Apple’s WWDC 2026 keynote is just hours away, and all signs point to one of the company’s most important software events in years. The biggest focus will likely be a completely rebuilt Siri powered by Google’s Gemini AI, but Apple is also expected to announce major updates for iOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and more.
Here’s a look at the biggest things to expect from today’s WWDC keynote.
Table of contents
1. A Completely New Siri Powered by Gemini
The headline announcement is expected to be Apple’s new AI-powered Siri.
According to multiple reports, Apple has rebuilt Siri around Google Gemini models, giving the assistant more natural conversations, better context awareness, and the ability to handle more complex requests. Users may also get a dedicated Siri app that works similarly to ChatGPT and other AI assistants.
Expected features include:
- Chat-style conversations
- Voice and text interactions
- Photo and file uploads
- Conversation history
- Cross-device syncing
Reports also suggest Apple could launch the new Siri as a beta and require a waitlist for some users when iOS 27 arrives later this year.
2. Shortcuts Gets an AI Upgrade
Apple is also expected to make Shortcuts much easier to use.
Instead of manually building automation workflows, users may simply describe what they want in natural language. The system would then create the shortcut automatically.
For example, users could type:
- “Create a morning routine.”
- “Turn on Focus mode when I arrive at work.”
- “Save screenshots to a folder and rename them.”
Apple has pushed automation for years, but this update could finally make Shortcuts accessible to everyday users.
3. iOS 27 Will Focus on AI
While iOS 27 may not bring a dramatic redesign, it is expected to introduce several AI-focused improvements across the system. Reports describe the update as a refinement release with meaningful quality-of-life changes rather than a major visual overhaul.
Expected additions include:
- Smarter writing tools
- Improved Genmoji
- Better Image Playground features
- Visual Intelligence upgrades
- New AI-powered search experiences
Apple needs a strong showing here after facing criticism for announcing AI features in previous years that took much longer to arrive.
4. macOS 27 Gets a Refined Liquid Glass Design
Apple introduced its Liquid Glass design language last year, but many Mac users felt macOS did not receive the same level of attention as iOS.
That could change with macOS 27.
Reports suggest Apple will further refine the visual experience and bring the Mac closer to the design language used across its other platforms. The update is expected to focus on polish and consistency rather than a complete redesign.
There is also speculation that macOS 27 could carry the name Big Bear or Emerald, though Apple has not confirmed anything yet.
Apple Silicon Only
Another important change is compatibility.
macOS 27 is expected to drop support for Intel Macs and become the first major macOS release designed exclusively for Apple silicon Macs.
5. watchOS 27 Could Deliver Better Health Insights
Apple Watch remains one of Apple’s most important products, and watchOS 27 is expected to bring new health and fitness features.
Bloomberg reports point to:
- Improved heart-rate tracking
- Enhanced fitness metrics
- New health insights
- A new Modular watch face
Apple already collects data such as heart rate and Heart Rate Variability (HRV). The company could now use that information more effectively to provide recovery and wellness insights similar to competitors like Garmin, Fitbit, WHOOP, and Oura.
6. AI Will Be Everywhere
Beyond Siri, AI is expected to appear throughout Apple’s software lineup.
Several reports indicate Apple Intelligence will receive major upgrades across:
- Writing tools
- Image generation
- Photo editing
- Visual Intelligence
- System-wide search
- Developer tools
Wall Street analysts and industry watchers view this year’s WWDC as a crucial moment for Apple’s AI strategy.
7. Tim Cook’s Final WWDC as CEO
Today’s keynote will also mark the end of an era.
Apple previously announced that John Ternus will become CEO on September 1, while Tim Cook transitions to Executive Chairman. That makes WWDC 2026 likely Cook’s final developer conference keynote as Apple’s chief executive.
Cook has opened nearly every WWDC keynote for more than a decade, so many Apple fans will be watching closely to see whether the company acknowledges the leadership transition during the presentation.
Will Apple Announce New Hardware?
A hardware surprise cannot be ruled out, but expectations remain low.
Most reports suggest WWDC 2026 will stay focused on software, AI, and Apple Intelligence. Some rumors claim Apple has hardware ready to launch, but the company appears more interested in showcasing its AI roadmap first.
Wrap-Up
The biggest story at WWDC 2026 is simple: Apple needs to show that its AI strategy is finally ready. A Gemini-powered Siri, smarter Apple Intelligence features, AI-powered Shortcuts, and deeper software integration are expected to dominate the keynote. Alongside that, today’s event carries extra significance as Tim Cook prepares for his final WWDC appearance as CEO.
