iOS 7 reportedly has "significant" design changes and is behind schedule

Smatterings of iOS 7 have appeared online in the forms of speculation and rumor, with, for example, word surfacing a few days ago that an iOS 7 jailbreak is already in the works. Now a few substantial claims have come from Apple blogger John Gruber of Daring Fireball, who says that iOS 7 has been given such a significant design overhaul that engineers are using polarized display filters in public to keep prying eyes from spotting what Apple has in store.

According to Gruber, he has received two pieces of informatiom, the most interesting being about the design. Apple engineers who have permission to use the upcoming version of iOS in the public have polarized filters on their devices, which you've likely seen in action if you've ever used a computer at a public library or Internet cafe. These filters make it virtually impossible to see the display unless you're looking straight at it.

That's not all he has to say about the design aspect, however. He says that he has heard the same thing that has been said by Rene Ritchie, who commented in a conversation at Branch: "[Jony] Ive's work is apparently making many people really happy, but will also apparently make rich-texture-loving designers sad." Meaning if you're fond of such design elements, you may end up a tad disappointed.

Speaking of those engineers, there's reportedly some that have been taken from OS X 10.9 to work on iOS 7 instead, the reason being that it is reportedly behind schedule, and the extra work force is needed to get caught up. Thus, if all pans out to be true, there could possibly be an OS X delay in light of getting the newest iOS out and about.

[via Daring Fireball]