14 DAY TRIAL // The lack of customization options for the iOS home screen has made iPhones look pretty much unchanged throughout the years despite the debut of operating system updates.
And it looks like after more than a decade Apple has finally heard the message and is now working on a bigger iOS overhaul that would include a revamped home screen.
The springboard redesign is planned for iOS 13, which means that we still have to wait one more year to try it out. But Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman says waiting for iOS 13 will totally be worth it, as in addition to UI improvements, Apple is also working on a bunch of new features, including an updated Files app and possibly Apple Pencil support.
iPad-based overhaul
Many of the new features coming to iPhones with the release of iOS 13 will be borrowed from the iPad, and even the springboard facelift itself will use some design cues from the tablet.
“iOS 13 ‘Yukon’ will have a big iPad-focused feature upgrade as well, including an updated Files app. some other things in the works are tabs in apps like in MacOS, same app side by side, Apple Pencil stuff. The home screen redesign is iPad focused,” Gurman said.
In the meantime, iOS 12 is expected to land as a softer upgrade. Apple is reportedly planning to put the focus on reliability and security, so while some new features might indeed be part of iOS 12, don’t expect anything revolutionary this year.
Apple will preview the next version of iOS at WWDC early next month, and the public launch will take place in September as per the company’s typical release schedule. Developer and public betas will be released in the meantime, and the first early build is likely to become available shortly after the WWDC conference in June.