iOS is now undoubtedly the most famous operating system in the world. But not many people know that it was also the first ever system that operated a touch screen mobile phone, which was introduced in 2007. Since then, numerous modifications and upgrades were designed with a single aim – making it even more user-friendly, simple and fast.
Here are the few important stages in the iOS’s 10-year-old history.
How iOS Changed Throughout the Years
In the 10 years, there have been 11 versions of iOS implemented by the tech giant. The unique feature of iOS is that it is fully integrated with the hardware it is used on, and thus its features, size, and capabilities very much depended on how advanced the new iPhone or iPad was each time it was launched.
iOS 1 already had smooth angle icons, the key feature of Apple’s design. It also featured pages (separate screens), multitouch gestures and Safari, Apple’s own Internet browser on a mobile device.
Every new iOS came one year after the previous one and had a significant increase in MB size. In 2008, Apple added App Store, Maps and push notifications for emails in the iOS 2. iOS 3 already featured voice control, more advanced search, landscape keyboard and cut, paste and copy options. The first two iOS versions were not free of charge, unlike the versions that followed.
In 2010, iOS 4 came out, simultaneously with everyone’s favorite iPhone 4. It was free and was already installed on every device on sale. This was the first time that iOS was actually called so (and not iPhone OS, like the second and third versions). Among the new features were Apple’s iconic wallpapers, folders to pack icons into, iBooks for iPad 2 and FaceTime. It also allowed for multitasking.
iOS 5 came next along with iPhone 4S, introducing a few new key features, among which:
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Siri, a voice command control point
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iMessage application
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Notification Center
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Reminders
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Newsstand
iOS 5 was also a significant upgrade over the previous versions because it allowed to install applications and updates using the Internet connection, and not connecting the phone to a computer with a wire. It also had integration with iCloud.
The next big thing was iOS 7, since iOS 6 offered few innovations comparing to iOS 5. iOS 7, despite some design controversies related to Maps, introduced the very handy AirDrop for mobile devices and Photos application, as well as iTunes Radio extension.
iOS 8 was designed to go with the sixths iPhones. It allowed keyboards from other developers (something Apple never does), iCloud Drive, and Apple Music, which substituted the usual cord-dependent music player. It also allowed purchased content to be shared between families.
The important features of iOS 9 and 10 are those that came with 3D touch hardware. 3D Touch allowed for more hands-on and ergonomic navigation of photos, emails, and messages. They also had updated apps like Messages and Maps.
The newest (eleventh) version of iOS will come this fall. It promises updates to Siri, Maps and other applications, as well as ARKit for augmented reality. The iPad users will now enjoy dragging and dropping files and app icons, a new Files application and more advanced multitasking features.