Apple is planning an enormous shakeup to its naming scheme for software program updates. Bloomberg reviews that this 12 months’s iOS replace gained’t be known as iOS 19 in any case. As an alternative, Apple is planning to name it “iOS 26” as a part of a brand new year-based naming technique.
Right here’s precisely what which means for all of Apple’s platforms …
iOS 26 (sure, actually)
What this implies is that at WWDC subsequent month Apple will announce the next new software program variations:
- iOS 26 (as a substitute of iOS 19)
- macOS 26 (as a substitute of macOS 16)
- iPadOS 26 (as a substitute of iPadOS 19)
- watchOS 26 (as a substitute of watchOS 12)
- tvOS 26 (as a substitute of tvOS 19)
- visionOS 26 (as a substitute visionOS 3)
Bloomberg explains that Apple is making this alteration to “convey consistency to its branding and transfer away from an method that may be complicated to prospects and builders.”
The branding alignment comes as Apple can also be reportedly planning dramatic redesigns for all of its platforms. The purpose appears to be to unify every part each when it comes to naming and design.
9to5Mac’s Take
My first response to this information was confusion. The extra I give it some thought, although, the extra it is smart. It’s all the time been tough to recollect model numbers throughout Apple’s platforms, particularly when the model numbers are shut, however not precisely the identical (assume iOS 18 vs macOS 15 vs watchOS 12). These numbers are simply shut sufficient to make you pause.
My second response to this information was: “Okay, so wouldn’t this 12 months’s replace be iOS 25, not iOS 26?” In spite of everything, the calendar at present says 2025.
Properly, it appears that evidently the mannequin Apple is following is identical one which automakers observe. For instance, the 2026 Toyota Tacoma will really begin delivery in direction of the tip of 2025.
My last thought is questioning whether or not the iPhone names will observe swimsuit. Would possibly we get the iPhone 26 this fall as a substitute of the iPhone 17? That doesn’t seem to be a loopy risk at this level.
My favourite iPhone equipment:
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