Mark Gorman, probably the top leaker when it comes to behind-the-scenes updates on what’s going on at Apple, is dropping some intriguing hints about the company’s plans for iOS 17, which is expected to be released later this year. According to Gorman, Apple initially thought that iOS 17 would be a minor update focused on performance improvements and bug fixes, while most of the company’s effort is focused on the mixed reality glasses project.
But now the plans have changed, and Apple’s strategy is to launch iOS 17 with some significant innovations that Gorman calls “among the most requested features by users” – without elaborating. Reports from the last few months indicate the direction: Apple may launch a significant upgrade to the digital assistant Siri, support the installation of apps outside of the official store (mainly due to pressure from regulators), and is also working on a new design for the CarPlay car experience.
Some of these innovations will already be presented at the annual developer conference WWDC. Apple has not yet announced exactly when it will be held, but it is likely that the date will be during the month of June, when this time the conference will return to a physical format at the company’s headquarters. At the same convention, Apple may also present its mixed reality glasses for the first time, even if they will not be ready for launch at that time.