The WWDC 2026 keynote is nearly here, and this year’s edition carries extra significance: it marks Tim Cook’s final time hosting Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference. The outgoing CEO will lead a keynote packed with new software features spanning Siri, iOS, and Apple’s broader artificial intelligence ambitions — offering what may be a parting glimpse of his vision for the company.

For anyone wanting to follow along, here’s everything you need to know about how to watch and what Apple is expected to reveal.

When and How to Watch

The good news is that tuning in will be simple and free across multiple platforms.

The WWDC keynote kicks off on Monday, June 8, at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. Eastern). You’ll have several options for watching the livestream:

• Directly on Apple’s official WWDC website
• Live on YouTube
• Through the Apple TV app

Beyond the official stream, outlets like WIRED plan to run live blogs and post roundups covering the changes coming to iOS, macOS, and everything else Apple announces, so there will be plenty of ways to keep up with the news as it unfolds.

A Symbolic Moment for Apple

This year’s event is about more than software updates.

As Tim Cook’s last WWDC as CEO, the keynote represents a milestone for a leader who reshaped Apple into a dominant subscription business. He’ll be shepherding announcements focused on Siri, iOS, and Apple’s AI efforts — a fitting final stage for an executive whose tenure emphasized services and steady growth. That backdrop adds a layer of reflection to what is usually a forward-looking event.

The New “OS 27” Software Lineup

As it does almost every year, Apple is expected to unveil new operating systems across its product lineup.

This time, all of them should carry the “27” branding. Apple recently adopted a naming strategy similar to the car industry, labeling its operating systems for the year ahead. That means we should expect iOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and so on.

Interestingly, the focus this year may lean toward refinement rather than flashy additions. Apple appears keen to boost performance across its operating systems, prioritizing fixes and stability over big new features — a shift that could please users frustrated by recent bugs.

AI Features Coming to iOS 27

Of course, no modern Apple event would be complete without artificial intelligence, branded as Apple Intelligence.

Several AI-powered features are expected to make their debut. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is likely to introduce capabilities that let users:

• Create their own digital passes for events
• Split bills by simply taking a picture of receipts

These kinds of practical, everyday AI tools suggest Apple is aiming to weave its intelligence features into common tasks rather than chasing splashy gimmicks.

The Big Siri Overhaul Everyone’s Waiting For

Perhaps the most anticipated announcement is the long-awaited Siri revamp.

Apple’s virtual assistant has been something of a problem child for years, often proving more frustrating than helpful. It was supposed to be transformed by Apple Intelligence a few years ago, but that update was delayed. Now, Apple is finally expected to unveil its major Siri upgrade — and this time, it comes with significant outside help.

The Google Partnership Powering Siri

A key part of the Siri story is an unexpected collaboration with a major rival.

Apple is expected to boost Siri through a partnership with Google, infusing the assistant with Google’s Gemini AI. This collaboration has been in the works since 2024, though neither company confirmed the details until a joint statement in January spelled out a “multi-year collaboration” to enhance Apple Intelligence with Gemini. That same statement promised a more personalized Siri arriving this year, making WWDC a logical venue for the reveal.

The road here hasn’t been smooth, however. Apple’s AI struggles with Siri turned contentious in May, when the company agreed to pay $250 million to iPhone 15 and 16 owners who never received Siri’s long-promised AI capabilities.

What the New Siri Might Look Like

Recent leaks have offered hints about how the revamped assistant could appear and function.

According to details Gurman leaked last week, the changes may include a darker interface within a dedicated Siri app, a dedicated spot in Apple’s Dynamic Island at the top of iPhone screens, and chatbot-like capabilities powered by Gemini. Taken together, these suggest Apple is doubling down on Siri and placing it front and center in the iPhone experience.

What About New Hardware?

While WWDC is primarily a software event, there’s always a chance Apple teases upcoming devices.

A few possibilities are worth watching:

• Smart glasses: After its expensive misstep with the Vision Pro, Apple might tease its upcoming smart glasses. They haven’t been officially confirmed to be in production but are expected to arrive sometime next year.
• A foldable iPhone: There’s a sliver of evidence pointing to an Apple foldable device arriving later this year. Tellingly, Apple’s mobile software already includes features that could support a folding device, and examining its software tinkering is often a reliable way to predict what’s coming.
• A split-screen feature for iPhones, which could hint at that same foldable future.

Apple doesn’t usually debut new hardware at its developer conference, but it has happened before — most notably with the Vision Pro reveal in 2023.

What’s Probably Not Coming

It’s also worth tempering expectations on a few fronts.

There don’t appear to be any new Mac computer announcements on the way, though those typically arrive at Apple’s fall events anyway. Rumors have also swirled about Apple putting cameras into its AirPods. While a tease is possible, most signs suggest it’s unlikely to appear at this event.

Why This Matters

The WWDC 2026 keynote carries weight for several reasons beyond the usual software refresh.

A few themes stand out:

• It’s Tim Cook’s farewell WWDC, lending the event a sense of transition.
• The Siri overhaul, backed by Google’s Gemini, could finally address one of Apple’s most persistent weaknesses.
• The hints of foldable hardware and smart glasses suggest Apple is preparing for its next major product chapters.

What Comes Next

Once the keynote wraps, the real test will be how these announcements hold up in practice — particularly the revamped Siri, which Apple has promised before only to disappoint.

For now, all eyes are on Monday’s event. Between the symbolic significance of Cook’s final keynote, the focus on stability and AI, and the tantalizing hints of future hardware, the WWDC 2026 keynote promises to be one of Apple’s more consequential developer conferences in recent memory. Whether it delivers on the lofty expectations — especially around Siri — is the question that will define how this particular show is remembered.