We’re less than three days until WWDC 2025, and Mark Gurman from Bloomberg already has a solid list of new features that Apple may announce then.
First, if you’re familiar with Preview on Mac, it’s a built-in application that lets you annotate/edit PDFs and even do basic markups on image files. Well, Gurman expects that application is making is way to both iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. Currently, if you want to view and edit PDFs, you would need to use the Files app, so bringing Preview to both iPhone and iPad will make it more convenient for users, especially if Apple wants to make the iPad a more capable laptop replacement or alternative.
Secondly, Messages is expected to get some fun features that have existed on other social media platforms such as Instagram and Discord. Messages on iOS 26 will have the ability to create polls as well as the option to change the background within a conversation, similar to Instagram DMs. These enhancements should always make their way to iPadOS 26 and macOS 26. The Phone app on iOS 26 is expected to get a significant UI revamp that will unify favorite contacts, calls, and voicemails in a single, scrollable window. But, users can always revert to the classic UI if they prefer (I just hope that Apple will do the same with the controversial Photos app).
Third, Apple has been pushing heavily in distributing games in Apple Arcade, but Apple is looking for ways to offer games outside the subscription. Gurman expects Apple to introduce a standalone Games app as the new one-stop add to find new games. It’d essentially be like the App Store, but all catered to only games.
Most prominently, we’ve been expecting a drastically new redesign to the GUI across all of Apple’s platforms for a more consistent appearance, and Gurman provides further design details that he expects, including:
- more use of light and transparency
- redesigned app icons, toolbars, tabs, and contextual menus
- redesigned Home Screen widgets
- redesigned Safari address bar that has a more glass-like appearance
Other enhancements Gurman expects are enhanced Genmoji generation, upgraded AI-powered Shortcuts app, and AI-powered battery charging features. However, he also expects these features to be delayed until next year, including revamped Calendar and Health apps.
All in all, this is shaping up to be a promising WWDC with lots of refinements across the board. WWDC 2025 will kick off on June 9 at 10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT. Appleosophy will provide live coverage on X and will have full all day coverage here, so make sure you check back here then.
