Apple is reportedly going to rename all of its operating systems.

[pm-r]

Here we go again, but maybe this will help narrow any confusion as to the particular features Apple's OS is able to provide for a user.

I wonder if it will change what the ”About This Mac" window will say after a possible update to include the changes.



- Patrick
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[Raz0rEdge]

The renaming just means that you'll know when an OS came out and if iOS, tvOS, macOS, watchOS, iPadOS all come out in one year, they'll all have the same number.

It doesn't indicate what features they specifically support or anything.

I wouldn't call this a huge branding thing.

 

[Rod]

Yes, I only heard about this yesterday, one of our users mentioned iOS 19 was to become iOS 26. News to me.

Apple iOS Year Change​

Apple is reportedly planning to change the numbering system for its operating systems, including iOS, to reflect the year of release instead of the version number. This means the next major release will be iOS 26, not iOS 19, as it will be released in 2026. The change aims to bring consistency and clarity to Apple's branding, aligning all operating systems with the same naming scheme. This new system will apply to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS, with the updates expected to be announced at WWDC 2025 on June 9.

 

[Rod]

I don't suppose it will be retrospective? I frequently have to look up the year of OS releases just to compare to the device. Would have been helpful if they'd done this 10 years ago but, good idea going forward.

 

[toMACsh]

Yes, they should have done this when they changed from Mac OS to macOS.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

I don't suppose it will be retrospective? I frequently have to look up the year of OS releases just to compare to the device. Would have been helpful if they'd done this 10 years ago but, good idea going forward.

No, version changes are generally forward looking changes, not backward.

 

[RadDave]

Hmmm - will Apple after the number change continue to use California place names for their macOS upgrades?

 

[Sawday]

With so many Apple products being made in China I trust someone there will be using the Western Calendar not the Chinese one .

 

[Slydude]

I don't suppose it will be retrospective? I frequently have to look up the year of OS releases just to compare to the device. Would have been helpful if they'd done this 10 years ago but, good idea going forward.

Did you by chance mean retractive instead of retrospective?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Did you by chance mean retractive instead of retrospective?

retroactive you mean.

Hmmm - will Apple after the number change continue to use California place names for their macOS upgrades?

Perhaps, nothing stopping them from going with macOS 25 San Jose and macOS 26 Oakland or just finally stop having to find places and just stuck with the year. That way, it's easier to talk about all the OS' without having to single out any of them.

 

[toMACsh]

Since every new OS version is the worst one ever, they could go with macOS 26 Dumpster Fire, macOS 27 Unnatural Disaster, etc.

 

[Slydude]

retroactive you mean.

One more bit of evidence that I can't type. Or proofread apparently.

 

[toMACsh]

One more bit of evidence that I can't type. Or proofread apparently.

…or remember to blame Spell Check!

 

[pm-r]

…or remember to blame Spell Check!

Maybe time to give the free Grammarly a try... ?

It seems to work quite well for grammar and spelling, even if I do miss or ignore some of its flag warnings...



- Patrick
=======

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Since every new OS version is the worst one ever...

If you are salty about change, get your typewriter warmed up to complain to Apple. Because the rumor is that they aren't just going to change the name of the Mac OS, there will be a major interface (GUI) change revealed this month.

You might guess that they would be making the Mac OS more like the iPhone OS, but no, the rumor is that they will be adapting the Apple Vision Pro GUI to the Macintosh!

Cut and paste:
"OMG! Steve Jobs never would have done this! Apple is surely going to go under because of this!"

 

[Rod]

This is what I found and I cant say I'm surprised about the focus on Apple Vision, I think that may be the future of the iPhone.

Mac OS Interface Change​

"Apple is planning a significant redesign of macOS with version 16, which is expected to bring the most substantial visual refresh since macOS Big Sur was introduced in 2020. The redesign aims to create a more consistent interface across all of Apple's platforms, including iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro. This overhaul will update the style of icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons throughout the system.
According to reports, the redesign is loosely based on the Vision Pro's software interface but adapted for traditional displays. However, some immersive elements from the Vision Pro experience won't translate to the 2D world of macOS.
Alan Dye, who played a crucial role in crafting iOS 7's revolutionary redesign in 2013, is overseeing software design for this project. The redesign is a major focus for Apple's software engineering organization and user interface team within its design group.
Apple plans to unveil macOS 16 alongside iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, with a public release likely following in the fall. This redesign is part of Apple's efforts to reinvigorate consumer interest and maintain separate operating systems for Macs and iPads while encouraging consumers to purchase both types of devices.
Additionally, macOS 16 is expected to introduce several new features, such as Stage Manager 2.0 upgrades, Vehicle Motion Cues, and improvements in connecting to captive Wi-Fi networks."
AI-generated answer. Please verify critical facts.

I've read a few articles lately pointing to Vision Pro as the next step in portable communication devices and frankly I hope it doesnt happen too soon. What I've got today is perfectly fine with me.

 

[Rod]

We’re not quite up to Neural Implants yet but that's where we're heading. I imagine a pair of glasses comete with ear Mike's with a sort of superimposed HUD built in where we can initiate actions with hand gestures or eye movement. I'm just not ready for that yet. Still I doubt if I'll live long enough to see it.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

We’re not quite up to Neural Implants yet but that's where we're heading.

It's only a matter of time before computers get small and light enough for wearable computing to become a thing. It doesn't take much imagination to see how useful that will be. A technician will have a repair manual superimposed on whatever it is that they are fixing. Your map app will overlay on top of reality. Communications will be hands-free.

The best example of this that I've seen is the movie Her:

 

[Rod]

Yep, it's coming.