14 DAY TRIAL // People familiar with the development of iOS 7 have leaked new details pertaining to the aesthetic tweaks commissioned by Human Interface chief Jony Ive. In a nutshell, the new iPhone/iPad OS is “black, white, and flat all over.”
Corroborating the majority of rumors regarding iOS 7’s overhaul, sources speaking to 9to5mac say the OS is dropping heavy textures, adding black and white UI elements.
Apple’s efforts span a great deal of time, and the sources in question reportedly say that the company has “re-architected” the new UI several time over the course of several months.
They also seem to confirm rumors that Ive is not a big fan of the skeuomorphic elements in iOS, and that “software designs filled with physical metaphors do not stand the test of time,” according to a person familiar with the design meetings cited in the report.
Because each stock app in iOS has a completely different design, Jonathan Ive has ordered the software engineering team to make them all look like they’re part of the same family.
“…each app has a white base with a respective color theme,” according to the sources.
“He has essentially made his mark on every corner of the operating system, according to descriptions from sources, all while mostly keeping the essence of what has made iOS so ubiquitous,” according to the report.
The glaring time bar on the lock screen will be darker in iOS 7, while the pin-code square grid will have “round, black buttons with white text and white borders.”
Apple is also testing a panel filled with shortcuts for various settings and services, including WiFi, Airplane Mode, and Bluetooth.
The Home screen app icons will be less shiny, but they’ll keep their rounded corners, while the navigation and tab bars will no longer have gradient textures.