New quick app switching & other concepts show options on the table for iOS 7 [Videos]

With the recent departure of longtime iOS chief Scott Forstall, many expect some big changes in iOS 7. Not only is Jony Ive taking over design responsibilities related to iOS, but also Apple is increasingly coming under criticism for its aging core iOS apps and highly requested features already available on other platforms that it has yet to implement. We discussed some of the big software features iOS 7 might have in store, but today we present a roundup of the best iOS 7 concepts we could find starting with a new one from the creator of jailbreak tweak Auxo.

Sentry, the original designer behind the popular Auxo jailbreak tweak, yesterday posted the new Quick App Switching concept above (via iFun). While Auxo provided a screenshot of running apps integrated into the iOS multitasking tray, the concept above takes a different approach and aims to add speed to the app switching process.

This next concept comes from YouTube user imjeanmarc and shows a tray accessible from the lock screen, providing quick toggles for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2BAFlLzkH3M

This iOS concept included a number of new takes on current iOS features, as well as some new ones. In this concept, YouTube user almanimation suggested what the majority of the other concepts do: Apple needs to make improvements to multitasking and quick access to settings.

Another take on multitasking comes from BlogB13:

Perhaps more interesting is the same designer’s concept of a revamped Notification Center:

Another highly requested feature that Android users have had for quite some time is widgets. YouTuber Max Rudberg recently imagined how Apple could bring live, resizable widgets to iOS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=D96TDxXRDgc

BlogB13 also shares a concept of a new social hub type app for iOS that completely rethinks the iOS contacts app:

We recently imagined what new big software features Apple could bring to the iPhone 5S in iOS 7. It’s possible Apple could bring software features exclusive to the iPhone 5S—like it did with “S” phone launches in the past. Apps and features that might require upgraded hardware, such as a fingerprint sensor, NFC, and a faster CPU, are likely candidates. Some of the features we hoped to see in the iPhone 5S include offline Siri, an upgraded NFC-capable Passbook app, and new camera features.  What do you hope to see in iOS 7?