When I took an in-depth look at iOS 7 earlier this week, I found plenty to be excited about in Apple’s upcoming overhauled mobile software. I also said that real innovation is scarce, however, and I asked what meaningful, innovative functions iOS 7 is capable of performing that iOS 6 is not. Not everyone agrees, of course, and a recent Forbes piece argues that innovation is in fact one of Apple’s secret weapons in iOS 7.
According to Lars Hard, founder of Swedish artificial intelligence specialist Expertmaker, Apple’s shift toward a 3D user interface in iOS 7 is an innovative move that will open the door for richer user experiences.
“They have made a first step towards more exciting user experiences,” Hard told Forbes. “And these are all connected to the other things they are doing with iOS.”
According to Hard, Apple’s layering and parallax effect are just the beginning. They will lead to much more complex features that make use of various hardware sensors to perform functions that are not seen on today’s devices. This may also pave a path to an iPhone that becomes more predictive, rather than just responsive — and not just in Apple’s native apps, but also in apps built by third-party developers.
“The critical point is that iOS 7 design provides developers with far more opportunities to innovate,” Forbes’ Haydn Shaughnessy wrote. “But the design of the phone also releases developers to do more.”
Of course as I stated in my analysis, iOS 7 in its current beta form isn’t about innovation, per se. It’s about pushing forward with a reimagined platform that lays the groundwork for innovation.
