Tim Cook says Jony Ive is ‘really key’ to iOS redesign coming at WWDC

Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed what many have long assumed — that Jony Ive is working on a new version of iOS, and that it will be revealed at WWDC next month. Speaking at the D11 conference, Cook said that Apple “recognized that Jony had contributed significantly to the look and feel of Apple over many many years and could do that for our software as well,” calling the designer “absolutely incredible.”

Ive is the creative force behind many of Apple’s most iconic hardware designs, but was handed an additional role in “human interface” last year following the removal of Scott Forstall as iOS senior VP. Recent weeks have seen rumors that iOS 7 will feature a “flat” UI that removes much of the glossy, realistic sheen currently seen in Apple’s software.

When asked if the new version of iOS is indeed what Ive has been working on, Cook replied in the affirmative, calling him “really key” to the update. The CEO wouldn’t be drawn on specifics, only saying that new versions of both iOS and OS X would be on show at Apple’s developer conference in less than two weeks, and that he will “let you be the judge” as to how significant the changes are.