WWDC 2025: Apple's Big Software Rebrand Means iOS 26, macOS 26 Are Coming

 Apple is reportedly skipping a bunch of numbers and jumping straight to "26" for its next major software updates. Yep, instead of the expected iOS 19, we're apparently getting iOS 26 this fall. This applies across the board – iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 are also expected. This wild move is expected to be announced at WWDC on June 9th.

So, what's the tea? Why the big leap? According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the main goal is to bring consistency to Apple's branding and ditch a system that can be confusing for both customers and developers. Right now, platforms like iOS (at 18), watchOS (at 12), macOS (at 15), and visionOS (at 2) have different version numbers because they didn't launch at the same time. This new yearly naming system aims to make things uniform.

Apple is reportedly taking a page out of other industries' playbooks. It's similar to how car manufacturers name their models after the upcoming year. Microsoft did it with Windows 95. Samsung did it by jumping from the Galaxy S10 to the S20 in 2020. Even though the software update is expected to drop in the fall of 2025, it will be named for 2026. This kind of "plus one" approach is reportedly what's happening here. Reports even suggest Apple spent a good chunk of change ($25 million through McKinsey) on consumer testing for this rebrand. This naming shift is also expected to coincide with a major visual overhaul of the operating systems, drawing inspiration from visionOS to create a more unified look and feel across devices.

So, what's the impact on you, the user?

• Easier to tell what's current: The year number should make it pretty straightforward to know if your device is running the latest software.
• Unified Vibe: It'll be clearer which OS versions across different devices belong to the same annual release cycle since they'll all share the '26' number. This might make cross-platform APIs easier for developers, too.
• Less Confusion (Eventually): The different numbers across platforms are intended to be a thing of the past.

But, low-key, there are some potential rough patches:

• The Number Leap: Jumping from, say, iOS 18 or 19 directly to 26 is going to feel... random. It's going to make people wonder, "Uh, where did 19 through 25 go?". It feels "clunky and weird" to just arbitrarily jump numbers like that.
• The iPhone/iOS Mismatch: This is the big one. How are you going to have the expected "iPhone 17" running "iOS 26"?. Seriously, "What the f*ck," one source exclaimed, feeling like they're "taking crazy pills". This mismatch is seen as awkward and a "total mindfuck". Some sources speculate that Apple might have to rename the iPhone lineup to match the software year, though that could negatively impact the hardware's resale value.
• Timing Shenanigans: The '26' software launches in late 2025. While the car analogy exists, some might still find it counter-intuitive to have a '26' product available in '25.
• Potential for Bug Fixing: One comment noted that this annual naming scheme might make it harder for Apple to take a year off to focus purely on bug fixes.

In short, Apple is reportedly making a major branding play by shifting to year-based OS names starting with "26" for the updates coming later in 2025. This is all about consistency and simplifying things over the long haul. While it might make it easier to see which software is the latest and how platforms align, the initial skip in numbers and the potential awkwardness of an "iPhone 17" running "iOS 26" could definitely cause some head-scratching at first.

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Apple Acquires Its First Game Studio, Bolstering Apple Arcade with Sneaky Sasquatch Developer

 In a significant, albeit small-scale, move for its gaming ambitions, Apple has officially acquired RAC7, the two-person studio behind the popular Apple Arcade title, Sneaky Sasquatch. This marks the first time Apple has purchased a video game developer in its history.

RAC7 is known for indie games such as Dark Echo and Splitter Critters, but Sneaky Sasquatch has been a breakout hit for both the developer and the Apple Arcade service since its launch in 2019. The adventure game quickly became a favorite, particularly among young players, has received regular updates, and frequently ranks at the top of the Apple Arcade charts. Apple Arcade Senior Director Alex Rofman previously highlighted Sneaky Sasquatch as a major success story, noting its popularity even led to kids wanting birthday parties themed around the game.

While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, Apple has confirmed the acquisition and stated that the two-person RAC7 team has joined Apple to continue their work on Sneaky Sasquatch. The team will now operate as an internal studio within Apple.

Despite this milestone acquisition, Apple is characterizing the move as a "unique circumstance" rather than the beginning of a broader gaming acquisition spree or a shift towards entirely in-house development. An Apple spokesperson stated, "We love Sneaky Sasquatch and are excited that the 2-person RAC7 team has joined Apple to continue their work on it with us". They added that Apple "will continue to deliver a great experience for Apple Arcade players with hundreds of games from many of the best game developers in the world". Apple insists it will continue to work with third-party studios, both big and small, for both Apple Arcade and the App Store.

Nonetheless, the acquisition does signal that Apple remains committed to its Arcade service, which continues to release new games regularly. The sources note that while Apple possesses the resources to acquire much larger studios, purchasing a small team behind a highly successful Apple Arcade exclusive game sets a precedent. This move appears to be primarily aimed at ensuring the continued growth and development of a key title on the subscription service.

Beyond this acquisition, Apple's interest in gaming seems ongoing, with efforts to make its ecosystem more appealing to developers. Separately, it has been reported that Apple is planning a dedicated gaming app later this year, which could serve as a launcher and centralize features like achievements and leaderboards, potentially replacing the old Game Center. This rumored app, however, is distinct from the acquisition of RAC7.

The acquisition of RAC7, while unique in Apple's history, underscores the importance of standout titles like Sneaky Sasquatch to the Apple Arcade platform and Apple's strategy for nurturing its subscription services.

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Review: Apple Card Savings Account Navigates Falling Interest Rates

 Launched in April 2023 in partnership with Goldman Sachs, the Apple Card Savings Account was introduced as a high-yield savings option exclusively for Apple Card holders. The account allows users to earn interest on their funds, offering a rate significantly higher than the national average provided by many traditional banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Its integration within the Wallet app on the iPhone makes it a convenient place to automatically deposit Daily Cash rewards earned from Apple Card purchases.

 Users can also add funds from a linked bank account or their Apple Cash balance. The account is designed with no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements, though users must be U.S. residents and at least 18 years old to open one. Interest earned is compounded daily and paid out into the account at the end of each month. The maximum balance allowed in the account is 250,000.

A History of Fluctuating Rates

When it debuted in April 2023, the Apple Card Savings Account offered an annual percentage yield (APY) of 4.15%, a competitive rate at the time. The APY saw several increases, reaching 4.25% in December 2023, 4.35% in early January 2024, and peaking at 4.5% in late January 2024.

However, since that peak in early 2024, the trend has shifted towards decreases. The rate was cut to 4.4% in April 2024, 4.25% in late September, 4.10% in October, and 3.90% in December. The first cut of 2025 brought the rate down to 3.75% in March. Most recently, as of May 28, 2024 (or May 28, 2025 depending on the source date format), the rate was lowered again from 3.75% to 3.65%. This 3.65% APY marks an all-time low for the Apple Card Savings Account.

Why the Rate Cuts?

These interest rate adjustments are characteristic of financial institutions like Apple and Goldman Sachs, which periodically change rates based on overall economic conditions. Specifically, many of the rate cuts have been in response to U.S. Federal Reserve benchmark rate changes. This trend of falling interest rates is not unique to Apple; competitors are also experiencing declines. The new 3.65% rate currently matches the rate offered by Goldman Sachs' own Marcus savings account.

How Does it Compare Now?

While the rate has decreased significantly from its peak, it's still dramatically higher than the national average interest rate in the United States. A table from March 2025 shows the Apple Card Savings Account (then at 3.75%) being competitive with, or slightly above, rates offered by other popular high-yield savings accounts like Ally, Discover, American Express, and Capital One, all listed at 3.70% APY at that time. Marcus by Goldman Sachs also matched the 3.75% rate in March 2025.

However, other options listed offered higher rates even then, such as SoFi (3.80%), Barclays (ranging from 4.15% to 4.40% APY tiered), Wealthfront (4.00%), Robinhood (4.00% APY), CIT Bank (4.10%), Fierce (4.25%), Openbank by Santander (4.40%), and Pibank (4.60%). More recent discussions from Reddit mention rates as high as 4.5% with Robinhood Gold (though possibly promotional), 4.6% with SoFi (with direct deposit or $5,000 monthly deposit), and around 5-5.25% APY with banks like Jenius Bank, CIT Bank, and UFB Direct. Some accounts like Marcus also offer bonus rates through referrals.

With the current Apple rate at 3.65%, it sits below many of the higher-yielding options available, though it's still competitive with, or only slightly below, several others depending on specific promotional rates or requirements. Some users note that while the rate is lower than its peak, the difference might be minimal compared to the hassle of switching, especially since rates are generally declining across the board.

The Future of the Partnership

Adding another layer of uncertainty, there are reports that Goldman Sachs may end its consumer lending partnership with Apple earlier than planned. It is currently unclear what impact this might have on existing Apple Card holders and their savings accounts. Several companies, including Barclays, Synchrony, and JPMorgan Chase, are reportedly being considered as potential replacements for Goldman Sachs as Apple's financial partner.

Conclusion

The Apple Card Savings Account remains a convenient and accessible high-yield savings option deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, particularly useful for managing Daily Cash rewards. While its interest rate has dropped to an all-time low of 3.65% APY, following broader market trends and Federal Reserve actions, it still offers a significantly better return than standard savings accounts at large brick-and-mortar banks. For Apple Card users prioritizing ease of use within the Wallet app, it's a strong contender. However, those looking for the absolute highest possible yield may find better rates with other online-only banks or financial institutions, although these often come with their own requirements or different user experiences. The reported potential shift in Apple's financial partner also adds an element of future uncertainty.

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DIY iPad Repair Is Here: Apple Adds Tablets to Self Service Program

 Good news for do-it-yourselfers! Apple has recently announced a significant expansion to its Self Service Repair program, adding support for the iPad lineup for the first time. This move allows iPad owners who are comfortable undertaking their own device repairs to access the same resources used by Apple, including manuals, genuine Apple parts, Apple Diagnostics troubleshooting sessions, tools, and even rental toolkits.

The program is set to begin on May 29, 2025. Initially, it will support several recent iPad models: the iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad Pro (M4), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad (A16). Customers will be able to tackle common repair types such as display, battery, camera, and charging port repairs.

To use the service, a customer would first perform a self-diagnosis. Then, they can order the necessary parts and tools through a special online store. Notably, customers will need to return certain "core" parts, similar to how repair shops operate, to receive a credit towards the initial purchase price of the new part.

This expansion builds on Apple's Self Service Repair program, which first launched in 2022 (initially announced in November 2021 and launched in April 2022). The program was initially intended for iPhone repair, later expanding to Macs. With the addition of iPads, the Self Service Repair Store now supports a total of 65 Apple products, including models like the iPhone 16e, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio. Apple's Vice President of AppleCare, Brian Naumann, stated that the goal is to create products that last as long as possible and this expansion allows users to extend the life of their iPads without compromising safety, security, or privacy.

The program is currently available in the U.S. and Europe and is set to expand to Canada this summer, making it the 34th country to offer Self Service Repair.

Alongside the Self Service Repair expansion, Apple has also shared more details about its Genuine Parts Distributor program. This program is designed to broaden access for businesses that don't have a direct service relationship with Apple. Through third-party distributors like MobileSentrix in the U.S. and MobileSentrix and Mobileparts.shop in Europe, independent mobile repair professionals can order genuine Apple service parts and components. While the program already offers parts for iPhone repairs (displays, batteries, charging ports), iPad parts will also be available through this program starting tomorrow.

This comprehensive approach, including Self Service Repair for individuals, the Genuine Parts Distributor program for independent shops, and existing options like Apple Store locations, Authorized Service Providers, and mail-in repair centers, demonstrates Apple's efforts to accelerate its repair footprint and expand access to genuine parts, tools, and training. While some users have noted that Apple devices aren't designed for easy repair and have expressed desires for support for older models or changes to battery replacement policies, the availability of official resources for self-repair is seen as a benefit to those willing and able to tackle repairs themselves.

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EU Delivers Formal App Store Ruling: Apple Must Change Anti-Steering Rules or Face More Fines

 Brussels has spoken again, and the message to Apple is clear: your App Store rules in Europe are still not compliant with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission has published its complete 67-page ruling following a €500 million fine imposed on Apple in April. Apple now has until June 22 to fully align its App Store with the DMA's anti-steering provisions or face recurring financial penalties.

The core of the issue lies in Apple's anti-steering restrictions, which the Commission found continue to limit app developers' ability to inform users about alternative payment methods outside the App Store and facilitate transactions through external platforms. According to the ruling, these restrictions contravene Article 5(4) of the DMA, which requires designated gatekeepers like Apple to allow app developers to communicate freely with their users and offer competing payment systems without unfair conditions or excessive fees. The DMA came into force in November 2022 and became applicable to designated gatekeepers in 2023.

Apple had previously modified its business terms, allowing developers to add one external link per app to direct users to their own websites. These changes required developers to follow a standardized Apple-designed flow, including an interstitial warning screen before users are redirected. Additionally, Apple prohibited developers from pre-filling user-specific data, such as login credentials or purchase details, into the redirection URL.

However, the European Commission determined that Apple's implementation falls significantly short of the law's intent and legal requirements. Key findings in the ruling state that developers are still unable to promote alternative payment systems within their apps in a meaningful way. The structure imposed by Apple creates friction and discourages user redirection.

Specific non-compliant aspects highlighted by the Commission include:

• Apple's current terms (both the "New Business Terms" and the "New Music Streaming Business Terms") restrict developers' ability to communicate and promote offers within the app and conclude contracts, contrary to the DMA's requirement that developers should be free to engage in "any form of communication and conclusion of contracts".
• Restrictions on the destination page after a link-out, such as limiting links to only one URL per app (five for music streaming apps) and prohibiting the use of web view, are incompatible with the DMA's requirement to allow steering to any channel or form of communication.
• The mandatory disclosure sheet displayed before redirection is not neutral or objective and may deter end users from using alternative channels, making steering unduly difficult. The recurrent nature of this sheet after every link-out is also seen as an unjustified restriction.
• Prohibiting developers from including additional data in the URL restricts their ability to promote offers and conclude contracts, making the process unduly difficult for end users who have to re-enter information.
• Apple's imposition of a 27% commission on any digital purchases made through external websites linked from within an app is seen as undermining the concept of allowing free steering. This fee is only slightly lower than the standard 30% in-app purchase commission.

The Commission explicitly rejected Apple's argument that it was only required to "allow" steering, not "facilitate" it. The ruling states that Apple's technical and procedural barriers effectively discouraged developers from directing users to external purchasing options, violating the law. It also criticized Apple's claim that its measures were designed to protect user security and privacy, finding that Apple had not put forward convincing arguments or shown these restrictions were objectively necessary and proportionate.

Crucially, the Commission clarified that the DMA's "free of charge" requirement in Article 5(4) applies not only to the communication and promotion of offers but also to the conclusion of contracts following steering, regardless of where the contracts are concluded. The Commission stated that Apple's 27% commission fee for steered transactions is incompatible with this requirement because it cannot be considered merely remuneration for facilitating the initial acquisition of the end user by the developer. The notion of "initial acquisition" implies compensation linked in time to the initial matchmaking and not a recurrent fee applied indefinitely or to already acquired users.

Apple has been given until June 22 to rectify these issues. Failure to comply will result in "periodic penalty payments," the amount of which would be determined based on the seriousness of the infringement and Apple's revenue. Apple must also pay the initial €500 million fine by July 23 or begin accruing interest.

In response to the full ruling, Apple reiterated its stance in a statement, describing the European Commission's actions as unjustified and detrimental to users' privacy and security. Apple claimed the decision forces them to give away technology for free and is bad for innovation, competition, products, and users. Apple stated it will appeal the decision and continue engaging with the Commission to advocate for its European customers.

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