iOS 7 Team Reportedly Calls In Reinforcements to Hit WWDC Launch

Apple is pulling engineers from other projects to fast track work on iOS 7, the next version of Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod software, a move which is reportedly needed to deliver the software on stage at WWDC 2013 in June.

Multiple reports claim iOS 7 will feature a major overhaul to the user interface, with a focus on a flatter, fresher design with less use of real world appearances in the Game Center and throughout the user interface.

Talk of iOS 7 delays are likely behind these leaks to the press detailing Apple’s plans to prepare iOS 7 for a WWDC 2013 reveal.

iOS 7 Team Calls in Reinforcements

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that the iOS team needs help to Apple’s self-imposed June 10th deadline for an iOS 7 reveal, but we are hearing from multiple reliable publications that the iOS 7 progress should pick up with the influx of engineers from the OS X team.

Late Wednesday a source told All Things D Apple is, “borrowing” engineers who would otherwise be working on OS X 10.9, the next version of Apple’s desktop software. The source told John Paczkowski, “Yes, yes — it’s essentially a repeat of the iPhone/Leopard scenario.” This time help may come swifter as more parts of iOS are working their way into Apple’s desktop system.

This is the second time Apple called in help to complete an iOS project. The first was in 2007, when Apple was hard at work on the frist version of iOS to launch with the first iPhone.

While there is no official comment from Apple, like the press release Apple issued in 2007, Jim Dalrymple confirmed the news with a “Yep” on The Loop. Dalrymple has a good track record of confirming Apple plans with this simple one-word statement, which many believe carries as much weight as a comment directly from Apple.

iOS 7: Rumored Changes

Jony Ive’s new role as the head of Human Interface at Apple is reportedly a cause for the delays. Multiple reports indicate Ive is pushing for a major user interface refresh for iOS. The iPhone software remains much as it did when it was introduced years ago.

Apple has added new features every year, much like additions and fresh coats of paint on well-built house, but rumors indicate Ive is planning to raze parts of the system to deliver his vision of a mobile operating system. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, iOS 7 may just be the start. Ive is reportedly looking into gesture control, which could help users better control the rumored iPhone 6 with no home button.

There are many iOS 7 features rumored, though the biggest changes may be to the overall look of the operating system which 9to5Mac describes as flatter and fresher. We took a look at how Apple could mimic the flatter look of Windows Phone 8 and HTC Sense 5.

A flatter iOS 7 could feature less visual flair like stitching and bright green felt in the Game Center app. One rumor is that Ive will cut these visuals from iOS 7 but may include faster access to more information via widget-like options in the Notification Center, which would provide more information to the user.

On top of the major overhaul, the following iOS 7 features are rumored as possible inclusions in the new version of iOS.

• Deeper Apple Maps and Siri Integration in the Car
• Dual-Shot Camera Feature – Use front and Rear Cameras at the Same Time
• Support for Mobile Payments – Possibly paired with a Fingerprint Reader
• iRadio Service – A Music Subscription Service to Compete With Spotify
• Deeper Yahoo Integration

As part of the overhaul Apple may also change up the built-in iOS calendar and mail apps.

Apple is expected to show off iOS 7 on June 10th at the kickoff of the company’s developer event. The event sold out in less than three minutes as excited developers head to California with expectations of learning more about Apple’s latest mobile operating system.

Apple will likely offer a developer beta of iOS 7 shortly after the event, but consumers will likely need to wait until the fall for an iOS 7 release date. Apple typically releases a new version of iOS days before a new iPhone.