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Studies earlier this 12 months mentioned Apple is about to drop large redesigns for iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16. The iPhone is predicted to get the most important software program design change in years, with Apple supposedly going for a visionOS-inspired look for the iPhone. Components of that new design can even come to the iPad and Mac.
In gentle of the unexpected Apple Intelligence disaster, a giant iPhone redesign might sound to some individuals like Apple’s means of fixing the narrative. Reasonably than deal with delayed AI options come June, WWDC 2025 might deal with the model new coat of paint coming to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
As disillusioned as I’m with how Apple has dealt with the event and particularly advertising of Apple Intelligence, I don’t assume the iOS 19 redesign is coming to make us overlook in regards to the AI mess at Apple. You may’t redesign a complete working system, not to mention three, simply to masks the Apple Intelligence failure and assume followers will overlook. (Additionally, we gained’t overlook this huge fumble anytime quickly.)
The iOS 19 redesign should have began way back, and all of it is smart, given Mark Gurman’s newest report. It’s all about the way forward for Apple’s merchandise, particularly the upcoming foldable iPad. iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 will additional repair the software program issues Apple wants to resolve earlier than it will probably launch a foldable pc we’d really think about shopping for.
I wrote late final Might that foldable MacBook rumors make iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 even more exciting. This was earlier than WWDC 2024, and I used to be mentioning the massive software program points with iPadOS and macOS on the subject of foldable computer systems:
What’s fascinating in regards to the two foldable MacBook leaks [in May 2024] is that they each targeted on {hardware}. However one other key growth must occur for us to get to a foldable Apple laptop computer/pill contraption. The working system wants to vary. iPadOS has to behave extra like macOS. Or macOS must get a unique consumer interface permitting contact controls.
It seems I used to be a few 12 months too early with my pleasure, contemplating Gurman’s newest tackle iOS 19 software program. Additionally, that “foldable MacBook” I used to be speaking about is now routinely referred to as the “foldable iPad.” This indicators the underlying software program can be iPadOS reasonably than macOS. However contemplating the massive redesign coming to Apple’s opertaing programs this 12 months, it gained’t matter what sort of OS runs on the foldable iPad.
Gurman wrote in his Power On newsletter that Apple is “planning probably the most dramatic overhauls to iOS, iPadOS and the Mac working system in its historical past.”
It’s not simply the design, as earlier rumors led us to imagine. It’s additionally how iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 behave:
The modifications will go properly past a recent coat of paint and alter the way in which individuals work together with their units for a few years to return. The revamp spans each the software program’s interface — the way it seems — and the expertise — the way it works — and can be a daring transfer given the corporate has greater than 2 billion units in energetic use.
Gurman says that the three working programs will certainly be impressed by visionOS:
That features higher transparency and new forms of home windows and buttons — and that ought to make all Apple units really feel extra constant and acquainted.
That is the place Gurman drops the foldables connection:
Executives say the aim is to make the working programs less complicated to make use of, quicker to navigate, and simpler to study. The software program must also set the stage for brand spanking new {hardware} designs, together with foldable units and touch-screen Macs. And it must adapt to an period dominated by synthetic intelligence assistants reasonably than individuals regularly dipping out and in of functions.
I’ve been a longtime iPhone consumer, and I believe it’s moderately simple to get used to macOS after first being an iOS consumer or vice versa. That’s though macOS is a real desktop working system in comparison with iOS and iPadOS.
However the iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 upgrades would possibly make the three working programs look extra related than earlier than. If Apple can even make iPadOS 19 behave extra like macOS 16 by way of multitasking, it should virtually clear up its primary software program issues regarding a foldable iPad.
That machine needs to be considerably costlier than a daily MacBook or the iPad Professional. Rumors say we’re a foldable 18.8-inch show for this pc, so the working system have to be optimized for contact. That’s why iPadOS makes extra sense and why this foldable pc will in all probability be referred to as a foldable iPad reasonably than a foldable Mac.
However iPadOS is unsuitable for actual pc use as it’s immediately. It wants a large overhaul to make customers care a few foldable iPad that may in all probability retail north of $2,500. I’m speculating on the value right here primarily based on rumors that the foldable iPhone may cost a little as much as $2,500.
I don’t count on iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 to deliver over all of the modifications Apple must make that foldable iPad compelling. However the foldable iPad isn’t coming subsequent 12 months. Gurman doesn’t point out the bigger foldable in his Bloomberg protection. He does say {that a} foldable iPhone will launch subsequent 12 months.
Most rumors say the foldable iPad will observe the foldable iPhone. Suppose 2027 or 2028. This could give Apple extra time to iron out the software program following the massive redesign coming with iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16.
