More modern look coming this fall.
Apple Risking iOS 7 Delays With Jony Ive's Design Overhaul
Over the past several months, rumors of Jony Ive's influence on iOS 7 as part of his new role overseeing user interface design in addition to hardware have surfaced, indicating that Ive is pushing to adopt a "flatter" design that will modernize the look of iOS.
In a lengthy report, Bloomberg now notes that this major effort to remake iOS puts Apple at risk of delaying the launch of iOS 7. While a public launch is said to currently remain on schedule for "as soon as September", Apple's internal deadlines have been pushed back as Apple's software teams race to complete their work and ready a preview for next month's Worldwide Developers Conference.
Ive, 46, has begun revamping iPhone and iPad applications, shunning realistic images, such as wood bookshelves for the Newsstand feature, and he’s exploring more dramatic changes to the e-mail and calendar tools, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private.The report also corroborates previous claims from Daring Fireball's John Gruber regarding engineers being pulled from OS X projects to bolster the iOS 7 effort, as well as his claim that the software changes in iOS 7 are significant enough that testers are using devices with special films over the screens to make it more difficult for those around them to see their displays.
Ive is also methodically reviewing new designs, seeking to avoid a repeat of last year’s release of map tools that were widely panned, and he’s encouraging collaboration between the software and hardware divisions, which operated in silos under co-founder Steve Jobs, people said.
Sources indicate to Bloomberg that Apple may ultimately have to push back to a later iOS version some of Ive's desired changes such as a complete remake of the iOS email app in order to have iOS 7 ready on time, and that Ive is also exploring some future concepts such as gesture controls that do not require touching the device's display.
Finally, the report briefly describes a March town hall meeting at Apple in which Jony Ive uncharacteristically took the lead to preside over a two-hour presentation about the changes that are underway. As previously noted, Ive is also sitting in on Apple's software design meetings, reportedly offering his input without forcing his ideas, and also giving software teams greater access to his hardware plans in order to increase collaboration.
[ 295 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
16 months ago
I'd rather they take their time and deliver something solid than something half-baked.
16 months ago
Based on his title at Apple, I am under the impression that Jony is now running the show at Apple. From what we've heard, it's clear that he works with the surface layer of what all users see, which is what matters most when you buy any device.
Now he just needs to be the one to run the keynotes.
Now he just needs to be the one to run the keynotes.
16 months ago
Wait, flatter design? So iOS7 is going to look like Windows 8? :confused::confused::confused:
Sigh. No. The dock in Mountain Lion is flat compared to Lion. Think of things like that.
16 months ago
Best news is a complete overhaul of email.
I wouldn't mind them delaying iOS7 to have that included at ALL.
I wouldn't mind them delaying iOS7 to have that included at ALL.
16 months ago
Then put it on a 5 inch screen. After having this HTC One for 2 weeks, I honestly will never go back to a 4 inch screen.
16 months ago
Nowadays... we just don't know. They might completely screw things up.
We never knew. This forum is filled with speculation, excitement and disappointment.
16 months ago
Wait a minute.
They had to put away people from OS X 10.9 to work on iOS 7. Hence the delay in OS X. And now they're telling us that iOS 7 will be delayed too?
How many people work there? I mean, they dropped iLife, Logic, Final Cut Studio, they're haven't been working on a Mac Pro for years... what are these people doing the whole day long?
They had to put away people from OS X 10.9 to work on iOS 7. Hence the delay in OS X. And now they're telling us that iOS 7 will be delayed too?
How many people work there? I mean, they dropped iLife, Logic, Final Cut Studio, they're haven't been working on a Mac Pro for years... what are these people doing the whole day long?
[ Read All Comments ]
This week's Buyer's Guide includes deals on the MacBook Air, the Retina MacBook Pro, and AppleCare, as well as an array of Apple-related accessories that are currently on sale.
MacBook...
Following a report by Droid Life yesterday, Verizon has now confirmed to Gigaom that starting October 1 the carrier will begin spot throttling of certain high-usage customers connecting to...
Hello Inc's new Kickstarter project Sense is an iOS-compatible sleep tracking system that allows users to monitor their sleep patterns and bedroom environments without the need for intrusive...
Google today updated its Gmail for iOS app to version 3.14159, adding improved integration with its Google Drive storage solution.
It's now possible to save email attachments directly to...
Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel covered Apple's upcoming smart watch on last night's show, airing a humorous segment that featured the team showing pedestrians on Hollywood Boulevard a...
While several high-profile smart deadbolt systems such as Lockitron and August have experienced significant delays, Kwikset has been shipping its Kevo Bluetooth deadbolt for some time now, and today...
Apple has seeded developers with new versions of Safari 7.1 for OS X Mavericks and Safari 6.2 for OS X Mountain Lion as works continues on OS X Yosemite. In its release notes for both betas, Apple is...
Apple has announced on its official Chinese website that it will open its new retail store in Wuxi, China at Wuxi Hang Lung Plaza, which is about an hour's train ride from Shanghai, on Saturday,...
