Apple's iOS 7 May Be Delayed Due to Redesign
The revamped iOS 7 may not be made available until September.
Unnamed sources close to the iOS development team report that the next release, iOS 7, may be delayed due to the complete overhaul of the interface and core apps. These sources claim that internal deadlines for submitting features to be tested have been set later than past releases. Thus, Apple is pushing to compile enough of the system to preview at WWDC in June, and then will possibly release the platform in September already installed on the new iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch models.
Jonathan Ive, 46, who is spearheading the iOS revamp, was assigned in October 2012 to provide leadership and direction for Human Interface (HI) across the company in addition to his role as the leader of Industrial Design. Apple said his "incredible design aesthetic has been the driving force behind the look and feel of Apple’s products for more than a decade."
As reported on Tuesday, Ive is ripping out the glossy effects and detailed textures for a flatter, crisper interface. Bloomberg reports that he has removed the wood bookshelves in the Newsstand app, and is exploring similar dramatic changes to the email and calendar apps. He's also methodically reviewing new designs, sources claim, so that Apple doesn't run into another Maps fiasco. He's also encouraging communication between the software and hardware teams.
Sources state that software engineers are "racing" to get iOS 7 done, and Apple has reportedly even pulled staff from the Mac team to help the iOS team get the job done. This won't be the first time Apple has shuffled developers: the company made a similar move with the first version of iOS back in 2007.
Greg Sterling, an analyst at Opus Research in San Francisco, told Bloomberg that Apple and Ive are under a lot of pressure to generate something different and new. "[Ive has] a tremendous sense of design, and he’s been the guru behind a lot of these enormously successful products, but he’s always had someone like a Jobs to push back on him and give him some guidance, and it’s not clear that Tim Cook is capable of playing that role," he said. "Maybe without a collaborator, he’s not as strong."
Sources claim that many bigger shifts in change to services like email likely won't launch with iOS 7, but will be introduced in future releases. Apple may also experiment with gesture control later on down the road as well, as Ive has reportedly met with makers of gesture technology. Apple may even look into three-dimensional interfaces if the hardware will minimalist and reduced.
Apple's upcoming iOS 7 will supposedly include an all-new icon set for Apple's native apps, newly designed tool bars, new tab bars, and other fundamental interface features. The team is also looking into and testing ways to add more system options panels and information that can be accessed at a glance.
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Sources said the new iOS 7 interface is not more difficult to use than earlier releases. The transition will reportedly be just as easy as it was when iPods went to color. Even more, core apps and system fundamentals like the Lock and Home screens will mostly operate in a similar fashion to how they perform on devices sporting iOS v6.1.3 and earlier.
Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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senkasaw Wait, so Apple is actually going to release a real update to ios? (How many iterations has the Android UI gone through now?)Reply -
sundragon Reply10745348 said:Wait, so Apple is actually going to release a real update to ios? (How many iterations has the Android UI gone through now?)
I see what you're trying to imply there ;)
4.2.2 is the current version so 11 if you count 1.5 (cupcake was for devs).
iOS has gone through quite a few more since launch but it's at 6.1.3 - (That's what is installed on my mom's 4 year old 3GS as well as my 5, BTW - How many Android phones that are 4 years old have an OS update? (without root of course))
Key Lime Pie is also delayed, we're getting 4.3 at Google IO so everyone (lazy manufacturers) can catch up, currently Android 2.x is the most prolific version at ~29% Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)
But more to your point: If you actually owned an Apple product over the last few years, you'd realize, the UI has been updated as much as Android OS. I own both so I can make that comparison.
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robochump Other articles say iOS 7 will ship on time. Who to believe?!? Either way I am sure it will remain to be stable and secure.Reply -
the1kingbob Haha... I think you missed the point sundragon... He was implying that apple has released several versions and little has changed. Android has made lots of changes between major releases... Apple has just been releasing some-what update-ish versions.Reply
It has been nice to see apple integrating jail broken features... really innovative.. android does it, then jail breakers do it for apple, then apple does it...
Also, does you mom like using Siri? -
sundragon Reply10745434 said:Haha... I think you missed the point sundragon... He was implying that apple has released several versions and little has changed. Android has made lots of changes between major releases... Apple has just been releasing some-what update-ish versions.
It has been nice to see apple integrating jail broken features... really innovative.. android does it, then jail breakers do it for apple, then apple does it...
Also, does you mom like using Siri?
I totally got the point : )
1. iOS has quite a few updates to the interface, would you like me to list them and link to wikipedia as proof? Moreover, have you owned the Iphone 3, 4, 5 to see what's been changed? Probably a no : )
2. Siri doesn't work on on the 3GS, but the numerous security fixes and bug fixes all do, without lag. OS updates aren't only about features they are about security fixes and bug fixes (which are arguably as important)
3. Does your 4 year old, much less 2 year old Android handset work with Googles voice search? Yup, that's a no (unless you root) : )
Does your 2, 3, 4 year old Android handset get any of the 4.2.2 security and bug fixes from your manufacturer, as there have been quite a few? Yup, that's a No as well. (unless you rooted)
I can list the with a link to Google's dev site so you can read how many issues have been patched between 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x.
: )
Creative criticism about jailbreaking features is valid - I don't argue that but you gotta own that no matter what version of Android comes out, no one gets the updates unless they root, own a Google device or forced to buy a new phone from a top manufacturer - which is a big deal because most people on the planet aren't techy enough to root - I rooted mine and all my friends because they didn't know how. -
pacomac Reply10745348 said:Wait, so Apple is actually going to release a real update to ios? (How many iterations has the Android UI gone through now?)
You make it sound like lots of UI updates is a good thing. I for one hated the way Microsoft revamped Office every couple of years and actually made it worse ditching menus and toolbars for ribbon controls. For this reason I still use a 10 year old version of Office. If you have a good UI that works well and looks good why would it need updating? Android needed updating because for a long time it wasn't a good experience. Scrolling lag and slow pinch to zoom are classic examples of where Android got it wrong and Apple got it right from day one. -
the1kingbob I am not saying apple hasn't released updates, I am saying the updates are tiny and well... updates not OS advances. I mean really, they list sounds being added to animations and a new 'feature'. Lets also not forget the removal of features with iMaps being released, but hey in some worlds I guess it makes sense to replace the best with terrible.Reply
Now when looking at android, you are right there are major changes between releases.... that why it is a OS release.
Also I own a Nexus S 4g, so yes I do have voice search... not to mention every android phones after 2.x. I think you maybe referring to google Now? Which I also do have.
Oh about the rooting thing to get updates, I remember my friend jail breaking and getting Siri to work on his 4 right after the 4s was released to only have apple nuke it so he couldn't use it anymore, but its okay since you have OS "6" -
senkasaw Wow...apparently my comment was controversial ;) All I really meant was the look and feel of ios hasn't much changed since its initial release. The Android UI has changed quite a bit.Reply
I am kind of an Android fanboy, so my initial comment was slanted toward Android. However, I use Apple product everyday...so I am familiar with their iterations. They all just look the same...that's all :)
Regardless, a style refresh will be very welcome from Apple. :) -
sundragon Reply10745535 said:I am not saying apple hasn't released updates, I am saying the updates are tiny and well... updates not OS advances. I mean really, they list sounds being added to animations and a new 'feature'. Lets also not forget the removal of features with iMaps being released, but hey in some worlds I guess it makes sense to replace the best with terrible.
Now when looking at android, you are right there are major changes between releases.... that why it is a OS release.
Also I own a Nexus S 4g, so yes I do have voice search... not to mention every android phones after 2.x. I think you maybe referring to google Now? Which I also do have.
Oh about the rooting thing to get updates, I remember my friend jail breaking and getting Siri to work on his 4 right after the 4s was released to only have apple nuke it so he couldn't use it anymore, but its okay since you have OS "6"
Let me state an example because I don't think you realize I own Android devices. I went through 4.1.1>4.1.2>4.2.>4.2.1>4.2.2 on my Nexus 7 since I purchased it in August - How many updates was that?
NO major earth shaking changes to the UI, just minor improvements (like Apple). Most of these were MAJOR bug fixes because my WIFI, Bluetooth, and screen flicker made the thing useless for about 6 months...
I also have a Viewsonic G tablet with Android 2.4.x on it - The UI is horribly slow and quite awful compared to buttery on my old Iphone 4 - There was a reason Google updated the UI. It was necessary as was Project Butter - before that there was lag swiping screens compared to my iPhone 3, and 4.
If you've got something working you don't mess with it (I wish MS was listening with Windows 8, sigh) but I think I made my point : )
Nexus S = Google phone, like my Nexus 7, get's all the update goodness. The rest of the Android world has to fend for itself.
Apple is shite for not giving the 4 Siri, yes, I agree. You need to also concede that Google's handling of updates and OS refreshes, and it's early UI have left much to be desired. Neither company is perfect - Blaming the manufacturers for updates is not an acceptable answer - It's Google's baby, they need to take better care of it.
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senkasaw Reply10745526 said:10745348 said:Wait, so Apple is actually going to release a real update to ios? (How many iterations has the Android UI gone through now?)
You make it sound like lots of UI updates is a good thing. I for one hated the way Microsoft revamped Office every couple of years and actually made it worse ditching menus and toolbars for ribbon controls. For this reason I still use a 10 year old version of Office. If you have a good UI that works well and looks good why would it need updating? Android needed updating because for a long time it wasn't a good experience. Scrolling lag and slow pinch to zoom are classic examples of where Android got it wrong and Apple got it right from day one.
I agree...not all UI changes are good. Android did need changing, and they changed. Apple didn't need changing, and they didn't. Now, though, Android looks new and Apple looks old. I think a style update will be a good thing for Apple.