Apple Delays Major iOS Updates to 2019 (Report)

Apple has decided not to change the iPhone’s home screen design when it unveils a new version of its iOS operating system later this year, according to a new Axios report. The company decided to delay some major iOS updates to next year, and instead focus on performance and reliability for this year’s update.

Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Apple’s senior VP of software engineering Craig Federighi announced the changed roadmap internally to employees earlier this month, according to the report. Apple is expected to unveil the next version of iOS at its WWDC developer conference this summer, and then ship it to consumers when it releases the next iPhone in September.

In addition to the new home screen, some of the other features delayed until 2019 include updates to apps like Mail as well as features around the taking, editing and sharing of photos, according to Axios. The company is still expected to ship updates to its ARKit augmented reality platform, and is reportedly also looking to revamp e-book and audiobook reading with a new Books app.

These latest revelations about a change in pace for iOS updates comes days before Apple is set to report its holiday quarter earnings this coming Thursday. Apple has had a couple of excellent quarters, thanks to renewed iPhone sales growth. However, this week, reports surfaced that the company is cutting iPhone X production by as much as 50% amid weak demand for the $1000 phone.

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