Apple falling behind with iOS update?

Jonathan Ive, six months into an expanded role as Apple's top product visionary, has embarked on a sweeping software overhaul that leaves the company at risk of falling behind on a new version of the operating system that runs iPhones and iPads, say people with knowledge of the matter. [...] in charge of product design, Ive assumed oversight of the look and feel of software running all Apple electronics in a shakeup by Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook last year that included the departure of software chief Scott Forstall. Ive has begun revamping iPhone and iPad applications, shunning realistic images such as wood bookshelves for the Newsstand feature, and he's exploring more dramatic changes to the e-mail and calendar tools, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. Ive is also methodically reviewing new designs, seeking to avoid a repeat of last year's release of a map application that was widely panned, and he's encouraging collaboration between the software and hardware divisions, which operated separately under co-founder Steve Jobs, people said. 'Tidying up' neededAn operations expert who built Apple's vast supply chain, Cook opted to leave the minutiae of product design to Ive amid intensifying competition from Samsung Electronics and Google. Hidden screensWhile the exact changes Ive is making to Apple's mobile software remain secret, they are significant enough that those with test versions have a special film over their iPhone screens to obstruct what others can see, one person said, a detail previously reported by the website Daring Fireball.