Bloomberg's report that Apple is considering rebranding iOS 19 to iOS 26 shows that the once-innovative company leading the tech industry now seems to be making excuses to avoid the AI race. As I've written a few times before, this WWDC 2025 (at least based on the rumors so far) could have been one of the greatest Apple keynotes ever... if the company hadn't completely missed the point.While Google and OpenAI are leading with agentic AI features and cutting-edge tech, Apple is focused on creating a more design-consistent experience across its platforms. I'm a big fan of redesigns, new languages, and consistency (which Apple lacks in its product names and features). Still, it's odd that the company wont have much Apple Intelligence to show while interest in AI keeps growing.If you're reading BGR, you probably care a lot about the latest technologies and trends, which is something that might not be true for your coworkers, family, or friends. Just after Sam Altman and Jony Ive announced their big partnership with io, I was super excited. Some of my friends, though, were just like, "Who's Jony Ive?"We live in a tech bubble, and maybe Apples right. Maybe most people arent ready for AI or just dont care. Most users will probably enjoy the new design language without thinking twice. Still, if all Apple has to offer is renaming iOS 19 to iOS 26, then its hard to say the company is leading anything.Sure, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 will bring other features. But Apple needs a faster answer to AI, and especially to its painfully outdated Siri.Don't Miss: Apple faces unprecedented pressure ahead of WWDC, and risks falling shortThe post Apples iOS 26 rebrand suggests its dodging the AI race, not leading it appeared first on BGR.Today's Top DealsTodays deals: $189 Apple Watch SE, 15% off Energizer batteries, $144 queen memory foam mattress, moreTodays deals: $15 Amazon credit, rare PS5 Pro sale, $263 HP Stream laptop, $298 Sony XM5 headphones, moreTodays deals: $1,750 Amazon gift card, Sonos speaker sale, Hisense 75-inch smart TV, foam dog beds, moreMemorial Day security camera deals: Reolinks unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98