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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)

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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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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There’s another malicious link floating around that will cause any iOS device to freeze & require a hard reset

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Every so often, a weird bug related to iOS will emerge that causes some sort of temporary misbehaving for users affected by it. For instance, nearly two years ago the infamous “effective power” bug took the internet by storm, and we’ve seen various other similar issues since then.

Now, it has been discovered that playing a certain .mp4 video in Safari on any iOS device will cause the device to slow to a crawl and eventually freeze altogether…


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Nest update brings support for Apple TV, ability to save and share video clips

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Nest has introduced a pretty substantial update to its iOS and Android apps, bringing Nest Aware customers the ability to easily create, save, and share video clips straight from the Nest app. The iOS app also adds support for Apple TV, so you can quickly check out your Nest Cam feeds straight from your couch…


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Apple releases iOS 10.2 beta 3: New ‘Love’ Messages screen effect, SOS India-only, Videos hidden by default

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Update: Apple has released iOS 10.2 beta 3 for public beta testers today, as well.

Apple has released the third developer beta version of iOS 10.2 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. 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, and more.


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Teenager plays havoc with multiple 911 call centers trying to collect Apple bug bounty

An Arizona teenager caused havoc in multiple 911 cell centers last week after creating a proof of concept of an iOS exploit that caused iPhones to dial 911. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said that one police department was ‘in immediate danger of losing service’ to its 911 center, and two other call centers were also at risk …


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