Welcome to the WordPress Roundup, your monthly digest of the latest news and updates from the WordPress community.

We bring you essential WordPress developments for all experience levels each month, keeping you informed about the latest core updates and upcoming releases.

Whether you’re a seasoned developer, a dedicated site owner, or launching your first WordPress site, these updates promise to enhance your site-building experience by making it more seamless and powerful. You’re a vital part of our community, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

We’ll also spotlight plugins and themes that elevate your site, highlight important community events and notable contributions from WordPress developers, and share tips to keep you ahead in this ever-evolving ecosystem.

This month’s edition covers WordCamp Minneapolis, Etch for WordPress, Twenty Twenty-Five, WordPress Accessibility Day, and more. Let’s dive in!

WordCamp Minneapolis

WordCamp Minneapolis/St. Paul 2024 was an inspiring experience. The event began with a keynote by E Daniel Swain on “The Importance of Community,” emphasizing how the WordPress community thrives on collaboration and shared knowledge. Sessions like “AI Tools and Techniques: What’s Helpful and What’s Hype-ful?” offered valuable insights into the practical applications of AI in WordPress. At the same time, “Design in an AI World” explored how AI is reshaping design trends and what that means for creativity.

It was also great to connect with Nick Diego, Developer Advocate at WP Engine, who brought even more depth to the discussions. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Nick on the Press This podcast about the importance of child themes in WordPress development, which added an extra layer of relevance to the event’s conversations.

On LinkedIn, I shared my excitement about the energy and passion among attendees. This WordCamp reminded me of the strength of our community and the endless possibilities when we come together to innovate.

Accessibility was another primary focus, with sessions like “Improving WordPress Accessibility: Tools, Techniques, and Real-World Solutions” and “Inclusive Design: Website Accessibility with WordPress” providing actionable strategies to ensure all users can navigate and engage with websites seamlessly. These sessions reinforced the importance of building more inclusive web experiences, making WordPress sites accessible to everyone.

Overall, WordCamp Minneapolis 2024 was a great reminder of the power of community and collaboration in the WordPress ecosystem. With diverse sessions ranging from AI to accessibility,  I left with fresh ideas and a renewed enthusiasm for WordPress.

Dear WordPress

In his YouTube video “Dear WordPress,” Kevin Geary expresses a hopeful perspective for the future of WordPress, outlining fundamental changes to help the platform thrive. He believes that with the proper focus, WordPress can continue to grow and support its community for years.

Kevin, a respected voice in the WordPress community, continues to challenge the project to improve. He advocates for a renewed focus on quality, user experience, and innovation, encouraging the community to embrace change while staying true to WordPress’s core values.

He outlines five key actions that need to happen:

  1. WordPress leadership must recommit to the core of the product, the content management system (CMS).
  2. We need a freeze on all new major Gutenberg features to focus on user experience.
  3. The Admin UI must be fully unified and modernized.
  4. We must recommit to standards and craftsmanship in everything we do.
  5. Etch for WordPress.

In his fifth point, Kevin introduces Etch for WordPress, a new initiative to enhance the WordPress experience by focusing on user needs and high-quality standards. Etch for WordPress seeks to elevate the platform by offering tools and resources that align with the core principles of WordPress, ensuring a seamless and efficient workflow for users.

Kevin invites everyone to sign up for live webinars on the Etch for WordPress website to learn more about how this new product can transform their WordPress journey.

By addressing these areas, Kevin envisions a stronger, more user-friendly WordPress that remains at the forefront of the industry, continuing to innovate and inspire its vast community of users and developers.

Twenty Twenty-Five theme

Twenty Twenty-Five, set to debut with WordPress 6.7, is being developed under the guidance of co-lead developers Carolina Nymark and Juan Aldasoro. It will offer a modern yet versatile aesthetic that caters to a wide range of WordPress users, from bloggers to business owners.

With its focus on simplicity and functionality, Twenty Twenty-Five provides a clean, adaptable canvas, perfect for showcasing content stylishly and user-friendly.

Building on the groundwork of past default themes, Twenty Twenty-Five finds a sweet spot between minimalism and versatility, bringing a design that’s both fresh and classic. Whether setting up a personal blog or building a professional portfolio, this theme gives you the tools to bring your vision to life.

One of the standout features of the Twenty Twenty-Five theme is its flexibility. It includes a variety of new block patterns and templates, making it easier than ever to craft unique and engaging layouts. The theme is fully optimized for the latest block editor enhancements, ensuring a seamless and dynamic website-building experience.

To learn more about the Twenty Twenty-Five theme, watch this overview by Matt Medeiros, where he explores the theme’s unique features and discusses how users can maximize its customization options.

Additionally, you can explore the following resources for more information and to get involved in the development:

These resources offer valuable insights into the design process, the current progress of development, and various ways you can actively contribute to creating and refining this exciting new theme for WordPress.

WordPress Accessibility Day

WordPress Accessibility Day is a 24-hour global event on October 9th-10th, featuring live-streamed presentations and workshops. It aims to help developers, designers, and content creators make WordPress sites more accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.

The event emphasizes the importance of inclusive design, ensuring all users can access and engage with websites, broadening audience reach, and supporting WordPress’s democratizing publishing mission.

WP Engine proudly supports WordPress Accessibility Day as part of our commitment to giving back to the community. Our sponsorship reflects our core values and dedication to promoting a more accessible and inclusive web.

Join the movement to make WordPress more inclusive! Visit the WordPress Accessibility Day website to learn more, register for the event, or volunteer your skills. Your participation can help create a more accessible web for all.

Featured community member

Meet Maestro Stevens, a digital strategist and founder of The Iconic Expressions, who specializes in crafting personalized marketing strategies for brands and businesses. With a WordPress development and SEO background, Maestro brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every project he undertakes.

Maestro calls himself “The Fresh Prince Of WordPress” and is deeply committed to community-building. He regularly shares his digital marketing insights through workshops, webinars, and his YouTube channel, driven by a belief in the power of education and a passion for mentoring others.

Connect with Maestro for a fresh perspective on digital strategy, WordPress development, and the latest trends in digital marketing.

That’s it for this month. Stay tuned as we await more details on Etch for WordPress, get closer to WordPress Accessibility Day, and make progress with the Twenty Twenty-Five theme.

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