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Jonathan Ive's keen eye for design to cause iOS 7 delay?

Apple is expected to show off iOS 7 at the Worldwide Developers Conference, but the product design guru's desire to modify the software could cause a launch delay.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger
2 min read
Apple's Jonathan Ive
Apple's Jonathan Ive Apple

Jonathan Ive, Apple's senior vice president of industrial design and the visionary behind its hardware products, is taking his role as head of software design at the company very seriously, according to a new report.

Ive, just six months since taking over for ousted Scott Forstall as head of iOS design, has been going over the next iteration of the software, iOS 7, with a fine-toothed comb, Bloomberg is reporting, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the matter. His oversight and desire to dramatically change some parts of the software could cause the operating system to fall behind its scheduled launch date, Bloomberg's sources say.

Apple is expected to unveil iOS 7 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next month. Each year, Apple typically boasts hundreds of improvements to the software, but the majority of those tend to be behind the scenes.

Things this time around might be different, though. Ive took over as the head of software design last year after Forstall was ousted from the company. Since then, according to Bloomberg's sources, he's been closely reviewing iOS and looking to dramatically overhaul key applications in the software, including its e-mail and calendaring tool.

The trouble is, with WWDC just a little over a month away, Apple is now scrambling to make Ive's required changes, according to Bloomberg, and has brought in staff from its OS X team to help finish up.

Ive made a name for himself as Steve Jobs' trusted hardware designer. When he was put in charge of software design at the company, it took some by surprise. However, supporters have said that Ive has a keen eye for design and has clear views on where he wants to go with the software.

We'll find out what Ive has come up with next month at WWDC. And as always, CNET will be there to cover every last minute of the event.

This story has been updated throughout the morning.