Yearly, as Apple’s WWDC approaches, hypothesis about what new merchandise could arrive alongside all the massive software program bulletins. Whereas sources declare that Apple has been engaged on a brand new interface for iOS, macOS, and different working programs, we haven’t heard a lot about new {hardware} coming at WWDC.
There are rumors about merchandise within the works—most notably new Macs and the “HomePad” sensible residence hub—however the actuality is, if you happen to’re anticipating to see new {hardware} at WWDC 2025, you’re prone to be disenchanted.
WWDC is a software program occasion
Traditionally, WWDC is an occasion targeted virtually totally on software program. In spite of everything, it’s a convention for builders. Yearly, Apple not solely reveals its plans for the way forward for its working programs on the occasion, but in addition offers builders early entry to new APIs and frameworks. This permits them to start out optimizing their apps for the brand new platforms months forward of public releases.
Whereas there have been occasional {hardware} bulletins, resembling the unique HomePod, the transition to Apple silicon in 2020, and the primary have a look at the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional in 2023, these moments had been tightly linked to developer wants.
This 12 months, rumors recommend that Apple has been engaged on new {hardware} merchandise that could possibly be an excellent match for WWDC, but it surely doesn’t appear to be they’ll be prepared in time for this 12 months’s occasion. Right here’s why.
HomePad: Delayed
In an effort to take HomeKit to the subsequent stage, Apple has been engaged on a sensible residence hub with a built-in display screen for a number of years. The concept is to let customers simply management their HomeKit equipment, resembling lamps, heaters, and robotic vacuum cleaners, even when their telephone isn’t round. Whereas the precise title of the gadget is unclear, stories declare it would mix elements of the HomePod and iPad in a single product targeted on the sensible residence, so it’s been dubbed HomePad.
Apple is reportedly making a brand new sensible residence hub that mixes an iPad with a HomePod, but it surely’s doubtless not transport for some time.
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Together with the sensible residence capabilities, HomePad will reportedly additionally operate as an Apple TV-like leisure gadget so customers can stream video and music, or make FaceTime calls from its built-in digicam. Primarily, it is going to be a house companion gadget that’s both mounted to a wall or sits in a dock.
Whereas the HomePad was as soon as anticipated to launch within the spring, latest stories declare the mission is delayed, presumably till 2026. The primary cause is because of a deep integration with Apple Intelligence and the brand new Siri expertise, which have been beset with points.
It’s doable that Apple offers a sneak peek of HomePad at WWDC, because it did with HomePod and Imaginative and prescient Professional, however most stories say Apple is targeted on fixing Siri first.
M5 Macs and iPads: Not but
WWDC has been a scorching spot for brand spanking new Macs in recent times, with Apple Silicon, the redesigned M2 MacBook Air, and the M2 Extremely chip all making their debuts at WWDC.
As such, there was hypothesis about whether or not Apple will announce any new Mac {hardware} at WWDC. Apart from the Mac Professional, which hasn’t seen any updates since 2022, Apple has already accomplished the transition of all the Mac lineup to the M4 chip, launched final 12 months with the iPad Professional.
In principle, this might imply that Apple will transfer onto the subsequent era of chips at WWDC, however don’t depend on it. Apple sometimes unveils the primary new Macs with the subsequent era of chips within the fall, round October and November. And in accordance with a number of sources within the business, this would be the case as soon as once more this 12 months. A brand new iPad Professional with the M5 chip and M5 MacBook Professional are stated to be on monitor for the second half of 2025.
It’s doable that Apple unveils a brand new high-end chip for the getting old Mac Professional, however most stories declare that Apple will hold the present mannequin round till the M5 Extremely arrives.
May the M5 debut at WWDC? It’s not going.
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iPhone 17: Coming in September
Though up to now Apple has launched new iPhone fashions at WWDC, it’s been greater than a decade since an iPhone mannequin debuted on the occasion. In addition to, the iPhone 16e solely simply arrived in March, and the iPhone 17 lineup will arrive in September.
One of many principal causes is that the brand new iPhone all the time ships with the brand new model of iOS introduced at WWDC, so Apple wants time to check and refine the brand new software program earlier than launching the brand new telephone. So if you happen to’re planning to purchase an iPhone 17, you’ll have to attend till September not less than.
Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional 2: Possibly subsequent 12 months
The primary Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional is decidedly a developer gadget. It was introduced at WWDC 2023 however didn’t ship till 2024, primarily so builders had time to construct new apps for the headset. And with a $3,499 price ticket, it’s nonetheless mainly a developer equipment.
The present Imaginative and prescient Professional is powered by the M2 chip, which some customers could take into account outdated for a product that prices $3,500. Though Apple is rumored to be engaged on an up to date Imaginative and prescient Professional with an M5 chip inside, this mannequin is unlikely to reach earlier than subsequent 12 months.
In accordance with a report from The Data, Apple has reportedly put aside the Imaginative and prescient Professional 2 mission to work on a extra inexpensive model of its combined actuality headset, however that mannequin isn’t anticipated to ship for some time both. So whereas we’ll get a have a look at the brand new visionOS software program, the identical {hardware} is probably going sticking round for not less than one other 12 months.
WWDC will doubtless be very software-centric this 12 months.
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What to anticipate as an alternative at WWDC 2025?
As soon as once more, this WWDC will probably be all about software program and companies, so count on main updates throughout all Apple platforms.
From iOS 19 to macOS 16 (or presumably iOS 26 and macOS 26), Apple’s working programs will probably be up to date with a brand new, extra trendy interface. Sources imagine that the brand new design language will probably be much like what Apple launched with visionOS, which has extra depth and shadows slightly than a totally flat interface.
Apple can also be rumored to be engaged on new options to make iPadOS extra much like macOS, in addition to additional bettering Apple Intelligence and the Siri expertise. So there will probably be a lot to get enthusiastic about at WWDC 2025, but it surely virtually actually gained’t contain any new gadgets.
WWDC 2025 kicks off on June 9 with a gap keynote. Make sure you comply with Macworld’s full protection of the occasion.
