Apple is preparing one of the biggest software updates in the company's history, which will change the user interface of the iPhone, iPad and Mac. This was reported by Bloomberg sources familiar with the situation.
- The redesign is expected to dramatically change the look of operating systems and make Apple's various software platforms more unified. In particular, the style of icons, menus, applications, windows and system buttons will be updated.
- The new design is based in part on elements of the VisionOS operating system developed for the Vision Pro headset. These include rounded icons, a simplified window system, translucent navigation bars, and improved use of 3D depth and shadows. Some of these elements may be seen in iOS and MacOS.
- The main goal of the update is to ensure similarity and consistency across Apple's various operating systems. Currently, the styles of applications, icons and windows differ between macOS, iOS and visionOS.
- At the same time, the company has no plans to merge the operating systems. Apple believes that developing macOS and iPadOS separately allows it to create better devices. It also encourages users to buy multiple devices instead of one universal device.
When to expect the UI update?
The update will arrive as part of iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 (codename 'Luck') and macOS 16 ('Cheer'). This will be the biggest redesign for the Mac since macOS Big Sur in 2020, and the biggest change for the iPhone since iOS 7 in 2013.
The new operating systems are expected to be unveiled at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.
They could distract attention from the company's problems with its artificial intelligence rollout. Last week, Apple postponed the AI update for its Siri voice assistant indefinitely.
Apple is also hoping the new interface will help revive demand after a period of slowdown. The company's profits fell after a surge in technology spending during the pandemic. Sales of iPhones, Apple's main source of revenue, unexpectedly fell during the last holiday season.
Apple traditionally does not comment on future products.
Recently, Apple introduced a budget device to the iPhone 16 lineup - iPhone 16e.
