Apple's big OS overhaul

Bold new looks look to be on the way for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS

- DAVID CROOKES

Big changes are afoot for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac — and we're not talking about the hardware. Instead, the look of the operating systems for these devices will be undergoing something of a revolution. In the case of the iPhone, it'll be the first major alteration for a whopping 12 years.

News of the changes were revealed by Mark Gurman, Bloomberg's highly respected tech journalist. He said they will part of “one of the most dramatic software overhauls in the company's history”, and added that it will fundamentally change the look and feel of these devices’ operating systems in order to bring greater consistency across the platforms.

What’s becoming clear is VisionOS’s influence. It would seem that the operating system for Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset has been something of a testing ground for the forthcoming redesigns with Gurman saying the changes are “loosely based” on it. To that end, we’re going to see a fresh approach to each operating system’s windows, buttons, and system navigation. And, as befitting a redesign with the codename “Solarium”, there will be translucent navigation panels, along with greater use of 3D elements and shadows as well.

Yet, what is perhaps the most stark change is a switch away from square icons — on the iPhone and iPad, at least. They’ve been part and parcel of the iPhone and iPad since they were introduced in 2007 and 2010, but it appears that they’ll be replaced with the circular app icons seen in visionOS and watchOS.

While that would bring them in line with the round icons introduced in iOS 18’s Control Center, it would also — a tad controversially — make iOS look very similar to Android, which brought circular icons on board with version 7.1.1 in 2016.

FUTURISTIC FEEL