iOS 7 Release Date, Features and Rumors: User Interface To Be 'Black, White And Flat All Over'

With Apple's World Wide Developer's Conference (WWDC) just around the corner, rumors about what the company will unveil are running rampant. One thing is known for sure. Apple is gearing up to announce the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6, however they will likely not be the big attraction at the WWDC.

Instead, the spotlight on June 10 will be on the unveiling of the highly anticipated iOS 7.

In an interview Tuesday night with All Things Digital, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed the iOS 7 was on the horizon and that Apple Vice President of Industrial Design John Ive is designing it.

Ive is committed to updating the look and the feel of the iPhone, iPad and iPod to be crisp and easy to use yet still familiar to the seasoned iOS user. Tech industry buzz surrounding the new iOS 7 is limited as Apple Inc. is keeping as much of it a secret as it can before the big reveal, but several sources report that it will be "black, white and flat all over."

According to 9to5Mac, this refers to several new black and white user interface features as well as the iOS dropping a lot of its heavy textures in favor of a flatter more simple look and interface.

Ive has expressed his distaste for the heavy textures and elements of Apple's current iOS saying that the designs that are made to resemble physical features don't hold up to the test of time.

9to5Mac gives the example that "the current yellow notepad-inspired Notes app contrasts significantly from the silver-textured Maps, blue and white Mail, and casino-inspired Game Center apps."

Although no real details other than the general "black, white and flat all over" look details, information about new features that iOS 7 will provide have been almost non existent. However, several people have taken it upon themselves to create content videos outlining likely directions that the iOS 7 could go in. They can be viewed here at Pocket-lint and below.