The relevant paragraph from the original WSJ article:
"Some suggested that in Apple’s next mobile operating system, Ive is pushing a more “flat design” that is starker and simpler, according to developers who have spoken to Apple employees but didn’t have further details. Overall, they expect any changes to be pretty conservative."
I wouldn't exactly say that switching to a completely flat design as implied in the headline is a 'conservative' change.
It's quite obvious that they are unlikely to go down the overly skeuomorphic route as seen in the Podcast app, so this is a fairly 'safe' rumor to spread. But of course, it incites the usual skeuomorphic vs flat arguments with the added bonus of accusations of 'copying' the Metro style.
There are many misconceptions in regards to categorizing flat vs skeuomorphic design, here is a good article that explains the differences pretty well.
"Some suggested that in Apple’s next mobile operating system, Ive is pushing a more “flat design” that is starker and simpler, according to developers who have spoken to Apple employees but didn’t have further details. Overall, they expect any changes to be pretty conservative."
I wouldn't exactly say that switching to a completely flat design as implied in the headline is a 'conservative' change.
It's quite obvious that they are unlikely to go down the overly skeuomorphic route as seen in the Podcast app, so this is a fairly 'safe' rumor to spread. But of course, it incites the usual skeuomorphic vs flat arguments with the added bonus of accusations of 'copying' the Metro style.
There are many misconceptions in regards to categorizing flat vs skeuomorphic design, here is a good article that explains the differences pretty well.
http://sachagreif.com/flat-pixels/