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iOS

4,854 'iOS' stories August 2010 - July 2017
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The world’s most advanced mobile operating system

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)

Removal of 3D Touch app switching gesture in iOS 11 confirmed as intentional change

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Jun 30 2017 - 11:51 am PT
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Whilst iOS 11 includes a lot of new stuff to enjoy, there are also a few features that have been left behind. One such example is a lesser-known 3D Touch gesture that enabled faster access to the iPhone app switcher and a quick shortcut to move back to the previous app. Both of these elements are no longer present in iOS 11 and a bug report confirms that this was an intentional removal …


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Apple’s Single Sign-on feature for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV gains another TV provider

Avatar for Zac Hall Jun 27 2017 - 8:08 am PT
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Apple has recently gained a new TV provider for its Single Sign-on feature on iOS 10 and up as well as tvOS 10 and up.

WOW!, or Wide Open West, joins 13 other providers that let customers authenticate once through the Settings app to access content in paid video apps in the United States.

Wide Open West, which is the ninth largest cable provider in the country, hasn’t yet been added to Apple’s list of TV provider partners since it was updated earlier this month, but WOW! is live as an option on both iOS 10 and iOS 11 beta through the TV Provider section of the Settings app.


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Comment: Scott Forstall is right not to apologize for skeuomorphism, and has a point even today

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jun 22 2017 - 7:34 am PT
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In a Computer History Museum interview this week, Scott Forstall was unapologetic about the skeuomorphic designs used in early iOS versions – the famous leather, paper and metal textures used to make on-screen elements look like real-world objects.

Disagreements between Forstall and design head Jony Ive on the look of iOS were believed to have been one of the reasons for him leaving the company back in 2012 …


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When does Apple release new iOS betas?

Avatar for Zac Hall Jun 20 2017 - 11:53 am PT
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If you’re running the first iOS 11 developer beta like me, you’re probably eagerly awaiting whatever changes and improvements come with iOS 11 beta 2. While Apple doesn’t broadcast when it will release new versions of developer software betas, the company does tend to follow a pattern for its release schedule which we’ll look at below. Apple has also shared when to expect the first iOS 11 public beta version which may be a clue.


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Nest is considering Apple HomeKit as iOS 11 makes supporting existing products easier

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 15 2017 - 11:49 am PT
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Nest has long been a holdout on Apple’s Siri-controlled HomeKit platform, and many have speculated it will never add support due to its ties with Google and its competing offerings. But this week the company told us it’s at least considering adopting HomeKit following some big changes for hardware authentication requirements announced this month.

When we asked the company if it would look into newly announced iOS 11 features that allow old products to easily add support, a Nest spokesperson officially told us its “open to supporting” the platform and that it will indeed “consider HomeKit.”


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IBM opening ‘Garages’ dedicated to Apple partnership for developing iOS enterprise apps

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 15 2017 - 10:00 am PT
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After announcing a partnership with Apple back in 2014 to help bring enterprise apps and more to iOS, IBM today announced plans to accelerate the initiative with new ‘Garages’ that will serve as dedicated physical spaces to aid its corporate customers with the development of the MobileFirst iPhone and iPad apps:
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Angry Birds Evolution turn-based RPG combat game for adults now available [Video]

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 14 2017 - 3:10 pm PT
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After a soft launch previously, Angry Birds Evolution, a new turn-based RPG combat game from Rovio, is officially launching in the U.S. and globally today.

The game is the latest in the popular Angry Birds franchise and, in addition to introducing a new type of gameplay for the birds, is the first title for the game made specifically for adults. As Rovio notes, that means “naughty humor, pop culture references galore and classic turn-based RPG combat.”


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