Apple may be struggling to get iOS 7 ready in time

Over the past few months, more and more information about iOS 7 has become known. First we learned, via the Wall Street Journal, that changes to iOS were going to be "pretty conservative." Then came a conflicting report from several credible Apple followers claiming that Apple was having trouble redesign iOS in time. A report from 9to5Mac indicated that Apple may be looking into a "flat" design, like that of Windows Phone.

AllThingsD reports that Apple may be having problems getting iOS 7 ready on time, and could be drafting in other engineers that work on OS X to help. Back in 2007, Apple had to pull engineers from the OS X division to work on the iPhone's new OS, called iPhone OS. According to one source who spoke to AllThingsD, iOS 7 "will ship on time." The news of Apple's scramble to get iOS finished was first reported by Daring Fireball, and has now been reiterated by Bloomberg and AllThingsD.

The reason for the extra man power requirement? The "significant" changes that Apple are making to iOS. As one source put it: "You know Game Center’s green felt craps table? Well, goodbye, Circus Circus." Apple is reportedly working on a new "flat" design which would look similar to that of Windows Phone and may also be looking to introduce widgets to iOS. Jony Ive, the now head of iOS, is a big fan of flat, subtle designs, so the reported changes aren't altogether surprising.

The only problem Apple faces with a redesign is keeping the familiarity for those users who have grown accustomed to the look and feel of iOS over the years. iOS is very much an operating system for those who don't want the complexity of Android, but still want a relatively powerful OS with a large selection of high-quality apps. If Apple can retain those features, and introduce a new look all before WWDC, Apple will have succeeded.

Source: AllThingsD | Image via Apple