New iPhone 5S coming soon, but iOS 7 delayed

Jony Ive must remove all trace of Scott's skeuomorphism from iOS.

Sigh. It's Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone-release-date rumor season again. This time, it's the supposed iPhone 5S refresh, plus the ever-popular low-cost iPhone scuttlebutt. Yes, the world is falling over itself to tell you about deep-throat-leaks from shady people "familiar with" this and that.

In IT Blogwatch, bloggers can't help themselves but dance to Katie's tune.

Your humble blogwatcher curated these bloggy bits for your entertainment.

Lorraine Luk, Jessica E. Lessin and Eva Dou channel those ubuitous "people familiar with the device's production":

Apple Inc. plans to begin production of a refreshed iPhone...in the second quarter of the year...teeing up a possible summer launch. ... At the same time, Apple continues to work...on a less expensive iPhone. ... An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.

...

The two devices reflect new pressures on Apple. ...consumer demand for cheaper products is spiking...squeezing margins and dividing profits. ... Investor confidence in Apple has sagged to address the more sober reality for smartphones.  MORE

As ever, Jonny Evans is our go-to guy:

...the "cheap" iPhone [that] Apple has previously said it has no plans to produce may be made available in multiple colors. ... [This] may also explain earlier reports claiming the company had cut production of the current model. ... The new model of Apple's flagship iPhone product appears likely to maintain the design of the iPhone 5.

...

To be honest, it's open season on timing. ... Apple seems intent on throwing a few dice.

...

Apple investors might consider how effective a major product introduction...might be to regaining some of Apple's lost stock price.  MORE

But John Gruber brings bad news:

iOS 7 is running behind, and engineers have been pulled from OS X 10.9.  MORE

Rene Ritchie [no relation] brings better news:

Ive's work is apparently making many people really happy, but will also apparently make rich-texture-loving designers sad.  MORE

Huh? Jon Mundy decodes it for us:

Apple's hardware design supremo Jony Ive took responsibility for the company's UI work late last year, so a complete revamp of Apple's increasingly dated OS is perhaps unsurprising.  MORE

However, Jim Phong phears the worst:

They better not screw it up with a iOS7 that tries to mimic the atrocious Microsoft Metro as...recently rumored. [It] would be Apple demise and a huge mess.  MORE

Meanwhile, Cliff dives in with his predictions:

June WWDC: iOS 7 Previewed

September: iPhone 5S Launches ...

October: iPad Mini 2 [and] iPad 5 introduced.  MORE

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