Next iPhone Interface Reportedly Described as ‘Black, White and Flat All Over’

Apple's design honcho Jony Ive reportedly has quite a drastic change in store for the next version of iOS.

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Over at 9to5Mac.com, Mark Gurman reports that Apple’s design honcho Jony Ive has quite a drastic change in store for the next version of iOS — the software that runs on the iPhone and iPad.

Gurman has a solid track record with Apple rumors, and this latest one reveals: “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,” says Gurman.

The problem, it seems, is one of longevity. According to Gurman:

Ive stated that software designs filled with physical metaphors do not stand the test of time, according to a person familiar with the design meetings.

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.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about the rumored flattening-out of iOS, but Gurman’s piece is definitely worth a read, as it contains what he believes to be several additional changes to the software.

Me? I’m fine with iOS flattening out and becoming more modern-looking. I’m not completely convinced that it won’t throw certain segments of the iPhone-owning population into a tizzy, though. What’s really long overdue is a complete revamping of the selection of stock ringtones. I know you can download your own ringtones, but man, are the standard ones bad. The robot one gets me every time. Bad, bad, bad.

Jony Ive’s new look for iOS 7: black, white, and flat all over [9to5Mac]