big announcements usually happen at this keynote, although Apple will be holding developer events throughout the week.
You can also join us at the CNET WWDC live stream watch party for coverage of the big news and announcements.
Mashable will be covering all the announcements on our site and in a dedicated live blog, so check back on Monday for more.
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AI Siri makes her grand entrance (no, really this time)
The long-promised fix to Siri – which Apple has been teasing and delaying since the initial announcements of Apple Intelligence – is expected to be front and center at WWDC 2026. Apple first promised an AI version of Siri two years ago, and had to settle a $250 million class action lawsuit when it failed to deliver (Apple didn’t agree, in any case).
AppleInsider reported that the update, codenamed “Campo” inside, will give Siri an interface closer to what you’d expect from ChatGPT or Claude. More chat, chatbot-style that Apple has been quietly building towards. We know that the new, smarter Siri will be powered by Google Gemini, Apple tapped Nvidia to power the computer. Given Apple’s complicated history with AI-powered Siri, Mashable’s Chris Taylor wonders if a live demo of AI Siri is in store for WWDC.
Apple is also rumored to release a standalone Siri app at WWDC 2026. And Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman – the source of all iOS 27 and Siri rumors – predicts that the WWDC 2026 promotional artwork gives us a glimpse of what the new Siri will look like. To promote the event, Apple used bright images, neon lights, and a frame of doves and the phrase “All systems shine.”
Could this glowing dove be a clue about the new Siri app logo?
Credit: Apple
In addition to the potential app, Gurman says Siri will have a big presence on the iPhone’s Dynamic Island.
So, was the new AI Siri hint hiding in plain sight all along? Will the Dynamic Island light up and glow when Siri is listening or responding to users? We should find out that you arrived on June 8th.
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Credit: Apple
Credit: Apple
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Big changes are coming to iOS 27
In November 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman broke the news that iOS 27 was positioned as Apple’s “Snow Leopard” moment – a throwback to the 2009 release of Mac OS X that famously featured a “nothing new” marketing campaign that laid the foundation for every update since.
As Gurman explains, Apple’s engineering teams “use Apple’s applications, hunting for bloat to be cut, bugs to be eliminated, and any opportunity to increase efficiency and overall quality.” Motivation is not difficult to understand. Since the release of iOS 26, users have reported a long list of complaints, including unexplained battery drains, UI issues, and keyboard issues. Liquid Glass has also proven to be a hot topic on the internet, as iPhones are more popular than ever.
So, with iOS 27, we expect Apple to address some of these issues with UI updates, simplifications, and possibly some tweaks to the Liquid Glass customization settings. In addition, we are looking for new features of iOS 27 such as:
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New AI image editing tools and text generation tools
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An update to Apple Wallet that allows people to split bills more easily
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Camera and photo app updates
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Custom widgets in the Camera app
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Image Playground and Genmoji updates
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A new “Weather” panel in the Weather app
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Ability to select third-party AI models to power Apple Intelligence features
What about Apple Intelligence updates?
In addition to the Siri overhaul, Gurman reported that Apple is integrating more Apple Intelligence features into additional apps throughout iOS 27, and we expect macOS 27, iPad OS 27, and watchOS to get the same treatment.
The most interesting addition: a health-focused AI agent tied to the Health+ subscription, which is expected to arrive next fall. There are also reports of Apple’s AI-powered web search expansion, putting Apple in direct competition with both ChatGPT and Perplexity.
Gurman also revealed that Apple was internally testing a full-fledged chatbot app called Veritas, which is described as a text-based proof-of-concept for a redesigned Siri. Apple reportedly has no plans to release Veritas as a standalone product.
Don’t forget about other OS!
Credit: Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Although the new version of iOS is often the headlines after WWDC, we also expect to read about the latest updates watchOS 27, tvOS 27, macOS 27, VisionOS 27again iPadOS 27.
Last year, iPadOS 26 introduced major new multitasking features such as windows and task menus. According to Cult of Mac, Apple will also take a bug-hunting approach with iPads, improving the multitasking experience and windows. We also expect Liquid Glass to receive minor tweaks.
As for macOS, we expect the launch of yet another California-themed name (last year it was Tahoe), as well as general improvements to the user experience. Rumor has it that Intel-era Macs will no longer be supported with this update, according to Mac Rumors.
First confirmation of iPhone Ultra?
Maybe this is wishful thinking, but we’re hoping to get the first glimpse (and official confirmation) of the foldable iPhone we all know Apple is building. The phone has leaked a lot online in recent months, and it is rumored to be called the iPhone Fold Ultra. Usually, Apple releases new smartphones at its September iPhone event, but if Apple plans to release the iPhone Fold in the fall (and all signs point to yes), then iOS 27 must have been built with a foldable device in mind.
Indeed, according to Gurman, iOS 27 is intended to prepare Apple’s software stack for a foldable future. For example, a leak on Weibo says that iOS 27 will release “Parallel View” in landscape mode, allowing users to open two windows or apps at the same time.
Everything we know about iOS 27 ahead of WWDC 2026: Siri gets the light, literally
The status of Tim Cook
No WWDC preview would be complete without a word about Apple’s leadership.
Apple confirmed earlier this year that Tim Cook will officially pass the CEO torch to John Ternus, Apple’s SVP of Hardware Engineering. That means this is the last WWDC of the Tim Cook era. Ternus is best known for shepherding the transition to Apple silicon and M series processors, among other accomplishments (he’s been at Apple for a long time).
It’s possible that Ternus will have more visibility at the event, as the future CEO is taking over the iPhone launch event in September.
We wouldn’t be surprised if WWDC included some sort of tribute or farewell to Cook. The CEO had great success running Apple, which he took over from Steve Jobs himself in 2011. Apple is now a world-famous brand, and many Apple fans will be watching closely to see how Cook closes this chapter in Apple’s history.
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