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Apple Risking iOS 7 Delays With Jony Ive's Design Overhaul

Wednesday May 1, 2013 6:26 am PDT by Eric Slivka
iphone_5_lteOver 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.

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.
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.

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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.

Tag: bloomberg.com
[ 295 comments ]


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Feed Me
81 months ago
Do what you must, Jony
Rating: 75 Votes
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Steve121178
81 months ago
I'd rather they take their time and deliver something solid than something half-baked.
Rating: 71 Votes
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SunshineFires
81 months ago
Let the man do his thing
Rating: 37 Votes
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Aidan5806
81 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.
Rating: 34 Votes
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ccmovies
81 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.
Rating: 20 Votes
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samcraig
81 months ago
Best news is a complete overhaul of email.

I wouldn't mind them delaying iOS7 to have that included at ALL.
Rating: 16 Votes
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DenisAuermann
81 months ago
.

.
Rating: 16 Votes
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bbplayer5
81 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.
Rating: 12 Votes
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samcraig
81 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.
Rating: 11 Votes
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vjpulp
81 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?
Rating: 11 Votes

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