WWDC 2022: Apple analyst predicts innovations for iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and watchOS 9, plus an rOS sneak peek for upcoming mixed reality headset

Mark Gurman has offered various predictions about the state of Apple's various operating systems as we head towards WWDC 2022. Scheduled for between June 6 and June 10, the conference is also expected to be where Apple announces two new Mac devices. Reputedly, one of these will be a next-generation MacBook Air, which has leaked several times in the last few months.

According to Gurman, Apple plans to reveal iPadOS 16, iOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16 and watchOS 9 at this year's WWDC. Presumably, Apple will present HomePod 16 too, even though Gurman has not mentioned this operating system in his report. Currently, the analyst has only revealed codenames for iOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16 and watchOS 9, supposedly 'Sydney', 'Rome', 'Paris' and 'Kincaid', respectively.

Gurman adds that Apple will not be redesigning iOS this year, which should come as no surprise considering the incremental improvements Apple has made since iOS 7. Still, he expects Apple to include 'fairly significant enhancements across the board', such as new health-tracking features and updated notifications. Incidentally, Gurman states that internal iOS 16 builds contain ties to rOS, the operating system for Apple's mixed-reality headset.

Allegedly, Apple may even tease rOS at WWDC 2022. However, Gurman does not believe that rOS or a mixed-reality headset will arrive in June. Purportedly, a 'full-blown' introduction is 'out of the question' at this stage. Conversely, iPadOS is thought to be gaining new multi-tasking features, while watchOS should receive significant activity and health tracking upgrades. 

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