History Of The Apple IOS Operating System

The iPhone, which is made by apple is one of the most popular smartphones in the world since its inception more than a decade ago. It has become the preferred choice of many people in the world today.

The iPhone is powered by the IOS operating system. The operating system is made by apple and it is strictly for use by the iPhone and other gadgets made by apple alone. Apple does not allow other manufacturers to use the IOS and this has added to the exclusivity of the iPhones, this can explain in part why the iPhones are expensive than your average smartphone.

In today’s article, we will be taking a look at all the IOS versions that have been made since the beginning of the iPhone. 

IOS 1

This was the first version of the IOS to be released by Apple. It was released on 29th June 2007. Its final version was released on 15th July in 2008. It came with features such as a camera, calendar, photos, safari, notes, phone, mail, iPod, videos, music, and more. This was also compatible with the iPod touch.

IOS 2

This was the second version of IOS OS and it was initially released on July 11th, 2008. The final version of the OS came on January 27th, 2009. Apple ended support for this OS in 2011.

The second version of the IOS was the first to introduce third-party applications and had several features more than its predecessor such as text, app store, settings, calculator, weather, stocks, maps, and iTunes among others. 

IOS 3

The IOS 3 was the third installment in the IOS lineup and it was revealed on 11th June 2010, while its final version was released on August 11, 2010. Apple later ended support for this IOS in 2012.

This IOS was the first to introduce the ‘spotlight’ and ‘search’ indexing features. These features were designed to help iPhone users to connect information easily to their devices. IOs 3 also came with the features of its predecessor and added new ones like youtube and voice memos. Users could also now record videos and do ‘copy and paste’

IOS 4

Released on 22nd June in 2010, the IOS 4 quickly followed on the heels of the IOS 3. Its final version was released on 25th July in 2011. Support from apple ceased for the IOS 4 in 2013. This version came with folders on the home screen and the number of displayable apps was increased. New features included a spell check camera, safari, and home screen.

Key features on this IOS are 

1. Multitasking
2. Airprint
3. IBooks
4. Airplay
5. Facetime
6. Personal hotspot

IOS 5

As cloud computing kept growing, apple responded to it by releasing the IOS 5. The new OS came with revamped features and many more and was the first to feature the iCloud capability. There was also the Newstand feature and the first introduction of Siri.

Notable features are

1. Imessage
2. iCloud  
3. notification center
4. wireless syncing

IOS 6

The initial release of the IOS 6was on 19th September 2012 and the final version was released on February 21st, 2014. Support for it ended in 2015. It came with some key features such as a passbook, apple maps, and ‘do not disturb’ 

IOS 7

The IOS 7 focused its attention on the user interface and came with features like airdrop, car play, touch id, activation lock design, control center, and many others. It was initially released on 18th September 2013.

IOS 8

The initial version of the IOS 8 was made available on 17th September 2014 and the final version was released on 13th august 2015. Apple still supports this operating system. The new OS came with key features like spotlight, continuity, apple pay, iCloud drive, family sharing, handoff, and third-party keyboard.

IOS 9

The 9th edition of the IOS was released on September 16, 2015. It was an improvement over the previous OS as it came with several new features like low power mode, night shift, and public beta program. It is still supported by apple currently.

IOS 10

Released on 19th July 2017, the ios 10 came with incorporated changes like 3D touch and the lock screen. The image recognition of the ios 10 impressed reviewers very much. It also came with features like iMessage apps and built-in apps deletion. The final version of the app was released on 13th September 2016and apple still supports this OS.

IOS 11

The generation of Apple OS was unveiled on September 19, 2017, by apple. It came with customization and interoperability features. Along with a display option on the lock screen, the o same feature as airplay 2 and augmented reality. The IOS 11 is still supported by Apple.

IOS 12 

The IOS 12 is the latest version of the mobile operating system from Apple and it was released on 17th September in 2018. It came with several key features such as,

1. Grouped notification
2. Group facetime
3. 70 emojis
4. Battery improvement
5. Arkit 2.0
6. QR code
7. Screen time
8. Apple tv
9. Portrait mode that has been updated

Conclusion

So there you have it. These are all the apple IOS operating system that has been developed over the years. Which one are you running on your iPhone right now? Let us know in the comments.