iOS 7 is clearly how Apple sees the future of mobile design. It’s a radical departure from anything the company has ever done before. The general aesthetic also feels a lot more like Android and even Windows Phone 8.

Whether it’s intentional or by pure coincidence, Apple’s internal nickname for iOS 7 happens to be the same as Microsoft’s for Windows 8, according to a new report.

The Wall Street Journal is saying that Apple employees have been calling iOS 7 “Modern UI.” Ironically, Microsoft employees call the Windows 8 “Metro” interface the same thing. It’s a fairly generic term, but still interesting when you consider how the two companies have battled in areas like advertising for years.

But Apple isn’t keen to encourage comparisons to its archrival. So, Apple presenters have been told not call it “Modern UI” in demonstrations, the people familiar with the matter said.

9to5Mac’s Mark%20Gurman%20has%20previously%20reported%20that%20Apple%20internally%20called%20iOS%207%20″ data-lasso-id=”99917″>@June 13, 2013

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Image: John Menard