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WWDC23 is getting closer every day. And with each passing day, the leaks about what the new operating systems Apple will unveil there will grow stronger. It’s a 100% certainty that this is where new versions of the operating systems that power iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, Macs and Apple TVs will be unveiled. But there are only sketchy reports about the latter two, if any. Logically, we know the most about the shape of iOS 17.
That’s because iPhones are Apple’s most popular and best-selling product, which interests the public the most. The Apple Watch and its watchOS are the best-selling watches in the world, but the fact that they can only be used with iPhones doesn’t change that. Even iPads are among the market leaders, although the tablet market is declining. Moreover, many of the new features of iPadOS 17 are identical to iOS 17.
iOS 17 will bring sideloading
Apple likes to boast about its operating systems’ advanced security, emphasis on privacy, and overall optimization. However, that security comes with some limitations. One imaginary thorn in the side of many Apple users is that new apps can only be installed from the official App Store, which can be a burden for developers in general. They have no choice but to distribute their software through the official channel.
This also entails the need to meet conditions and pay fees for each transaction made through Apple. It is, therefore, no wonder that many users have been calling for a change, or so-called sideloading, for some time now. Sideloading specifically means that apps from sources other than the App Store could be installed within the iOS operating system. Something like this has worked for years on Android. You can download an app directly from the web and then install it. And sideloading might just be coming to Apple phones and tablets.
Sideloading: what will change
Now for the most important part. According to the latest information from well-known Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, also considered one of the most accurate and respected leakers, iOS 17 will bring sideloading capabilities for the first time.
So what will change? As we’ve mentioned, this will give Apple users unprecedented freedom, where they will no longer be limited to the official App Store. They could download or purchase their apps from virtually anywhere, depending on the developers themselves and many other factors.
In a way, the developers themselves can also celebrate, for whom more or less the same applies. Theoretically, they will not depend on Apple and can choose their channels as a distribution method, meaning they are no longer subject to the above fees. On the other hand, that doesn’t mean that everyone will suddenly leave the App Store.
That’s certainly not the case. It must be borne in mind that the App Store is the perfect solution for smaller and medium-sized developers. In this case, Apple will take care of the distribution of the app and its updates and provide a payment gateway.
Would you welcome sideloading, or do you think it is a waste or a security risk that should be avoided?
The benefits and risks of sideloading
Before we dive into the original question, let’s briefly summarize the benefits and risks of sideloading. As we have already indicated above, the benefits are pretty clear. Sideloading gives us much more freedom, where users are no longer limited to the official app store.
On the other hand, security is compromised, at least in a sense. This creates the risk of malware getting onto users’ devices. The Apple user downloads voluntarily, thinking it is a serious app.
However, it is important to understand how this can happen. At first glance, it may seem that such things are virtually non-existent. But the opposite is true.
Allowing sideloading means that some developers can completely leave the App Store. Leaving users with no choice but to look for their software elsewhere, probably on their official websites or other stores.
This puts less experienced users at risk of falling victim to a scam and falling for a faithful copy that may look and feel like the original app but maybe the malware in question.
Is homeOS coming?
In the past, we have already had the opportunity to see the homeOS operating system, at least on paper. Apple was looking for developers to take care of this system. But it’s been over a year, and the system is still nowhere to be found. Initially, speculation was that it could accommodate a family of smart home products—essentially just tvOS, or one for the HomePod or some smart display.
But it could also have just been a mistake in the advert that meant nothing more. The only reports about tvOS practically agree that the UI might be slightly modified, but what new things to add to the TV? For example, users would certainly welcome a web browser, which Apple still stubbornly refuses to include in its Apple TV.
However, one can’t hope for much more except for some little things like Apple Music Classical integration. There may be so few leaks about this system for precisely two reasons: it’s renaming to homeOS, and the other is that it won’t bring any news. We wouldn’t be surprised at the latter.
Apple macOS 14
In the case of macOS, there’s no doubt that a new version of macOS will be coming, called 14. This may be because Macs are not doing well in sales, and the news about the system is overshadowed by information about the upcoming hardware that should also await us at WWDC23.
Equally, there may be a simple reason in that the news will be so little and so small that Apple is managing to guard it. On the other hand, if stability was worked on here and the system didn’t just sour from the barrage of new and, for many, unnecessary innovations, it might not be a bad thing either.
However, the few bits of information that have already leaked out bring news of widgets that should now be able to be added to the desktop as well. There are mentions of gradual improvements to the Stage Manager functionality. And the arrival of more iOS apps, namely Health, Watch, Translation and more.
A redesign of the Mail app is also expected. If you want more, don’t expect too much, then don’t be disappointed. Of course, there’s also a question mark over the naming.
Final thoughts
The currently available information looks like the new iOS 17 will get all the attention, as it doesn’t look groundbreaking in other systems. But I may be just wrong. Apple will show in its breathtaking presentation how the systems for the other devices have been polished to a higher degree of perfection once again since I don’t actively keep an extra device. I wouldn’t use the betas of these systems to try, but who knows, maybe WWDC will convince me to give it the time after all.
