Looks like the new iPhone isn't the only item in the spotlight of Apple rumors today, as a Branch thread between several well-known Apple bloggers has revealed some interesting tidbits about iOS 7. According to John Gruber of Daring Fireball, iOS 7 is currently running behind schedule, so much so that Apple has pulled engineers off of OS X 10.9 to contribute to it.
Continuing with iOS, Gruber claims that Apple engineers that are authorized to carry devices running the new version of iOS are sporting polarizing filters on the displays of their phones. This is reportedly done to decrease the viewing angles of the phone so that anyone nearby won't be able to see the new version of iOS that's onboard, which Gruber has been told features a "rather significant system-wide UI overhaul." Rene Ritchie of iMore says that he's heard the same thing, adding that the work that Jony Ive has done with iOS is pleasing quite a few people, but that it will disappoint any "rich-texture-loving designers."
Finally, MG Siegler notes that he's heard "multiple times" that Apple may utilize its acquisition of Authentec last year and add some kind of biometric scanner on the next iPhone. The scanner could be used for identification as well as possibly for payments at some point.
As is usually the case with rumors, especially those that are Apple-related, it's worth noting that nothing is official until Tim Cook and Co. make it so. There is quite a bit of information contained within today's Branch thread that makes sense, though. For example, Apple industrial design SVP Jony Ive is now in charge of Human Interface iOS software team, and many have suspected that he could make some big changes in the next major version of iOS. One recent report suggested that Ive is pushing for a "flat design" in iOS that's "simple and stark." That'd be a change to iOS as we know it, and such a design isn't likely one that "rich-texture-loving designers" would advocate for.
Earlier today, a report claimed that Apple is aiming to ship out the next major version of iOS in the middle of this year, so we may only have to wait another few months before finding out exactly what Ive and Apple have up their sleeves for iOS 7. Do the claims about the new iOS in this latest leak have you interested in the next version of Apple's mobile operating system?
Via Daring Fireball, Branch
