IOS History

The launch of iOS 6 in September 2012 was controversial due to licensing conflicts that resulted in Google Maps application being replaced with Apple's own mapping software. Upon launch, users who had upgraded reported several errors regarding the service's accuracy and completeness, leading to CEO Tim Cook to apologize for the errors and suggest iOS 6 users use other mapping applications available in the App Store. Consequently, on October 29, 2012, Scott Forstal was dismissed as Senior Vice President (SVP) of iOS and his responsibilities divided among Jony Ive, who became the company-wide SVP for Human Interface, Craig Federighi, whose role as SVP for Mac Software Engineering was expanded to include iOS, Eddy Cue, who gained leadership for Maps and Siri under his duties as SVP for Internet Software and Services, and Bob Mansfield, who returned from his recent retirement to become SVP for Technologies.Forstall's departure was attributed to his refusal to sign a letter admitting to responsibility for errors in the Maps service.
Ive is considered to be a proponent of flat design compared to Forstall and former CEO Steve Jobs, who supported skeuomorphic design.In September 2012, Fast Company published a feature on the skeuomorphism controversy within Apple, citing designer complaints over the faux-leather in iCal—designed to imitate seating in Jobs' personal airliner—and Jobs' support of casino-like elements within Game Center in iOS 4.1. Almost immediately after Ive's appointment, speculation started that Ive would seek to remove skeuomorphic elements within the operating system.
iOS 7 Beta 1 was announced and released at WWDC, on June 10, 2013,with iOS 7 Beta 2 being released on June 24, 2013. On July 8, 2013, iOS 7 beta 3 was released to developers.