Apple is preparing to release the iOS 27 update with a dual focus on quality improvements and revolutionary artificial intelligence features, drawing inspiration from the success of the “Snow Leopard” update. We explore the future of the operating system, rumors surrounding Tim Cook’s departure, and the challenges of talent migration toward artificial intelligence companies.
Article Contents:
- The “Snow Leopard” philosophy returns in iOS 27
- Focus on quality and performance
- The upcoming artificial intelligence revolution
- Tim Cook’s future: Rumors and facts
- Talent war: OpenAI recruits Apple engineers
- Changes in the design team
- Frequently asked questions
The “Snow Leopard” philosophy returns in iOS 27
In 2009, following the release of the highly disruptive Mac OS X Leopard operating system, Apple introduced a new operating system named “Snow Leopard.” The idea was simple yet effective: focus on subtle refinements and quality control rather than just adding flashy new features. Apple rewrote core pieces of software, fixed bugs, and removed legacy code to make Macs faster, more stable, and more efficient.
Now, history appears to be repeating itself. Following the sweeping design changes in iOS 26 and the launch of the “Liquid Glass” interface, Apple is working on a “Snow Leopard” style update for iOS 27 and other major operating systems for the coming year, including macOS 27. The goal is to improve software quality and core performance after years of adding features and apps to keep pace with fierce competition in the mobile market.
Focus on quality and performance
Although iOS 26 did not suffer from major feature delays like its predecessor iOS 18, many users reported bugs and other issues. These problems included device overheating, unexplained battery drain, user interface glitches, keyboard failures, cellular connection problems, app crashes, and sluggishness when navigating the system.
To address these issues, Apple’s engineering teams are currently combing through the operating systems to look for redundant code to remove, bugs to eliminate, and any opportunity to noticeably enhance overall performance and quality. Just as “Snow Leopard” laid the foundation for future Macs, iOS 27 will pave the way for foldable iPhones and other innovative new devices.
The upcoming artificial intelligence revolution
Despite the focus on quality, iOS 27 will not be devoid of new features. These features will center around artificial intelligence, an area where Apple is still trying to catch up. This means next year’s upgrades will revolve largely around performance and artificial intelligence.
On the artificial intelligence side, drastic changes are coming, including the long-awaited upgrade to the Siri voice assistant in the iOS 26.4 update, and the integration of artificial intelligence into additional apps in iOS 27. This includes a health-focused artificial intelligence agent (tied to a +Health subscription) next fall, and the expansion of artificial intelligence-powered web search to rival ChatGPT and Perplexity.
Internally, Apple is also testing an integrated chat app called “Veritas,” which serves as a testing ground for the redesigned Siri. Artificial intelligence upgrades are a top priority, with engineering teams across the company developing them, alongside a partnership with Google to bring “Gemini” technology to Apple’s foundational models.
Tim Cook’s future: Rumors and facts
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, turned 65 this month and is one of Silicon Valley’s longest-serving chief executives. Succession planning inside Apple has been underway for years, with John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, emerging as a leading candidate to succeed him given that he is the youngest member of the executive team and oversees the vital hardware division.
However, recent reports indicating Cook’s imminent departure (between late January and June) appear premature. Based on internal analyses, Cook is not expected to step down in the middle of next year. Thanks to Apple’s massive success under his leadership, Cook has earned the right to determine his own future, and there is little internal evidence that he is about to hand over the reins, even though Ternus has gained additional responsibilities and a higher profile.
Talent war: OpenAI recruits Apple engineers
Apple faces a new challenge in the form of talent migration toward OpenAI. Following OpenAI’s $6 billion acquisition of Jony Ive’s (Apple’s former designer) stealth artificial intelligence startup “io,” Apple’s hardware engineering division is experiencing a wave of defections.
OpenAI is working on a lineup of hardware products that could debut next year. Just last month, OpenAI reportedly hired more than 40 people for its hardware group, many of them engineers coming directly from Apple. These hires include key managers and engineers from a wide range of fields: camera engineering, iPhone and Mac hardware, silicon, industrial design, manufacturing, audio, smartwatches, and Vision Pro development. Apple is reportedly unhappy with this recruitment push and considers it a real problem.
Changes in the design team
Apple’s design team continues to evolve. Ubaidur Choudhry, a rising star in the industrial design team who introduced the iPhone Air in September, recently left the company to join an artificial intelligence startup. His departure highlights Apple’s ongoing struggle to retain key talent in 2025.
The makeup of the design team is now at least 90% different from when Jony Ive left in 2019. The team, once dominated by designers who spent 10, 20, or even 30 years at the company, now features former junior members and an influx of new hires from design schools and smaller firms.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who makes design decisions at Apple these days?
A: The team is now managed by Molly Anderson and Alan Dye, vice presidents of hardware and software design respectively, though the hardware engineering, software, and marketing departments also have a strong voice in the process.
Q: Will the iOS 26.2 feature enabling third-party voice assistants via the side button become available outside of Japan?
A: Apple appears to be moving in that direction. Under pressure from regulators, Apple is opening this button to third-party voice assistants in Japan, and the change is expected to eventually come to the European Union as well.
Q: What is the reason behind Apple’s new mini-app program with a 15% commission for developers?
A: Apple introduced a new initiative requiring mini-app developers (housed within larger “super apps”) to give Apple a 15% share of purchases. This program was motivated by Tencent’s WeChat app, but the more significant player in the future could be OpenAI, which is in the process of adding mini-apps to ChatGPT.
