Apple to Introduce Year-Based OS Naming with iOS 26; Elon Musk Reacts to the Change

In a significant branding overhaul, Apple is set to rename its operating systems using a year-based convention, beginning with iOS 26, aligning with the anticipated 2026 release. This change moves away from the traditional sequential numbering (e.g., iOS 18) to a format that reflects the release year, aiming to unify the versioning across all Apple platforms, including iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS.

The Verge

The upcoming iOS 26 is expected to debut at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, 2025. Alongside the renaming, Apple plans to introduce a comprehensive design overhaul, codenamed "Solarium," inspired by visionOS. This redesign will feature modernized icons, dynamic interface elements, floating navigation bars, and enhanced haptic interactions, aiming to provide a cohesive and futuristic user experience across all Apple devices.

Indiatimes

The shift to year-based naming has sparked discussions among users and industry observers. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, humorously questioned the long-term implications of this change, asking, "What happens in the year 2100?" in response to the renaming strategy.

Apple's decision mirrors naming conventions used in other industries, such as automotive, where models are often named after the upcoming year. This approach aims to simplify version identification for users and developers, providing clarity and consistency across Apple's software ecosystem.

The official announcement and further details about iOS 26 and other operating system updates are expected at WWDC 2025. Users can anticipate a more unified and intuitive experience across their Apple devices with these forthcoming changes.