iOS

4,904 'iOS' stories August 2010 - January 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
iPad

iOS 10.3 code includes hidden support for a floating one-handed keyboard for iPad users

Chance Miller Jan 24 2017 - 3:02 pm PT

As is usually the case with iOS updates, there are a few new features that Apple doesn’t activate in the user-facing version, but developers still uncover their existence. This time, developer Steven Troughton-Smith has uncovered a new one-handed floating keyboard for iPad inside iOS 10.3…

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iOS
iOS 10

Apple releases first iOS 10.3 beta with Find My AirPods support, more

Zac Hall Jan 24 2017 - 10:01 am PT

Apple has released the first iOS 10.3 beta for developer testing on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. We’ll update to the newly released iOS 10.3 beta and detail changes below:

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Apple working on enhanced Siri for iPhone 8 launch in the face of competition from Google Assistant and Alexa

Ben Lovejoy Jan 24 2017 - 6:27 am PT

Apple is working on an enhanced version of Siri in time for the launch of the iPhone 8, indicate supply-chain sources cited by Digitimes. The sources suggest that Apple will respond to increased competition in the field of intelligent assistants – in particular, Google Assistant and the expansion of Amazon’s Alexa to smartphones.

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Google Voice updated w/ redesigned web & iOS apps, promise of ‘regular’ updates

Abner Li Jan 23 2017 - 10:57 am PT

Update: The redesigned Google Voice app is now available on the App Store.

Back in 2009, Google launched an ambitious voice-forwarding service that allowed users to maintain one number across multiple devices. Today, Google Voice received its first major update in years that sees a redesigned web interface, iOS app, and the promise of continued updates.

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iOS
iOS 10

Apple releases iOS 10.2.1 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Zac Hall Jan 23 2017 - 10:00 am PT

Apple has officially released iOS 10.2.1 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. iOS 10.2.1 is likely a bug fix and performance improvement release. The initial beta was released on December 14 with a second beta issued before the holiday break. We’ll test the official version and highlight any changes discovered below.

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What’s next for iOS? We break down rumored Siri updates, Dark/Theatre Modes, AR features & much more

Chance Miller Jan 20 2017 - 9:19 am PT

With every year comes a new version of iOS and this year will likely be no different. In 2017, we should expect iOS 11 to be previewed over the summer with subsequent developer and public betas and a release to the public in the fall. It’s also likely that we’ll see a less significant iOS release during the spring with iOS 10.3.

Keep reading for some ideas as to what Apple might have up its sleeve for iOS 10.3 and iOS 11…

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Apple shares new iOS 10 Design Resources available in Sketch and Photoshop templates

Greg Barbosa Jan 19 2017 - 12:10 pm PT

Following the update to their Apple News Format Design Tutorial, Apple has just published an update to their iOS Human Interface Guidelines with new iOS 10 design resources. The resources include templates and UI materials to help designers quickly design iOS applications.

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iOS

Sending this text will crash almost any iPhone, but don’t expect it to become a major problem

Chance Miller Jan 17 2017 - 5:01 pm PT

Lately more than ever we’ve been seeing weird bugs pop up that can cause iOS devices to crash. These oddities include things such as text strings, date changes, and bizarre links. The latest one, shown by YouTuber EverythingApplePro, is a three character strand of text and emoji, but the process is somewhat convoluted…

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iOS
iOS 10

Apple releases iOS 10.2.1 beta 4 for developers

Zac Hall Jan 12 2017 - 1:11 pm PT

Apple has released the fourth iOS 10.2.1 beta for developer testing on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. iOS 10.2.1 is likely a bug fix and performance improvement release. The initial beta was released on December 14 with a second beta issued before the holiday break. A third beta version was released at the start of this week. We’ll update to the latest version and highlight any changes discovered below.

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Apple’s Single Sign-on feature for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV adds new TV provider

Zac Hall Jan 12 2017 - 7:31 am PT

Apple has added an additional TV provider to its list of partners supporting its Single Sign-on feature for iOS 10 and tvOS 10. Cable ONE joins ten other providers that let customers authenticate once through the Settings app to access content in paid video apps.

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iOS

Apple on track to hit $1 trillion in total revenue from iOS by the middle of this year

Chance Miller Jan 11 2017 - 5:16 pm PT

Last year, some analysts made the unlikely claim that Alphabet or Amazon might beat Apple to be the first trillion-dollar company. Asymco’s Horace Dediu, however, is out today with a new report predicting that Apple will cross the $1 trillion mark this year in terms of revenue generated by iOS, pushing it closer to a $1 trillion market cap.

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iOS
iOS 10

Apple releases iOS 10.2.1 beta 3, watchOS 3.1.3 beta 2, and tvOS 10.1.1 beta 2 for developers

Zac Hall Jan 9 2017 - 9:56 am PT

Apple has released the third iOS 10.2.1 beta for developer testing on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. iOS 10.2.1 is likely a bug fix and performance improvement release. The initial beta was released on December 14 with a second beta issued before the holiday break.

watchOS 3.1.3 beta 2 and tvOS 10.1.1 are also out for testing. We’ll update to the latest version and highlight any changes discovered below.

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How to screen share with iOS and macOS to help friends and family with new devices

Michael Potuck Dec 26 2016 - 10:54 am PT

Over that last month your friends and family have probably purchased or been gifted a range of new devices, and odds may be good that you’re the go-to for tech support. Sometimes it works to problem solve by voice or text message when you aren’t with the user in need, but it’s often better to see what they’re seeing and also have some remote control access. Keep reading after the break for three ways to remotely help others more efficiently.

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iOS
Games

PSA: The original RollerCoaster Tycoon is now available for iOS

Stephen Hall Dec 22 2016 - 10:54 am PT

If you have nostalgia for RollerCoaster Tycoon, today might just be your day. Atari, the publisher of RollerCoaster Tycoon games since the release of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 for PC, has today released the original RollerCoaster Tycoon for both iOS and Android…

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iOS

Apple stops signing iOS 10.1 and 10.1.1 following release of iOS 10.2

Chance Miller Dec 20 2016 - 2:30 pm PT

Following the release of iOS 10.2 last week, Apple this evening has stopped signing iOS 10.1 and iOS 10.1.1 for all devices. This means that users are now longer able to downgrade to the operating system if they are having some sort of issue with the latest iOS 10.2 release.

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iOS

Apple releases iOS 10.2.1 beta 2 for developers

Zac Hall Dec 20 2016 - 10:05 am PT

Apple has released iOS 10.2.1 beta 2 for developers. The update follows the public release of iOS 10.2 last week and the first iOS 10.2.1 beta as well. iOS 10.2 included new redesigned emojis, the TV app for US users, a couple of new screen effects in Messages, amongst other enhancements.

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Deliveries package tracking app gains iOS 10 rich notifications & sticker pack, watchOS 3 and macOS Sierra support

Greg Barbosa Dec 15 2016 - 8:39 am PT

Just in time for holiday package tracking, Junecloud has released version the 8.0 of their packaging delivery tracking app Deliveries for iOS, alongside version 3.0 for macOS. Today’s update brings more support for iOS 10 and watchOS 3, with detailed notifications thanks to iOS 10’s 3D Touch features, and much more. On the Mac we gain Sierra support, and some new Touch Bar functionality.

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Enterprise software firm Jamf notes that iOS MDM can allevate security concerns in ‘mobility in healthcare’ report

Michael Potuck Dec 14 2016 - 11:47 am PT

A new independent report titled ‘A Pulse on Mobility in Healthcare’ has been published by Apple device management software firm Jamf, who also commissioned the survey. Not surprisingly, the global tally of 550 IT decision makers found that security is the number one concern for healthcare systems who manage mobile devices among other details.

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1Password 6.5 for iOS introduces native Apple Watch app, and a better onboarding experience

Greg Barbosa Dec 14 2016 - 10:23 am PT

1Password, a longtime favorite password manager of the 9to5Mac team, has just released the latest update to their iOS apps. The usual bug fixes are included, but most importantly is the inclusion of the newly updated and native Apple Watch app, and an overall better first time experience. Previously 1Password’s watchOS app required the Watch and iPhone to be paired in the moment to view your stored passwords, but today’s update allows it to work separately.

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Instagram’s live video begins rolling out to everyone in the US today

Greg Barbosa Dec 12 2016 - 10:10 am PT

Following their original announcement, Instagram has begun rolling out live video to all their US users. To commemorate the occasion Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram’s CEO and CTO respectively are live streaming the event over at the official Instagram account. Instagram’s live video feature is another way the company is hoping to promote sharing freely and in the moment.

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Apple releases iOS 10.2 w/ new emoji, Messages effects, US-only TV app, wallpapers, more

Zac Hall Dec 12 2016 - 9:58 am PT

Apple has released iOS 10.2 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. iOS 10.2 includes several new features like Unicode 9.0 emoji, three new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus wallpapers, a new TV app, additional camera features, new Messages screen effects, and more.

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Hulu introduces profiles to create personalized experiences for multiple users on a single account

Greg Barbosa Dec 8 2016 - 10:53 am PT

Hulu has announced today the official roll out of profiles to their 12 million subscribers. Profiles will allow multiple viewers to share a single Hulu account, while creating personalized experiences for each. The move to personalized profiles comes after their decision to move away from free TV episode offerings and focus on a subscription centric model.

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Review: QardioArm & QardioBase bring modern, attractive, and portable health tracking home

Greg Barbosa Dec 7 2016 - 12:50 pm PT

I’ve been a major fan of Apple’s Health app since its original launch and have continuously looked for reasons to use it. I believe that the first step to a healthy life is being proactive versus reactive, which is why my interest was piqued when Qardio reached out asking if I wanted to review their QardioArm and QardioBase products. A smart portable blood pressure monitor, and a smart scale was something that definitely fit into my “DIY preventative care” ideology. Qardio’s products are designed to fit into a modern health focused lifestyle, but let’s see what that means for the product’s themselves.

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Apple releases iOS 10.2 beta 7 for developer + public beta iPhones and iPads

Zac Hall Dec 7 2016 - 9:53 am PT

Apple has released the seventh developer and public beta version of iOS 10.2 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch — the second developer and public beta this week. iOS 10.2 includes several upcoming features like new Unicode 9.0 emoji, three new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus wallpapers, a new TV app, additional camera features, new Messages screen effects, and more.

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