Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC 2025) keynote has come and gone and it brought with it a number of AI-themed updates to the tech giant's entire software portfolio.
These included everything from quality life updates to its Apple Music service, designed to improve curation, to a completely new Liquid Glass design that is being rolled out across all its platforms.
Our team of hi-fi and home cinema experts where on hand updating this page with all the news throughout the event. Scroll down to see their coverage and hot takes on all of WWDC 2025's audio and home cinema announcements.
Also make sure to get involved with the conversation and offer your thoughts on Apple's latest news in the comments, or on our social media pages and forum.
Welcome to our WWDC 2025 live hub!
Welcome to our WWDC 2025 live blog, where I (editor-in-chief, Alastair Stevenson) will be posting all the latest developments, as well as insights directly from our experts on the announcements.
The event’s opening keynote is set to start at 6.00pm (UK time), which means there is some time left until the news officially starts flooding in. Ahead of that, here’s a quick summary of what we’re expecting from the event.
A complete overhaul to Apple’s tvOS software: Apple is expected to make big changes to the software powering its Apple TV 4K streamer. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, tvOS 19 will be the biggest update to the platform since it launched.
AI upgrades: we haven’t had many specifics, but tvOS is one of many platforms set to get a big update, according to pre-event rumours. Rumblings suggest Apple is also set to completely rebrand its iOS mobile phone software, adding a wealth of new AI-focussed features, alongside a new name.
New AirPods features: according to rumours Apple is also set to add a host of new features to its AirPods. These include new motion controls, sleep detection and a “studio quality” mic mode.
Meet the team covering WWDC 2025
We have not one, but three members of the What Hi-Fi? Team covering WWDC 2025. Here’s what you need to know about them.
What we want to see
WWDC is always an interesting event as it’s largely software focussed – with Apple tending to do its hardware launches separately.
That’s why we’re not expecting to see the fabled iPhone 17 until September. We’re also expecting the company’s hotly anticipated new AirPods and HomePods to be no-shows at the event.
But, even with that knowledge, our team can’t help but hope the firm will have at least a few surprises that haven’t been covered by the pre-event rumours at WWDC 2025’s keynote.
Eager to share them, our senior staff writer, Lewis Empson, penned a pre-event feature detailing the three biggest things he’s hoping to see at WWDC 2025.
Read the full story: Here are the 3 big home cinema and audio announcements we're hoping to see at Apple's WWDC event
Got something not covered by Lewis that you’re hoping to see at WWDC 2025? Then get involved in the conversation and let us know in the comments or on our social media channels! We’re eager to hear from you.
The one thing I’m really hoping to see at WWDC tonight (but probably won’t get)
Entry by Lewis Empson
The Apple TV 4K (2022) remains the best streaming device on the market thanks to its excellent user interface that doesn’t bombard you with ads or nonsense, alongside its stellar picture and sound quality.
There is, however, one slight issue now; it’s getting on a bit. The streamer has been on the market for over two and a half years, so where is the replacement? Rumours of a new model have been rife, though they are, at the time of writing, unsubstantiated.
I’d really like to see Apple change this tonight and announce a 2025 model that uses a more up-to-date processor (might I suggest the iPhone 16’s A18 processor) and packs in some of the new features rumoured to be coming with the next version of tvOS..
Rumours suggest an overhaul to tvOS will be debuted tonight, so a new streaming box (or stick, who knows) to complement the design refresh just seems right. Throw in Apple Intelligence compatibility, a shiny new remote (backlit buttons would be nice) and 8K support, and that constitutes a substantial upgrade to me.
Ultimately, this is probably wishful thinking, but I’m still holding onto a little bit of hope.
Additional features for AirPods Pro
Entry by Kashfia Kabir
We’re not expecting any new hardware launches during WWDC, but there are rumours that the current AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 could get plenty of new features.
This continues Apple’s run of introducing new features to its flagship AirPods Pro 2 at no extra cost – keeping these five-star wireless earbuds fresh and feature-packed without having to pay for a whole new model.
Since the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C case launched in September 2023, the flagship buds have been updated with software features such as Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Transparency and a host of health-related functions, including being able to use them as hearing aids.
So what can we expect from the update this time around? Your AirPods Pro could gain gesture controls for adjusting the volume when in Conversation Awareness, take a photo by pinching the earbuds’ stem, and detect when you’ve fallen asleep and auto pause any music or podcasts.
Small but useful features that only enhance the AirPods experience for iOS users even further. Until we finally get AirPods Pro 3…
My most-used streaming service could be getting a major overhaul in the next few hours – here’s what I want to see
Entry by Lewis Empson
I admit it, I’m an Apple Music user. Despite switching from an iPhone to the Android-based Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra a couple of weeks ago, I just couldn’t face going back to Spotify, especially after the most recent user interface update.
Speaking of user interface updates, Apple Music is reportedly set to get an AI-focused upgrade in the near future, according to reputable Apple insider and Bloomberg editor, Mark Gurman. While AI isn’t at the top of my wishlist, I suppose Spotify has seen success in embracing our soon-to-be overlords, so I can see where Apple is coming from.
Gurman didn’t confirm if this update would be imminent, or if it's slated for down the line, and no Apple Music announcement has been confirmed for tonight yet either. Regardless, it’s on my radar, and I hope to see a mention tonight.
If I had my way, there are a couple of changes I would like to see come to the Apple Music app. The biggest one is a “download all” button in my library, as in my last device transfer, I had to click download on each of my saved albums individually – all 273 of them.
Furthermore, Spotify remains the king of social music listening when it comes to Jams, Daylists and more. I know we care about sound quality above all else, but these curated playlists and social features are a huge draw for me, so I’d like Apple to take inspiration from Spotify in this case.
Could Apple Music get a new look?
Entry by Kashfia Kabir
Apple Music is 10 years old this year. I’ve been using the music streaming service ever since it launched in June 2015, and apart from one interface change shortly after launch, the platform has remained largely the same – albeit with additional features (video, hi-res lossless and spatial audio) being added over the years to its extensive catalogue.
Could we see a fresh look for Apple Music alongside the rumoured iOS26 updates? Apple’s native apps generally evolve alongside its iOS updates, but it would be exciting to see a deeper overhaul for this streaming service.
For now, the main rumour I’ve seen is about full-screen animated artwork on the iPhone lock screen. That would be pretty cool – I love seeing animated album art within the app – but I would worry that this would be quite the battery drain.
A whole new name for iOS
Entry by Joe Cox
In case you missed the recent leaks, it looks like Apple is going to change the way it names its OS releases. This is good news.
Rumours say Apple will align all of its various operating systems by naming them after the year. So expect to hear about iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 and so on at WWDC, rather than the scheduled iOS 19.
Ultimately, we think this will make sense once we get used to it. After all, how many of you really know which OS your various devices are currently using? Naming them after the year should make it a lot easier to remember.
That said, launching iOS 26 followed by the iPhone 17 later this year could still prove confusing...
We’re live!
Entry by Alastair Stevenson
Apple’s WWDC opening keynote is officially underway and we’ll be here for the duration bringing you all the latest news, as well as our hot takes until the event ends.
As a reminder, we’re expecting the event to be a big one for music and TV fans, with pre-keynote rumours suggesting tvOS will be getting its biggest overhaul ever and Apple will re-brand its iOS software.
Make sure to get involved with the action and drop any questions, or thoughts, you have on the news in the comments or our social media channels!
Entry by Alastair Stevenson
Apple CEO, Tim Cook has taken the stage and confirmed the keynote will address all of the company's software. There is already a very heavy focus on Apple Intelligence, but little concrete detail on how it will impact the firm's Music and TV platforms thus far.
Apple software chief Craig Federighi has taken over the keynote and is still talking about Apple Intelligence. The main news thus far is that Apple is making its intelligence on device model available to all apps. This means the features can work offline using data stored locally. Nothing music or TV related.
Apple has unveiled a new universal "Liquid Glass" design it claims will react dynamically to what the user is doing. We haven't had full details on how it works, but we've seen demos of it throwing contextual menus up when people are watching movies on an iPhone and iPad. Apple describes it as "blurring the line between hardware and software".
A new name for all of Apple's software
Apple has updated the naming convention for all its operating system. Every single new version will jump to 26. So iOS, tvOS, MacOS and every other platform in Apple's portfolio will leap to be version 26, regardless of the previous release number.
We've still not had much more detail on Apple's Music and TV plans. Instead the firm has showed of how Liquid Glass adjust the UI on iOS dynamically depending on what the user is doing. It's since moved on to talk about its CarPlay software and how will leverage the new design.
Thus far Apple's focussed on iOS messaging, call, emoji and translation services. These include better screening options on calls and messaging and the ability to make polls and split bills within in app when in a group chat. The emoji service lets you use AI to merge existing emojis to create new ones. It showed combining the sloth and lightbulb emojis as an example. The translation upgrade adds live transcriptions to messaging and video calls, from what we've seen. Still no TV or music news.
AI Apple Music upgrades are coming
Apple has, very quickly, confirmed a number of AI / Intelligence flavoured upgrades coming to Apple Music.
Highlights include:
- AI lyrics: this will let you see the lyrics to the song you're listening to in real time.
- AI pronunciation: as well as a transcription, it will also help you say them correctly using Apple Intelligence.
- AI mix: a new feature that will use Apple Intelligence to generate playlists specific to users tastes.
Our contributor is typing up a full story with the AI Apple Music updates, so stay tuned for more detail!
*Editors note: we missed Apple Music Auto Mix. This is an AI powered mix service that aims to smoothly transition songs in your playlists, like a DJ.
The AI playlists we mentioned relate to Auto Mix, which actually just smoothly transitions songs you already have liked better using AI.
Apple AirPods updates
Apple has unveiled upgrades coming to its AirPods, however, rather than focus on music playback the new additions relate to mic quality and camera commands. Specifically, it has unveiled a new "studio-quality audio recording" and camera remote feature. These will both be launched on the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and AirPods Pro via an over the air update. The " studio-quality audio recording" is aimed at content creators and works to improve the voice quality of recorded audio. It apparently works using the Apple H2 chip and Apple Intelligence processing to reduce background noise.
tvOS 26
Apple has unveiled a wealth of new TV originals as well as a compete overhaul to its tvOS software. The key points are:
- A move to Apple's contextual, AI-powered Liquid Glass universal design. This adds dynamic UI elements that change based on what the user is doing and their habits, in a bid to make the OS more intuitive to use.
- The new UI also tweaks the app, making it so the UI can display more movies, reducing the need to scroll when looking for something to watch.
- The ability to enable any AirPlay speaker as the Apple TV's main speaker permanently.
Our all-star contributor, Joe Svetlik has penned a full guide, detailing the biggest changes coming to Apple Music!
Read the full story: Apple Music gets 3 new features – and could put DJs out of work
An early hot take from our editor
Entry by Alastair Stevenson
As expected Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote is all about the firm's Intelligence AI platform. This is a big deal, with the "Liquid Design" elements being rolled out across all its software, including tvOS 26, and streamlined naming convention making sense.
But, from a purely music and home cinema perspective, these add up to quality of life, rather than performance upgrades. None of the announcements work to improve performance metrics, like HDR performance, upscaling or surround sound on tvOS.
Equally the Apple Music features are more about curation, discovery and showing off Apple Intelligence's clever translation services rather than upgrading its core audio quality.
I'd personally hoped to hear more about its plans to match rival codecs and chipmakers, such as Qualcomm, which confirmed it is aiming to offer fully scalable, 24-bit/192kHz audio wirelessly to headphones "soon" during an interview with me earlier this year.
All the details on Apple's WWDC 2025 AirPods upgrades
Apple has unveiled, quietly, a smattering of upgrades coming to its AirPods via an over the air software update. You can get all the details in our handy guide!
Read the full story: Apple's AirPods get studio-quality recording, camera remote
VisionOS 26
Apple's also confirmed upgrades to its Vision Pro operating system, adding a wider selection of apps and platforms that support its immersive video platform. These include the ability to edit immersive video in Adobe Premier Pro directly from the headset and link it with and watch footage shot on GoPro and other 360 experience ready action cameras.
All the facts on tvOS 26
With Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote coming to an end, our senior staff writer, Lewis Empson, has finished writing his guide detailing all the changes coming to tvOS 26.
Read the full story: Attention Apple TV 4K users! Apple announces tvOS 26 with a new look and better AirPlay speaker integration
WWDC 2025 wrap up
With Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote over, we've seen a number of AI focussed announcements on its entire software portfolio. But was it a hit and are the upgrades what we wanted? Here's the What Hi-Fi? team covering WWDC 2025's personal hot takes on the keynote.
Do you agree with our hot takes? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch on our social media channels and forum!
