With the grand unveiling of Apple’s next operating system for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch approaching, sources have provided detailed descriptions of what users and developers alike could expect from the software’s fresh look.
Ive, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Industrial Design and newly-minted head of Human Interface across the company, has essentially proposed a radical break with the iOS former Apple co-founder Steve Jobs unveiled in 2007, introducing a look and feel he believes will stand the test of time…
“Ive stated that software designs filled with physical metaphors do not stand the test of time,†reports well-informed writer Mark Gurman for
9to5Mac, citing an unnamed person
“familiar with the design meetings.â€
While overall, Ive’s proposed design relies heavily on a black and white interface, particular iOS applications were singled-out for a makeover.
Sources have described iOS 7 as “black, white, and flat all over.†This refers to the dropping of heavy textures and the addition of several new black and white user interface elements.
Sources say that over the past few months, Apple has re-architected iOS 7′s new interface several times, so until the new software is announced at WWDC, interface elements could dramatically change from what Apple has been testing internally in recent weeks.
Nonetheless, you can find what we have been hearing about iOS 7′s new user experience below:
The iPhone’s Notes app has replaced the yellow notepad design for a flat white look. Apps such as Mail, Calendar, and Maps have also gained a more uniformed look with flat white textures.
While the core elements of those apps are mostly white, each app has been given a unique button color. Essentially, each app has a white base with a respective color theme.
For example, the Calendar app could potentially have red buttons, while Messages could have green controls.
According to this person, Ive also shared that because iOS’s current applications have several differing designs, Apple’s users could become confused.
For example, the current yellow notepad-inspired Notes app contrasts significantly from the silver-textured Maps, blue and white Mail, and casino-inspired Game Center apps.
The iPhone Notes app loses the yellow background, replaced by a flat white appearance. Also, such iOS apps as Mail, Calendar and Maps share the same design features, each application’s buttons given a different hint of color.
