The Evolution of iOS

The Evolution of iOS

 

Progression of iOS

Just as a computer would be useless without an operating system, so would a phone. In 2007, Apple changed the game with the introduction of it's smartphone and first-ever mobile operating system.

The iPhone sure has evolved over the past eight years, and so has iOS. Apple has introduced features in iOS that many users wouldn't be abele to imagine life without, like iMessage, the App Store, FaceTime, Siri, iCloud, Apple Pay and so on.

Here we explore the evolution of Apple's iOS and how it has shaped the functionality of the iPhone and other iOS devices, like to iPad Touch and the iPad.

 iOS1
Apple's first-ever touch-centric mobile operating system was announced on Jan. 9, 2007 when former CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone. The OS was enver officially recognized, but Jobs called it 'software' that runs a mobile version of Apple's desktop OS X. Features included multi-touch gestures, visual voicemail, mobile web browsing on Safari and a YouTube app. A January 2008 update added a customisable home screen that let users move apps to dedicated "pages" on the device and gave iPad Touch users, but iPad Touch users had to pay $19.99.

 iOS2
After the release of the iPhone SDK on March 6, 2008, Apple officially recognized its mobile operating system as iPhone OS. iPhone OS 2 came prepackaged with the iPhone 3G, and offered features like the App Store, Maps with GPS and push email. The update was free for iPhone users and $9.95 for iPad Touch users (with free iOS 2.X updates after).

 iOS 3
iPhone OS 3 came with the iPhone 3G S and included few features like voice control; multimedia messaging; potlight search; a landscape keyboard; and (finally) cut, copy and paste functions. After Apple introduced the iPad in March 2010, iPhone OS became iOS. iOS 3 was free for iPhone users, but iPad Touch users still had to pay $9.95 (with free iOS 3.X updates after). When it became available, the iPad had iOS 3.2 pre-installed; as an incentive for iPod Touch users who still hadn't updated to iOS3, the price was reduced to $4.95.

iOS 4
iOS 4 came preinstalled with the iPhone 4 and iPad 2. Officially marked as 'iOS', it introduces wallpapers, multitasking, folders and FaceTime, and iBook for iPad. For the first time with iOS 4, iPad Touch users did not have to pay to upgrade. The iPhone 4 also became Apple's first CDMA-Capable phone that delivered iOS to Verizon users.

iOS 5
Pre-packaged with iPhone 4S, a week after the death of Steve Jobs, iOS 5 introduced Siri, Notification Center, iMessage, Reminders and Newsstand. iOS 5 became notable because it cut the computer cord -- users could activate and setup their devices wirelessly and out-of-the-box with over-the-air updates. iOS5 also brought the introduction of iCloud and Twitter integration.

iOS 6
iOS 6 was included with the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini, and parted ways with the pre-installed Google Maps and YouTube, which users had to manually download from the App Store. iOS 6 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 became infamous for its Maps controversy, Apple's then-Senior Vice President of Design (now Chef Design Officer), Jonathan Ive took over redesigning the iOS after the departure of former Senior Vice President of iOS Software Scott Forstall. iOS 7 trashed its previous skeumorphic graphics and included a design overhaul with refined typograpy, new icons, translucency and layering. Prepackaged with the iPhone 5S, 5C, iPad Air and iPad mini 2, the flat OS included new features like 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 and the iPad Air 2. It built off of iOS 7 and contained new features like Apple Pay, a new Health app, HandOff, QuickType, Family Sharing, Icloud Driev, third-party keyboard support and (in mid-2015) Apple Music. iOS 8 became the first iOS to have public beta testing available outside of developers before its initial release.

iOS 9
iOS 9 is designed to work with 3D Touch in the new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. It also includes new features such as updated Notes app to support drawing sketckes and adding images, a revamped Maps app with transit directions in select U.S. cities and a News app, which replaces Newsstand and displays news from sources such as CNN, Wired and The New York Times. Passbook will be renamed Wallet and will support loyalty cards and gift cards. To Coincide with the introduction of the iPad Pro, the iPad family will gain new features like Slide Over and Split View for enhanced multitasking; Picture in Picture to watch videos while in other apps; and shortcut support (cut, copy and paste) for wireless keyboards. iOS 9 improves battery time (up to one hour) and offers a Low Power Mode, a six-digit passcode for added security and Android migration. To combat devices with low storage, iOS 9 will be significantly smaller and apps will automatically delete and then reinstall to accommodate updates.

iOS 10
iOS 10 delivers 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. In iOS 10, many Apple apps can now be removed from the Home Screen just like any third-party app. There's a revamped Widgets screen that's accessed with a left-to-right swipe from the Home Screen, and Apple has changed the Lock Screen to give users quicker access to information and data without having to unlock device. And the Maps app continues to evolve as Apple works to bring it to closer to par with its Google counterpart. (Credit the work Apple did on the back end to improve database listings and directions.) Although therer aren't big-name "wow" features, the overall combination of tweaks makes iOS 10 feel more cohesive and useful.

iOS 11
Apple previewed iOS 11 at its annual WWDC conference in June 2017. It introduced a new app for iPad called Files, reminiscent of MacOS's Finder, for users to browse, search, and organize files on their devices from iCloud Drive, Box, and Dropbox. A new customizable dock feature also lets users open and switch apps instantly with a simple swipe. Users can open 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. WIth Apple Pencil, users can easily mark up PDF on screenshots, or tao the Lock Screen to open the Notes app. Notes features a special algorithm that can search handwriting and has the capability to quickly scan and mark up documents. QuickType feartures one inclusive keyboard, and with a simple flock, users cna quickly select letters, numbers, symbols and punctuation marks from one place. A new ARKit allows developers to bring augmented reality to hundreds of millions of iOS devices. Users can now send money to friends via Apple Pay in Messages, and a new Apple Pay Cash cards can be used to shop online and within apps and transfer money to personal bank accounts. The App redesigned and customizable, and Maps features indoor maps for airports and shopping malls. Do Not Disturn can also be activated when driving to avoid distracting notifications. Holding a new iPhone near and iOS device or Mac triggers Automatic Setup that quickly imports personal settings, preferences, and iCloud Keychain Passwords. A public beta will be available this summer, and the master version will be available this Fall.

Courtesy = http://www.computerworld.com/article/2975868/apple-ios/the-evolution-of-ios.html