Weekly Tech Roundup: Apple's Operating System Rebrand, OnePlus's AI Integration, and Samsung's New Foldable Devices
Muddled by Apple's Shift? You're Not Alone
Confused about Apple's operating system naming struggles? You're not the only one. According to reports, at WWDC next year, Apple aims to make a broad overhaul of all of its operating systems, including renaming them with a more consistent approach. Starting in 2025, Apple will reportedly ditch the sequential numbering scheme for a year-based naming strategy, much like how cars are named. So, instead of iOS 25, we'll see iOS 26, watchOS 26, and so on, replacing iOS 19 and watchOS 12.
The shift is part of Apple's larger push for a seamless user experience across platforms, potentially encompassing updated icons, apps, buttons, and a fresh design language. Given Apple's simple, magnetic user interface is a cornerstone of the company, it'll be intriguing to see users' reactions to the possible redesign (perhaps better than the Apple Photos redesign). Mark your calendars for WWDC 2025, which kicks off on June 9 at 1 pm ET.
OnePlus Dives Deeper into AI
Following a light offering of AI features when the OnePlus 13 launched in January, OnePlus is now gearing up to fully immerse in AI for its phones. Similar to Nothing's approach with the Nothing Phone (3a) series, OnePlus is introducing a dedicated AI button on the side of the phone, replacing the original OnePlus Alert Slider.
Dubbed the Plus Key, users can program it to trigger specific apps or shortcuts on the phone, resembling Apple's Action Button interface. By default, it launches AI Plus Mind, which saves whatever's on the screen for you to recall later. The idea is that you'll press it when you discover an interesting ad or event invite—pressing the Plus Key saves the relevant info in the companion app, and the app generates a calendar event for you.
The Plus Key and AI Plus Mind will debut on the OnePlus 13s, launching in select markets this June, and are not coming to the US. Later this year, the AI features will roll out to the OnePlus 13 series, with other devices to follow. OnePlus is working on additional features like AI VoiceScribe, AI Translation, and AI Reframe, set to enhance your phone experience.
Samsung's Folding Phones: Due for a Summer Update
Rumors are swirling that Samsung will reveal its next folding phones, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, this summer. The company has officially confirmed this leak by announcing the rollout of the One UI 8 beta program. One UI is Samsung's unique layer of Android, and version eight is based on the upcoming Android 16.
Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting developments in the tech world!
- In an attempt to further integrate AI, OnePlus is planning to incorporate a dedicated AI button on the OnePlus 13s, similar to Nothing's approach, allowing users to program specific apps or shortcuts.
- Apple, muddled by its operating system naming struggles, aims to make a broad overhaul at WWDC 2025, including renaming its operating systems with a more consistent approach, such as a year-based naming strategy.
- Samsung, known for its foldable devices, is rumored to release the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 this summer, following the rollout of the One UI 8 beta program, a unique layer of Android based on the upcoming Android 16.
- The shift in Apple's operating system naming strategy, from a sequential numbering scheme to a year-based one, marks Apple's larger push for a seamless user experience across platforms, which may include updated icons, apps, and a fresh design language.
