Apple Inc., announced Monday it will release its redesigned operating system, known as iOS 7, in the fall of 2013, a move that will mark the introduction of the most significant changes to the cellphone and tablet system since its introduction in 2007.

Apple, which did not provide a specific release date, presented the new system at its developers' conference in San Francisco on Thursday, introducing a simpler design and new features such as quick access to system settings, automatic app updates and easier file sharing for people in close proximity.

"iOS 7 brings with it the most significant changes that we've made to the user interface since the introduction of the very first iOS," said Apple design chief Johnathan Ive in a video introducing the new system.

The new system includes redesigned typography, icons that are flatter instead of three-dimensional, an emphasis on a lighter color palette as well as transparency effects in apps.

"We tried to create an interface that is unobstrusive and deferential," Ive said.

New features include the 'Control Center,' which allows access to system settings with one swipe from the bottom of any screen. Among the adjustable features in the center are those for airplane mode, wi-fi, Bluetooth, lock screen, brightness and music playback.

The 'Notification Center' gives an at-a-glance look at everyday information such as weather, road traffic, personalized calendar information, recent texts and call records.

A new multi-tasking feature automatically updates content a user utilizes most. The system also uses time stamp and location information for each photo to organize them into "moments and collections."

Another feature called AirDrop allows users to see other nearby users for easy file sharing.