This week brought the official announcement of WWDC, and with it Apple’s first chance to tease iOS 19—the conference’s tentpole software update that’s getting a new design. Apple’s materials for the conference point to a very specific vibe that has me optimistic about iOS 19 and more.
‘Fun’ could be the much-needed theme of iOS 19 and more
As someone who has followed tech closely for most of my life, it’s not often that I’d use the word “fun” to describe new technology.
More often, tech is viewed through an industrial lens and companies (and users alike) focus on specs and utility.
But Apple has a history of infusing fun into its products.
This has been done with color at times, like the classic colorful iMac G3 that shook up what was then a bland, boring personal computing market.
Even among Apple’s current products, the M4 iMac still carries this “fun” torch with its various color options and matching accessories.
In software, fun usually comes in the form of delightful animations or other design flourishes that bring a smile to your face.
I remember when iOS 7 first debuted, making a big splash with its new design that made the iPhone feel a lot more fun than iOS 6.
And it’s this kind of vibe that Apple’s first iOS 19 tease is giving off.
Hints that Apple will emphasize fun with its new software
The bright, flashy colors of this year’s WWDC logo are certainly a key part of this “fun” vibe.
But they’re also just one factor. Another important one involves animation.
You won’t find it on Apple’s website, but when Greg Joswiak posted on X about WWDC 2025, he shared a little video to accompany the news.
Watch the video, and you’ll see the colorful WWDC logo shrink and expand with a lot of bounce to it.
I’m not sure what better way to describe the animation than “fun.”
The cheerfulness of the teaser reminded me of Mark Gurman’s report last summer on the codenames for iOS 19, macOS 16, and more.
I don’t want to put too much stock into codenames, but iOS 19’s is “Luck” and macOS 16’s is “Cheer.”
Both words give off very positive, happy vibes—kind of like the word “fun.”
There’s still so much we don’t know about iOS 19’s new design, but in a world and industry where the news is often not so happy, I think we could all use a little more fun from the next iPhone update.
Here’s hoping iOS 19 brings that with its big design overhaul.
Do you think Apple’s hinting at a more fun iOS 19 design? Let us know in the comments.
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