History of Apple's Mobile Operating System

In initial days of digitalization, Operating Systems were only used for the computers but as technology evolved utilization of operating systems were also increased.

Now, operating systems are also used for mobile phones. Currently, iOS and Android are the two widely used operating systems for mobile phones.

In 2007, Apple changed the game with the introduction of its smartphone and the first-ever mobile operating system. Now Apple's mobile operating system is known as iOS that runs on more than billions of devices.

Let's take a look at how the iOS OS has evolved throughout the course of the last decade.

iOS 1

iOS 1 was launched on 9 January 2007, it was the first ever touch-centric mobile operating system. iOS 1 had no official name, but Steve Jobs said it was the version of OS X onstage in 2007 because it shared code with Mac's operating system.

Exclusive features included multi-touch gestures, visual voicemail, mobile web browsing on safari and YouTube app. In January 2008 update added a customizable home screen that allowed users to move apps to dedicated "pages" on the device. That update was free for the iPhone users but iPod touch users had to pay $19.99.

iOS 2

After the release of the iPhone SDK on 6 March 2008, Apple officially announced its operating system as "iPhone OS". This version came prepackaged with the iPhone 3G and offered the features like the App Store, Maps with GPS and push email. Again this update was free for the iPhone users and $9.95 for the iPod Touch users with free iOS 2.x updates.

iOS 3

iPhone OS 3 came up with the iPhone 3G S and included new features like voice control, multimedia messaging, spotlight search, a landscape keyboard, and cut, copy, and paste functions for the touch screen. iPhone OS become iOS after introducing the iPad in March 2010. Again iOS 3 was free for the iPhone users but iPod touch users still had to pay $9.95 with the free iOS 3.x updates.

iOS 4

iOS 4 came pre-installed with the iPhone 4 and iPad 2, it was officially marketed as iOS. It introduced wallpapers, multitasking, folders, face time, and iBooks for iPad. First time iPod touch users did not need to pay to upgrade. This version also became Apple's first CDMA capable phone that delivered iOS to Verizon users.

iOS 5

iOS 5 introduced Siri, Notification Center, iMessage, Reminders, and Newsstand. It became notable because it cut the computer cord, users could activate and set up their devices wirelessly and out of the box with over the air updates. iOS 5 also brought the introduction of iCloud and Twitter integration.

iOS 6

iOS 6 was included with the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini and provided the pre-installed Google Maps and YouTube, which users had to download from the App Store. It also included Apple's own Maps app, introducing turn by turn navigation, as well as Facebook integration, Passbook, and LTE support.

iOS 7

After iOS 6 become infamous for its Maps controversy, Apple's Senior Vice President of design Jonathan Ive took over redesigning the iOS. That is the reason that iOS 7 trashed its previous skeuomorphic graphics and included a design overhaul with the refined typography, new icons, translucency, and layering. Prepackaged with the iPhone 5S, 5C, iPad mini 2, the flat OS included new features like a control center, AirDrop for iOS, a revamped Photos app, iTunes Radio, and CarPlay.

iOS 8

iOS 8 came with the iPhone 6 and 6 plus an iPad Air 2. It built of iOS 7 and contained new features like Apple Pay, new Health App, HandOff, QuickType, Family, Sharing, iCloud Drive, third-party keyboard support and Apple music. This version became the first iOS to have the public beta testing available outside of developers before its initial release.

iOS 9

This version was designed to work with 3D touch in the new iPhone 6S and 6S plus. It also included new features such as an updated Notes app to support drawing sketches and adding images. Passbook renamed Wallet and supported loyalty cards and gift cards. To coincide with the introduction of the iPad Pro, iPad family gained new features like Slide Over and Split View for enhanced multitasking. Picture in Picture to watch videos while using other apps.

iOS 9 also improved battery time and offered a Low Power Mode, a six-digit passcode for added security. To combat device with low storage, iOS 9 was significantly smaller, and apps could automatically be deleted and reinstall to accommodate the update.

iOS 10

This version delivered a raft of changes to frequently used apps like Messages, better integration involving Siri and 3D Touch and more access to Apple apps for third-party developers. This version allowed users to remove some Apple apps from the Home Screen just like any other third party app. A revamped Widgets screen could be accessed from the left to right swipe from the Home Screen. Apple changed the look of the Home Screen to give users quick access to the information and data without having to unlock the device.

iOS 11

Apple previewed iOS 11 at its annual WWDC conference in June 2017. It introduced a new app for the iPad called Files, reminiscent of MacOS Finder, for users to browse and search, and organize files on their device from iCloud Drive, Box, and Dropbox. This version provided a new customizable dock feature that allowed users to open and switch apps instantly with a simple swipe. Users could open a second app right from the dock, and new Drag and Drop capabilities allow users to move text, photos, and files from one app to another.

Lots of new features were introduced in iOS 11 such as File app and Dock for iPad, improved multitasking for iPad, Drag and Drop for iPad, ARKit, Apple Pay Cash, new app store, and many more.

iOS 12

This version was designed to make devices released as far back as 2013 faster and more responsive with the Swift app launch times. Users with AR compatible devices can share their experiences, use object detection and add image tracking apps to make apps more dynamic. Apple announced the upcoming version iOS 13 at WWDC June 2019.

This version has some major updates and new features such as improved performance on older devices, shared AR experience, memoji and camera effects for iPhone X users, group face time, Siri Shortcuts, screen time, third-party CarPlay support, and many more.

These are the released versions of iOS. To know about the upcoming version iOS 13 reach us. We help you to know the different technologies and frameworks for iOS application development.

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