iOS

The world’s most advanced mobile operating system

4,849 'iOS' stories August 2010 - January 2015

iOS is Apple’s mobile operating system that runs on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Historically, Apple releases a new iOS version once a year, the current version is iOS 13.

In 2007, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone and iPhone OS. During the event, Jobs referred to the operating system as OS X because it shared a similar Unix core compared to the Mac. When Apple launched the iPhone SDK a year later, they officially changed the name to iPhone OS.

In the summer of 2008, Apple added the App Store to iPhone OS with version 2.0, and this set the stage for the “app economy” that we still enjoy to this day.

Version 3.0 was released in 2009, and it included copy/paste, MMS support, Spotlight, mobile tethering, and push notifications for 3rd party apps.

In version 4, Apple finally renamed iPhone OS to iOS (with the iPad sharing the same software). The major features were multitasking and FaceTime.

iOS 5.0 introduced Notification Center, iMessage, Siri, and iCloud.

iOS 6.0 removes Google Maps in favor of Apple Maps and added the Passbook app (now known as Wallet).

Version 7.0 brought a dramatic redesign of iOS with a new font, flatter icons, a and new Photos app. The redesign was led by Jony Ive.

Version iOS 8.0, Apple finally allowed third-party keyboards and the ability to share files from different apps.

Version 9.0 included Apple Maps, an overhauled Notes app, and multitasking for iPad.

Version 10.0 included an SDK for Siri, Maps, and iMessages.

Version 11.0 included a new iPad Dock, Customizable Control center, drag and drop on iPad, and the Files app with third-party integration.

Version 12.0 added Screen Time features for managing your time on devices, the Shortcuts app, ARKit 2.0, and Memoji.

iOS 13 added Dark Mode, swipe-style typing, a redesigned share sheet, made app downloads 50% smaller, 2x faster app launch speed, Memoji Stickers and Memoji Makeup, HomeKit-enabled routers and HomeKit Secure Video, a new “Sign in with Apple” option for logging into third-party services, all-new Apple Maps, and much more.

Compatible Devices with iOS 13

iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone X
iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone SE
iPod touch (7th generation)

Roost smart 9V battery turns your dumb smoke alarms into connected ones

Ben Lovejoy Jan 8 2015 - 5:03 am PT

13 Comments

The plethora of smart home devices at CES makes it clear that home automation is an idea whose time has finally come. It seems there’s almost no household device now that can’t be controlled by, or at least communicate with, an iPhone.

The only downside is the expense of having to replace your perfectly good dumb devices with smart versions. This is the problem the Roost Smart Battery set out to solve, a WiFi-enabled 9v battery allowing your existing smoke alarm to send alerts to your iPhone when it’s triggered, so you get alerted even if the alarm is at the other end of the house or you’re away from home …
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iPod shuffle supplies mysteriously dwindle in stores and online

Mark Gurman Jan 7 2015 - 7:04 pm PT

17 Comments

“Ships to Store” indicates store has no units in stock

If you’re trying to buy Apple’s cheapest iPod, the $49 screen-less Shuffle, you may be in for a difficult shopping trip. According to multiple sources, supplies of the iPod Shuffle are dwindling across Apple’s physical retail and online channels. In fact, Apple has warned its retail employees that Shuffle supplies will be short for an unspecified period of time and that customers seeking to buy a Shuffle via a retail store should be directed to Apple’s online store…

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Apple to widen pre-release iOS testing by roping in retail employees

Mark Gurman Jan 7 2015 - 6:22 pm PT

13 Comments

Apple will begin providing select retail store employees access to upcoming versions of iOS in order to widen its pre-release testing program, according to multiple sources. The program will begin in the near-future with an upcoming iOS release, perhaps version 8.2, which is slated to be released alongside the Apple Watch…

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The best cases for the new iPad Air 2 & iPad mini at CES 2015

Jordan Kahn Jan 7 2015 - 4:04 pm PT

3 Comments

Yesterday we kicked off our running list of the best iPhone cases on show at CES 2015, and today we’ve started collecting the new and interesting iPad cases we’ve run into at the show. Some of the notables include a new case from AT&T that gives Wi-Fi only iPads access to LTE data in addition to a battery pack and microSD slot, and a new folio case from Incipio that adds a small display for smartwatch-like notifications without opening the cover.

Head below for the full list of the new iPad cases, most of which are scheduled to arrive sometime in the weeks and months to come.
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iHome debuts speakers, headphones, iPhone + iPad cases for Disney’s 2015 Cinderella blockbuster

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 7 2015 - 3:39 pm PT

2 Comments

Just ahead of Disney’s release of Cinderella, the highly anticipated live action movie version of the classic 1950 animated film, Apple accessory maker iHome today took the wraps off of a collection of elaborate new iPad and iPhone accessories.

(Photo credit: Benjamin Hendel)

The star of the collection is this model replica of the new Cinderella Golden Coach, which is currently on display at DisneyWorld in Orlando, FL. iHome’s upcoming version is called the Carriage Bluetooth Speaker, a highly intricate, sub-$70 version with a mesh, globe-shaped speaker in the center. As our photos show, the level of detail in the Golden Coach is really impressive, including faceted gold that almost looks bejeweled.

iHome has also developed a pair of Cinderella headphones, complete with a jeweled blue butterfly on the side – key to the movie – and noise isolating earbuds with blue jeweled sides and fabric cabling. Both feature in-line microphones and remote controls.

Finally, there are also some bespoke iPad and iPhone cases, including a quilted iPhone flip case with golden accents and a hand strap, a butterfly-laden iPhone 6 hard shell, and a quilted purse-like case for the iPad with a golden strap.

Disney’s Cinderella will be released in theaters on March 13, with the new lineup of iHome Cinderella accessories to follow.

9to5Mac’s CES 2015 coverage brought to you by:

The best iPad, iPhone + Mac accessories at the 2015 CES

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 7 2015 - 11:40 am PT

3 Comments

There are thousands of new Apple accessories at the 2015 CES – so many that it’s hard sometimes to separate what’s truly cool from everything else. Starting with HomeKit-integrated accessories, here’s our running list of the best new iPad, iPhone, and Mac products 9to5Mac has seen at the show. We updated this article on January 9, 2015 – the final day of CES – to include our last batch of top picks.

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The latest gadgets from CES 2015 to bring HomeKit automation and Siri integration to your setup

Zac Hall Jan 7 2015 - 11:20 am PT

1 Comment

At WWDC 2014, Apple first announced HomeKit which it describes as a “framework in iOS 8 for communicating with and controlling connected accessories” around your home, and we’re starting to see the first HomeKit-enabled accessories announced. HomeKit is especially interesting as smart devices that use it can be controlled by Siri commands like “turn off the lights” or “lock the front door” and actions can even be grouped together. Below you’ll find our running list of the latest gadgets from CES 2015 to bring HomeKit automation and Siri integration to your home:
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NY district attorney says Apple’s encryption policy “an issue of public safety” for law enforcement

Jordan Kahn Jan 7 2015 - 11:03 am PT

41 Comments

Bloomberg reports that a Manhattan District Attorney is challenging recent moves by Apple, Google and other tech companies by suggesting government pass laws that prevent mobile devices from being “sealed off from law enforcement.” In an interview this week, the government official called it “an issue of public safety.”
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August unveils $49 Connect accessory enabling Internet access to its Smart Lock

Zac Hall Jan 7 2015 - 10:40 am PT

3 Comments

Smart lock maker August announced its latest device today at CES 2015 simply dubbed ‘Connect’. The August Connect is an WiFi-connected device that plugs into a power outlet in your home to provide the Bluetooth-connected August Smart Lock with a constant Internet connection. August says its latest accessory enables several new features for owners of its smart lock product…
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Apple says iOS 8 now on 68% of iPhones and iPads

Zac Hall Jan 7 2015 - 6:47 am PT

6 Comments

Update 1/20: App Store Distribution Data updated today revealing iOS 8 adoption has climbed 1% from its previous measure at 68%. iOS 8 adoption now measures at 69% of active devices according to App Store data captured January 19th. The rate increase is in line with MixPanel’s increase to roughly 71% now up from roughly 70% toward the start of the month.

Apple has shared its latest App Store Distribution Data on iOS 8 adoption to report that some version of its current mobile operating system is installed on 68% of iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches. Apple tracks the rate of iOS 8 adoption based on devices accessing the App Store with the current data being captured on January 5th, 2015.
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Popularity of the iPhone 6/Plus sees Apple make market share gains around the world – Kantar

Ben Lovejoy Jan 7 2015 - 4:12 am PT

4 Comments

Worldwide smartphone sales data from Kantar shows that strong iPhone 6 sales helped Apple achieve market share gains in all but one of the nine countries surveyed. iOS increased its market share in the US, UK, China, Australia, Germany, France, Italy and Spain – with Japan the sole exception.

In the US, Apple’s share of the smartphone market jumped 4.3% year-on-year in the three months ending in November to 47.4%. No surprise that the iPhone 6 was the best-selling phone in the country, capturing 19% of all smartphone sales …
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Incipio debuts Prompt Notification Folio, first iPad folio with OLED screen for watch-style notifications

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 6 2015 - 2:39 pm PT

6 Comments

As a particularly interesting addition to its very wide new range of cases, Incipio today debuted Prompt Notification Folio for iPad Air 2 ($90) — the first iPad case with an integrated OLED screen capable of displaying phone-style notifications, shared either from an always-connected iPhone or the iPad inside. Head below for a closer look.
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Braven announces $99 Fuse wireless audio mixer that pairs with your Bluetooth devices & speakers

Jordan Kahn Jan 6 2015 - 11:59 am PT

0 Comments

There are a lot of audio mixers and DJ controllers on the market specifically for iPad and iPhone users, but so far most require you to run cables or dock your device in a rather large unit. The latest option that we got a chance to try during CES today is Braven’s new Fuse Bluetooth audio mixer, a lightweight wireless option that lets you connect two audio sources and your output all through Bluetooth:
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CES 2015: Moshi launches chic new AirPlay speaker Spatia

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 6 2015 - 8:04 am PT

0 Comments

Although Apple’s AirPlay wireless speaker technology has pretty much faded out of public view, there are still companies producing new designs to support the standard. Moshi today announced Spatia, a particularly attractive design combining respectable speakers, amplifiers, and fancy external materials including metallic and fabric accents. Standard AirPlay features such as lossless audio streaming and router-free Wi-Fi Direct are included, enabling Spatia to operate independently or on an existing Wi-Fi network.

The all-in-one system contains twin 1-inch tweeters, two 2.75-inch drivers, and a 4-inch downward-firing subwoofer, notably in a housing with a stand that keeps all of the speakers floating above the surface of a table. Moshi hasn’t compromised on the audio processing hardware, either, as it includes two DSP chips and two Class-D amplifiers to separately drive the high/mid and low frequencies. Audio can be adjusted by a Spatia speaker app, downloaded for free from the App Store. Moshi has not yet announced pricing or an availability date for the speaker.

9to5Mac’s CES 2015 coverage brought to you by:

Insteon unveils its HomeKit-enabled Hub and automation app

Zac Hall Jan 6 2015 - 7:14 am PT

1 Comment

HomeKit, Apple’s framework for connecting automation accessories and Siri together, is already proving to be a big hit at CES 2015. Today home automation company Insteon unveiled its own HomeKit plans as part of the Consumer Electronics Show. Specifically, Insteon announced its new app that will support the automation framework allowing you to control any HomeKit-enabled device. Additionally, the company announced its new HomeKit-enabled Insteon Hub.
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iPad-controlled wireless power system charges devices via WiFi up to 20 feet away

Ben Lovejoy Jan 6 2015 - 5:33 am PT

11 Comments

While some have been disappointed that Apple hasn’t yet incorporated wireless charging technology into its devices, charging pads are really almost as clunky as wires: you still have wires going to the pads, and you have to put your device in a specific place to charge them. What we really want is true wireless charging, where power is beamed directly to the device through the air.

Which is exactly what Energous has been demonstrating at CES with a system it calls WattUp, reports Engadget.

WattUp […] works using a mix of RF, Bluetooth and a lot of patent-pending technology. The transmitter is where most of the magic happens. It communicates with and locates compatible devices using low-energy Bluetooth. Once they’ve established contact with a device, they send out focused RF signals on the same bands as WiFi that are then absorbed and converted into DC power by a tiny chip embedded in the device. These transmitters can be built into household appliances, TVs, speakers and standalone “energy routers.”

What looks like an oversized Internet router beams power up to 20 feet, so have enough of these – or transmitters embedded into other devices around the home – and your portable devices are powered wherever they are. All that’s needed is for the receiving devices to have the necessary chip.

Energous used an iPad app to demonstrate switching power between devices, but the plan is to build intelligence into the system so that it beams power to devices automatically depending on how much charge they have left. Once your phone has enough power, it switches instead to powering your iPad. As you move around the home, power transmission is handed off to the next source in much the same way as your phone switches between different WiFi networks.

Energous wants to license the technology to manufacturers, and Apple would clearly make a very attractive target.

The clunkiness of charging pads is, I think, why Apple hasn’t yet adopted wireless charging. This, not pads, is the way charging should work, and sooner or later this – or some equivalent tech – is how our iDevices will be charged. I’m very much hoping for ‘sooner.’

9to5Mac’s CES 2015 coverage brought to you by:

Google Hangouts iOS app updated with intelligent location sharing, status messages and more

Ben Lovejoy Jan 6 2015 - 3:54 am PT

8 Comments

Google has updated its text, video and voice messaging app Hangouts, adding all the new features added to the Android version last month – including intelligent, one-tap location sharing.

Google promised that it would be building more intelligence into the app, and the new location-sharing feature is the first step along that path. The app automatically detects when a contact in a text chat asks where you are, and allows you to share your location with a single tap …
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Apple now selling SIM-free unlocked iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in the US, from $649

Benjamin Mayo Jan 6 2015 - 2:36 am PT

10 Comments

As we reported yesterday, Apple is now selling contract-free iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in retail stores and online. Following historic pattern, the 16 GB base model iPhone 6 costs $649 with higher tiers costing $100 extra. The iPhone 6 Plus starts at $749.

Unlocked iPhones can be activated for use any carrier, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon or T-Mobile. Apple usually launches unlocked models of their phones a couple of months after normal debut, but this year it seems slightly delayed. This may reflect continued strong demand (and hence, low supply) of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus generation. Unlocked iPhone 6 and 6 Plus ship in 3 – 5 business days. For comparison, most subsidised options ship in 1 business day.

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CES 2015: iHome debuts HomeKit SmartPlugs, SoundFlask speakers, wearables, Kineta pop-out battery speakers, more

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 5 2015 - 4:10 pm PT

2 Comments

Every year, top-ranked Apple speaker maker iHome comes to CES with an impressive array of new products — including something to show off Apple’s latest technology — and it isn’t disappointing at the 2015 CES. In an advance briefing before the show officially opened, iHome revealed its first Apple HomeKit product, SmartPlug ($40), as well as some daring new speaker and headphone designs…

…like the first speaker we’ve seen hidden inside a beautiful drinking flask. It’s called SoundFlask, and comes in coat pocket- ($50) and home bar-sized ($100) versions. Even the smaller version sounds really good given its size, and the flask cap twists to adjust the volume. All that’s missing is the ability to actually hold fluids. Read on for more.

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Volkswagen confirms plans to launch CarPlay support later this year

Chance Miller Jan 5 2015 - 3:51 pm PT

4 Comments

Volkswagen, at CES 2015, has finally announced what it plans to do with both CarPlay and Android Auto. The German auto manufacturer has confirmed that it will begin shipping cars with CarPlay capabilities later this year in its 2016 models. We reported back July of last year that Volkswagen and Apple were in talks to bring CarPlay to VW’s 2016 models.

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Apple to start selling SIM-free iPhone 6 & 6 Plus in the U.S. tomorrow

Mark Gurman Jan 5 2015 - 2:17 pm PT

39 Comments

Apple will start selling fully unlocked, SIM-free iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models in the United States beginning tomorrow, January 6th, according to several sources. The unlocked iPhones will be available both via Apple’s physical retail stores and online store…

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iDevices unveils first HomeKit-enabled plug dubbed ‘Switch’, iHome announces ‘SmartPlug’

Zac Hall Jan 5 2015 - 12:36 pm PT

0 Comments

iPhone and iPad users have eagerly awaited news in the HomeKit-connected product space since Apple announced the feature at WWDC 2014, and CES 2015 means we’re seeing a flood of new consumer electronics coming to market including the very first devices compatible with Apple’s smart home feature. The new iDevices Switch is described as “the world’s first HomeKit-enabled plug,” which allows you to control connected appliances using Siri.
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9to5Mac’s CES 2015 sponsor Qardio offers first look at its new iPhone-connected health sensors

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 5 2015 - 10:11 am PT

1 Comment

It’s that time of year again: CES, the mega-event in Las Vegas where every company except Apple releases its upcoming product roadmap. 9to5 has six people on the ground this year, and we’re covering big ticket items, as well as searching for the sort of hidden gold nuggets only the massive CES can deliver.

Qardio, maker of award-winning, smartphone-connected healthcare accessories including the already-available QardioArm wireless blood pressure monitor, was nice enough to sponsor us this year. And we’ve just had a chance to see two seriously smart new products it’s releasing in the spring, as well as its software platform for delivering health data to doctors.

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Google Cast for audio is an AirPlay competitor for music streaming from Android, iOS & web

Jordan Kahn Jan 5 2015 - 8:19 am PT

5 Comments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q0yZomXuSw

Google today announced Google Cast for audio, which the company says takes advantage of Chromecast tech to send audio to third-party hardware like speakers, A/V receivers, and sound bars. The feature will allow users to tap a “cast” button from within music and radio apps on Android, iOS and the web to stream audio to Google Cast enabled speakers.
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