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What if iOS 9 came with a major interface overhaul inspired by the Apple Watch?

Published Oct 22nd, 2014 3:45PM EDT
iPhone 6 Apple Watch iOS User Interface
Image: Apple Inc.

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Apple’s iOS mobile operating system works on a variety of devices, with screen sizes starting at 3.5 inches and going all the way up to 9.7 inches. Over the years Apple had to adapt its iOS design to fit more and more display sizes and resolutions, especially with the introduction of the bigger iPhone 6 models. But now, 9to5Mac thinks it has found a solution to make sure future iOS versions will adapt to any display without causing hassles for developers or end users.

FROM EARLIER: Here’s how to fix iPhone 6 Plus battery problems after the iOS 8.1 update

The publication has imagined a new user interface for iOS, which is based on the UI found on the Apple Watch. By replacing square icons with round ones, and by removing grids and home screens and replacing them with an Apple Watch-like app arrangement that can be zoomed in and out, Apple would offer a similar UI across all devices.

Such a UI would also help users better deal with bigger iPhones when it comes to one-hand operation, because they could simply zoom in and rotate the elements of the screen to easily reach the app they desire. Folder functionality would also be kept in place, even though pages would disappear. As for app icons, they could easily be made round instead of square, the publication says, which is something developers may already be doing for upcoming Apple Watch apps.

However, what the article doesn’t show is how such a UI would work on a tablet. After all, any changes Apple makes to the iOS interface in future versions would have to be work well on both the iPhone and iPad.

Images showing this Apple Watch-inspired UI for the iPhone follow below, with more pictures and the full article available by following the link down in our source section.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.