Apple introduces year-based version numbers for software updates

In a shift aimed at clarifying its software naming conventions, Apple Inc. is expected to announce significant changes at its Worldwide Developers Conference scheduled for June 9, 2025. The well-known technology company plans to unify their operating systems by adopting a year-based versioning system. This means the upcoming iOS will be labeled as iOS 26 instead of the now familiar iOS 19, reflecting the last two digits of the year 2026. This change is part of an ongoing effort to simplify what has become a confusing array of version numbers across various Apple products, including iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. The current naming system has resulted in inconsistencies that do not correspond with the actual release chronology of the operating systems. The last major update to Apple's version identification occurred in 2020, transitioning from the long utilized 'macOS X' format to macOS 11. Prospective changes not only include the new numbering system but also a comprehensive visual overhaul of the interfaces that will align better with the design aesthetics introduced with Apple's visionOS in 2024. The proposed updates promise to enhance user experience by potentially including improvements like a new multitasking feature for the iPad akin to that of Mac systems. Apple's aim appears to be to streamline branding and communication, making it easier for users to identify the most current software versions. While the software ecosystem undergoes this transition, it remains notable that the iPhone model names such as iPhone 16 and its upcoming successor do not seem to follow this new numbering approach, at least not at this time, as there's no confirmation on renaming them to reflect the year-based system.