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iOS

4,985 'iOS' stories August 2010 - December 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)

iOS 11.2.1 and tvOS 11.2.1 are now available, update restores HomeKit sharing following vulnerability fix

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 13 2017 - 10:04 am PT
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Apple has released iOS 11.2.1 for iPhone and iPad. The software update restores remote access in HomeKit for shared users which was temporarily disabled last week to address a vulnerability in Apple’s smart home framework that allowed unauthorized access in certain circumstances. Apple has also released tvOS 11.2.1 which is likely related to the fix.


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Yik Yak developer returns with The Q Trivia live game show app, leaving public beta tomorrow

Avatar for Michael Steeber Dec 11 2017 - 9:17 am PT
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Live game show app HQ Trivia has taken the world by storm in recent weeks, climbing App Store charts and attracting over 400,000 viewers during peak streams. Not wanting to miss out on the trend, competing apps are beginning to spring up. One of the more notable offerings comes from an early developer of the former viral app Yik Yak, and is about to leave beta on the App Store.


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Gift Guide: Family fun games and accessories for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Dec 9 2017 - 5:22 am PT
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The Apple device ecosystem has heralded new ways for creative game makers to realise their vision, often by combining physical elements with apps, to form engaging and addictive experiences. Most of this guide leans on casual gaming where a whole family can join in together, but there’s also a consideration for the serious side of games too.

We feature the endearing Beasts of Balance, the Osmo game system, MFI game controllers and more. Read on after the jump for the full list.


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Zero-day iOS HomeKit vulnerability allowed remote access to smart accessories including locks, fix rolling out

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 7 2017 - 1:03 pm PT
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A HomeKit vulnerability in the current version of iOS 11.2 has been demonstrated to 9to5Mac that allows unauthorized control of accessories including smart locks and garage door openers. Our understanding is Apple has rolled out a server-side fix that now prevent unauthorized access from occurring while limiting some functionality, and an update to iOS 11.2 coming next week will restore that full functionality.


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Apple’s US smartphone market share dropped 8 points in run-up to iPhone X launch – Kantar

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 5 2017 - 5:33 am PT
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Market intelligence company Kantar said that iOS market share in the U.S. fell from 40.6% in the three months ending in October 2016 to 32.9% in the same quarter this year. Apple saw similar significant drops in other key markets, says the firm, as customers waited for the iPhone X to go on sale.

Kantar says that the drop was inevitable, but still puts pressure on Apple …


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iOS 12 wishlist imagines what top requested features might look like [Gallery]

Avatar for Michael Potuck Dec 4 2017 - 12:30 pm PT
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While features that were announced for iOS 11 back at WWDC this past June are still rolling out to users, the latest iOS version has been out long enough for users, developers, and designers to put thought into what iOS 12 should bring to the table. Now, an iOS 12 wishlist based on highly requested features shows us what Apple could have in store for the next major iOS update.


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Apple releases iOS 11.2 with date crashing fix, Apple Pay Cash included, other changes

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Dec 2 2017 - 1:10 am PT
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Apple has now released iOS 11.2, bringing the fix for the repeated crashes users experienced since the date rolled over to December 2, as we reported on earlier today. iOS 11.2 also includes Apple Pay Cash, for peer-to-peer payments between friends in the US, but it is not yet available to use (it will be activated OTA in a few days).

Download iOS 11.2 now for your iPad, iPhone and iPad touch. Go to Settings -> Software Update to install it. See a list of all the changes in iOS 11.2 after the jump …


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Many iPhone users suffering from random reboots & crashes due to date/time bug affecting notifications

Avatar for Chance Miller Dec 1 2017 - 10:09 pm PT
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Just days after the huge root security flaw on macOS earlier this week, a growing number of iPhone and iPad users are reporting serious reboot and respring issues. The problem, detailed in a growing Reddit thread and on Twitter, seems to stem from apps that use local notifications, such as reminder applications like Headspace and Calm…


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Apple releases sixth iOS 11.2 and macOS 10.13.2 betas

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 1 2017 - 10:08 am PT
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Apple has released the sixth beta version of iOS 11.2 beta for developers. macOS 10.13.2 beta 6 is also available for testing.

iOS 11.2 will include Apple Pay Cash support in addition to SiriKit for HomePod which was detailed at the end of October. AirPlay 2 was also previously available in beta versions but disappeared in the previous beta when the HomePod delay was announced.


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HQ Trivia creator says lessons learned from Vine, creative constraints inspired the popular new game show app

Avatar for Michael Steeber Dec 1 2017 - 7:32 am PT
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Twice a day, my afternoon and evening are punctuated by an eagerly awaited push notification inviting me to join a growing crowd of fans all over the world playing HQ Trivia, a modern take on the classic TV game show. The brief, fifteen minute games usually end for me with a “savage question” that eliminates my chance of winning a growing cash prize, but leaves me excited to try again tomorrow. The thrill of the game is no accident; it’s all part of the app’s clever design.

9to5Mac asked Rus Yusupov, co-founder of HQ Trivia and the former social network Vine, just what makes the new game so captivating.


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Apple releases fifth iOS 11.2, macOS 10.13.2, and tvOS 11.2 betas

Avatar for Zac Hall Nov 28 2017 - 10:06 am PT
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Apple has released the fifth beta version of iOS 11.2 beta for developers. tvOS 11.2 beta and macOS 10.13.2 beta 5 are also available for testing. There doesn’t appear to be a new watchOS 4.2 beta today.

iOS 11.2 will include Apple Pay Cash support in addition to SiriKit for HomePod which was detailed at the end of October. AirPlay 2 was also previously available in beta versions but disappeared in the previous beta when the HomePod delay was announced.


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