Next Apple iPhone will reportedly feature a 12MP camera

The anticipated next iPhone, although itself still not fully emigrated from rumorland, is expected to feature an improved camera sensor compared to the one found on the current Apple flagship. The iPhone 5 features an 8MP camera sensor with an f/2.4 aperture, hybrid IR filter, and backside illumination. A source working for Wonderful Saigon Electrics, the manufacturer that makes Apple's camera modules, alleges that the next iPhone (which is referred to as iPhone 5S) will come with an updated 12MP camera, complete with improved shooting under low-light conditions and HDR support.

Apple is under increased pressure as of late with recent Android flagships like the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 expected to quickly steal marketshare from its iOS platform. The Cupertino giant needs to produce a device that will really raise some eyebrows, and an updated camera sensor may be one of the ingredients it needs.

iOS 7 behind schedule but will have significantly updated UI

It seems the upcoming iOS 7 update is running behind schedule, according to the Daring Fireball. Engineers are now reportedly being pulled from the OS X 10.9 update to work on Apple's mobile operating system.

While that may seem like a bummer, there is good news as well. It seems that iOS 7 will be a major overhaul in terms of UI design over the previous versions of the operating system. The heavily skeuomorphic UI elements, such as leather trim, linen backgrounds and torn paper edges are reportedly being trashed, hopefully in favor of a cleaner, simpler UI. Engineers who are field testing the OS are carrying special devices with polarizing filters on the screen that limits the visibility so as to not give the new UI away. They normally wouldn't go this far if it wasn't significantly different. Ever since Scott Forstall left Apple and handed over the reigns of iOS to Sir Jonathan Ive, it has been speculated as to what direction the future versions of iOS will take under the command of their new master. While Forstall clearly favored a more flamboyant approach to design, Ive has a much more simpler and minimalistic style, as can be seen from Apple's hardware. As such, it is no surprise that iOS will also be taking a similar route in terms of design under Ive. Other than getting rid of the gaudy UI elements that had few fans, the new update will also give iOS a much needed UI refresh, which has clearly started looking long in the tooth. We can now say we are genuinely looking forward to seeing what Apple has to showcase this year. Hopefully, they won't take too long.