This past monday June 12th, Apple released to the world their new mobile operating system, iOS 7. And the reactions have been mixed. Although most have been positive there has been some backlash about the the look. Gone is the bulky life like design that imitates real objects (the notepad for Notes, the bookshelf for iBooks, the green felt in the Game Center, etc.) and in their place a thinner, transparent and flatter aesthetic now defines the iPhone.

The change is not only visual but functional. There is a lot more features this time. Enough features to radically change user interface and ultimately the way apps are developed and experienced. So what do these changes mean?

First there is the new automatic app update. This is a relief for every single developer. There will no longer be a need to support various versions of the apps, a major resource drain. There will just be one version everybody will use. Bugs and fixes will occur much faster and bad reviews will be smaller as fixes occur on the fly.

Then there is the issue of design and backwards compatibility. The apps that need to support iOS 4.3 through iOS 6 will need to adjust to the new functions. They need to evolve visually as well and it will be limiting on both fronts. Will developers have to make different versions for each iOS? That remains to be seen, but one thing is certain all apps will need to be redesign to fit iOS 7.

This is great news for incoming developers and newly created apps. They get to come into a a brand new market. The older apps who will no doubt take time to adjust to the technical aspects will have to face apps that will take full advantage of them. Sure there’s all the flashlights apps will be useless now but, It’s a perfect time to make and develop apps exclusively for iOS 7.