14 DAY TRIAL // Sources familiar with Apple’s iOS internal testing say we’re in for some radical changes, especially on the UI side. The interface is said to be as flat as Windows Phone’s Metro.
One source tells 9to5mac that the new iOS 7, set to be unveiled at WWDC in June, is “very, very flat.”
The site says it’s “potentially unsettling” for longtime fans of the platform. Currently, iOS boasts skeuomorphic design that gives the graphics a more life-like look.
Another person familiar with the matter said, “the interface loses all signs of gloss, shine, and skeuomorphism seen across current and past versions of iOS.”
Yet another person described iOS 7 as having “a level of ‘flatness’ approaching recent releases of Microsoft’s Windows Phone ‘Metro’ UI.”
Customers won’t find it more difficult to use iOS 7, the sources said, adding that while the software does look different, its core services (including the stock apps) will “mostly operate in a similar fashion to how they do today.”
The major changes are a new icon set for all the apps that ship with the software by default, as well as new tool bars and tab bars.
The next batch of iOS devices prepared by Apple will have “polarizing filters to decrease viewing angles of on-lookers,” according to the report.
Another thing that got leaked is the actual code name of the software. Apple refers to iOS 7 as “Innsbruck” internally.
Finally, Apple has reportedly implemented a type of information panels across the iOS 7 UI, a system that resembles Notification Center.
iOS 7 is scheduled to debut at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10. It is unclear whether the company will actually ship the software then, or whether it will just offer us a demo.
OS X 10.9 is also expected to make an appearance at the event.