Observers mustn’t see “the apparently rather significant system-wide UI overhaul”

Apr 3, 2013 07:33 GMT  ·  By

Apple pundit John Gruber reveals in a Branch chat that the delayed iOS 7 boasts a “significant system-wide UI overhaul,” adding that the engineers working on it actually have to carry special displays that prevent outsiders from peeking at the software.

Kickstarting a wave of speculation that Apple is having trouble in getting its act together to release new software products this summer, Gruber points out that the current version of iOS is under tight supervision, with some engineers carrying around special devices with funny-viewing angles.

From the Branch discussion, “Word on the street is that iOS engineers with carry privileges all have some sort of polarizing filter on their iPhone displays, such that it greatly decreases viewing angles, thus making it difficult for observers to see the apparently rather significant system-wide UI overhaul,” Gruber says.

In other words, Apple is keeping a tight lid on the development of iOS 7, which is said to be the first major overhaul of the software in years.