Apple may rename iOS to iPhoneOS at WWDC 2020

Amidst big changes coming to the Apple ecosystem that includes ARM-powered MacBooks, Apple is also reportedly mulling a name change from iOS to iPhoneOS at WWDC 2020. Presently, iPhones and the iPod Touch run on the iOS operating system while last year, Apple diverged it into iPadOS, with features exclusive to iPads.

The move will bring a longstanding tradition to naming software products by Apple. Apple usually names its software the same as the hardware it powers. MacOS powers the Mac. watchOS powers the Apple Watch. iOS was the exception, which may soon be corrected at WWDC 2020 slated to begin on June 22 this year, as an online-only event.

Popular Apple tipster Jon Prosseur put out a cryptic tweet which hinted the possibility of a rechristening to iPhoneOS. Considering how WWDC is used as a platform to launch new software by Apple, announcing the change in name wouldn’t be surprising.

The claim also received more mileage after tipster Max Weinbach also claiming of having heard something similar, replying to Prosseur’s tweet.

However, with the change in name to iPhoneOS, it remains to be seen what happens to the iPod Touch, which also runs on the same operating system sans the telephony. Apple is also expected to unveil new versions of its operating systems, namely iPadOS 14, tvOS 14, watchOS 7 and macOS 10.16. With a LiDAR sensor being offered in the new iPad Pro and tipped in the upcoming iPhone 12 series, we may see some AR-centric developments as well

But the most widely anticipated announcement would be the transition to ARM-based MacBooks. Apple has not shied away from launching new hardware at WWDC, having launched the HomePod and the Mac Pro in 2017 and 2019.

The announcements will be made at a keynote address scheduled for June 22, 10 AM PDT (10:30 PM IST).

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