With the WWDC 26 keynote just hours away, the main story this year is expected to be Siri and its Gemini-powered revamp. But if the rumors hold up, Apple will have more than that in store across iOS 27 and its other operating systems. Here’s what to expect.
New Siri app
If you managed to skip the rumor mill over the past several months, Apple is reportedly planning to announce a completely revamped, Google Gemini-powered Siri for iOS 27.
According to Bloomberg, Siri will get its own app, with a behavior and interface similar to ChatGPT and other chatbot apps. The app will offer chat history (with auto-delete settings), voice-based interactions, and the ability to upload photos and files.
That said, not everything may be available on day one. According to reports, Apple could launch the new Siri as a “beta,” with some features initially limited through a waitlist.
Shortcuts upgrade
Despite being a powerful automation tool, Shortcuts still hasn’t caught on with less technically savvy users.
Today, Apple will reportedly announce a revamped Shortcuts interface built around natural language, allowing users to describe what they want to do and have Shortcuts figure out the right workflow to make that happen.
Recently, Federico Viticci of MacStories announced a fantastic project called Shortcuts Playgrounds, built around a similar idea. But having a native, natural-language-based interface in Shortcuts could be the missing link for millions of users who are about to discover just how powerful automation can be on their devices.
Liquid Glass revamp on macOS 27
While most of Apple’s attention with last year’s Liquid Glass revamp went to iOS 26, many macOS users felt the company didn’t give the Mac the same level of care it gave the iPhone.
For macOS 27, which some believe might be called Big Bear, Apple is reportedly preparing a more focused visual update rather than a major redesign, bringing the Mac closer to the broader Liquid Glass design language Apple introduced across its platforms last year.
Improved heart rate monitoring on watchOS 27
For watchOS 27, in addition to a new Modular watch face, Bloomberg says the company will introduce “improvements to heart-rate tracking,” and “fitness tracking.”
This means that in addition to the current features and measurements, such as ECG, high and low heart rate alerts, and irregular rhythm notifications, Apple will further explore the heart data watchOS collects to offer even deeper insights into the user’s health.
This could bring the Apple Watch closer to devices such as Garmin, WHOOP, Oura, Fitbit, and others that place greater emphasis on HRV-based recovery and readiness, for instance. Currently, the Apple Watch records HRV (Heart Rate Variability), but its use of this information is rather limited compared with the competition.
Tim Cook’s last WWDC
Apple announced earlier this year that starting September 1, 2026, John Ternus will succeed Tim Cook as the company’s CEO. Cook, meanwhile, is set to become the company’s Executive Chairman.
Considering that the iPhone event typically takes place during the second week of September, this means that today will likely be Cook’s last event as Apple’s CEO.
And while neither Apple nor Cook himself is likely to dwell on that too much, it would make sense for the company to briefly acknowledge the transition and frame the handoff as the beginning of a new chapter, not just for Apple’s operating systems, but for Apple itself.
Bonus: Yes, lots and lots of AI
From improved generative models in Image Playground to a more prominent role for Genmoji, more capable and streamlined AI-assisted writing tools, and a new Siri button in the Camera app for Visual Intelligence, AI is expected to be one of the biggest themes of this year’s WWDC.
While there is definitely too much hype around anything AI-related, it is also true that, when done well and implemented correctly, these features can help users with everyday tasks.
With today’s event, Apple has a chance to repair some of the public perception damage it made during WWDC24, when it announced features it hasn’t delivered to date. Whether it will deliver on today’s new promises remains to be seen.
For ongoing updates and full coverage of WWDC26, head over to our news hub.
What are your expectations for WWDC? Let us know in the comments.
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