Much riding on Apple's new operating system

SAN FRANCISCO - Apple Inc. has a lot riding on next week's introduction of its new mobile operating system, even though new devices are not expected to surface until later in the year.

Monday morning will see the kickoff of Apple's annual Worldwide Developers' Conference. At the keynote session, chief executive Tim Cook and other top executives are expected to preview the latest versions of iOS and OS X - the operating systems that power the company's family of computing devices that include the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computer lineup.

It will be the public's first look at new platform offerings since Apple shook up its software leadership team last year.

The stakes are high for Apple, as considerable doubt has crept into the investment community about the company's ability to live up to its record of product innovation - as well as maintain profit margins that dwarf those of other tech companies. The stock is off more than 17 percent in 2013. Shares closed Friday at $441.81, up $3.35.

Charles Golvin of Forrester Research said the new design of iOS may include expected improvements to Apple's two most maligned mobile applications - Maps and the Siri personal digital assistant.

"The criticism often leveled against Apple these days is that they are not innovating," Golvin said. "That's the criticism that people will be looking for Apple to address with the features in this new software platform."