iOS

4,872 'iOS' stories August 2010 - June 2016

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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)

How Siri works in iOS 10 for third-party apps: Rich integration with six kinds of application

Benjamin Mayo Jun 14 2016 - 4:23 am PT

Siri unlocks a new dimension of functionality in iOS 10, allowing third-party apps to integrate inline into the Siri voice assistant experience. Any developer integration expands utility of Siri dramatically but it’s important to note the limitations of the system Apple announced.

For iOS 10.0, the Siri API will only work with six kinds of application: ride booking (think Uber), messaging, Photo Search (find photos and videos in a particular app), payments (‘Send $100 to John with SquareCash’), VoIP Calling (e.g: Skype) and Workouts (for starting health and fitness activities) …

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Here are the iOS & Mac apps that won this year’s Apple Design Awards

Greg Barbosa Jun 13 2016 - 5:19 pm PT

Apple has just wrapped up its exciting WWDC 2016 keynote announcing macOS Sierra, iOS 10, watchOS 3, and the latest installment of tvOS. The event was mostly focused on what Apple would be releasing at the end of this year, but Apple also likes to put the attention back on the amazing developers in the community. Every year Apple celebrates developers and the work they’ve accomplished across the various software platforms at its Apple Design Awards. This year’s 2016 Apple Design Awards showcased apps for iOS, OS X, watchOS, and tvOS. The award ceremony made sure to highlight apps that were localized in multiple languages, and had been built with accessibility in mind.

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Apple releases full WWDC 2016 keynote video, preview pages for new software

Greg Barbosa Jun 13 2016 - 1:24 pm PT

After today’s jam-packed event, Apple has published the full keynote video from this year’s WWDC. Apple has also released the promo videos used during the keynote showing off iOS 10’s newest features and a video dedicated to developers. On the same page with the full keynote page, Apple lists the preview pages showcasing what we’ll be seeing in the official software releases later this fall.

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Hands-on: Apple’s new Remote app for Apple TV and iOS [Gallery]

Greg Barbosa Jun 13 2016 - 12:57 pm PT

Apple’s WWDC 2016 keynote has just wrapped up, and developer downloads are starting to hit Apple’s Developer site. One of those is the first beta of Apple’s new Remote app with built-in Siri. Apple has put a heavy focus on making sure the new Remote app can replicate and do everything the Siri Remote can, without having to switch away from your iOS device.

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Here are the iOS 10 features and developer tools Apple didn’t detail on stage

Zac Hall Jun 13 2016 - 12:32 pm PT

Every year Apple pulls out ten or so tent pole iOS features to demo on stage at WWDC, but major updates include way more features than we can see in one keynote. These apply to both customer features and developer tools. Below we’ve collected all of the iOS 10 features Apple didn’t have time to demo at WWDC 2016.

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Apple releases Xcode 8 for iOS 10, macOS Sierra and more

Benjamin Mayo Jun 13 2016 - 12:14 pm PT

Alongside OS betas, Apple is launching Xcode 8 today which is in all-in one development suite for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and TV. The new IDE features extensions to customize the coding experience as well as runtime alerts, new Memory Debugger and accelerated Interface Builder. Developers can download the new Xcode from Apple’s developer portal.

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iOS 10 coming this fall, developer beta today and public beta in July

Zac Hall Jun 13 2016 - 11:49 am PT

iOS 10 got its first public revealing today but it won’t be available to customers until later this year. Developer betas are coming today, and public betas for non-developers will follow in July.

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Apple unveils iOS 10 at WWDC 2016, new lock screen, Siri SDK, much more

Zac Hall Jun 13 2016 - 10:51 am PT

Apple has officially announced iOS 10 at WWDC 2016. Craig Federighi started the announcement by sharing that iOS 10 features ten new tent pole features.

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Apple Public Beta Program site goes down ahead of WWDC 2016 keynote

Benjamin Mayo Jun 13 2016 - 9:16 am PT

The website for the Apple Beta Program has gone down ahead of the WWDC 2016 keynote, due to start at 10 AM PT (in about 40 minutes). With Apple about to unveil iOS 10, macOS 10.12, watchOS 3 and new tvOS, the Beta Program site going down indicates that at least something new will be available for wider release today.

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WWDC News Hub/Live Blog: Watch Apple unveil iOS 10, macOS 10.12, watchOS 3 & more

Jordan Kahn Jun 13 2016 - 8:41 am PT

It’s Monday, June 13th and Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is about to kick off with the company’s opening keynote and press event at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET.

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Growing iOS 10 and macOS 10.12 traffic on 9to5Mac ahead of wider launch

Seth Weintraub Jun 13 2016 - 8:10 am PT

We’ve been getting hit by iOS 10 and macOS 10.12 since the middle of last year, mostly coming from Apple’s campus and the surrounding areas. Obviously, things have been ramping up lately and it’s interesting to see what the numbers are like a few hours ahead of when all developers get their hands on the new OSes and the data gets crazy…

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Poll Results Roundup: iOS 10 features, OS X naming, Kindle Scout lookalike

Ben Lovejoy Jun 13 2016 - 7:22 am PT

As we eagerly await the kick off of this year’s WWDC, you were kind enough to share your views in three separate polls on Friday, so here’s a quick roundup of the results.

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Ahead of WWDC, Siri spotted talking about the ‘Finder’ (Siri for Mac incoming?)

Benjamin Mayo Jun 11 2016 - 7:15 am PT

Siri is widely expected to make up a big part of Monday’s WWDC keynote (alongside iOS 10, macOS 10.12 and more) but it seems like it is already inadvertently tipping the hat on what is going to be announce. Brian Roemelle found that by asking the voice assistant about “windows” on his phone, Siri would start referencing the “Finder” app in its responses.

Obviously, iOS doesn’t have a Finder app but OS X does. It seems like Siri is unintentionally leaking the unveiling of Siri for Mac ahead of schedule, or perhaps even a brand new Finder app for iOS 10 …

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Apple starts decorating Moscone West with logos for WWDC 2016 [Update]

Benjamin Mayo Jun 10 2016 - 5:30 pm PT

Update: Apple has nearly finished the large outdoor white logo on Moscone West building and is also hanging ASCII-art theme banners on the opposite street at the Metreon. More photos below.

Apple has started decorating its venues for WWDC 2016, which kicks off on Monday, with workers starting to apply a massive Apple logo onto the side of Moscone West. Apple will use Moscone West for all of the week apart from Monday; the WWDC keynote will be held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.

Apple usually puts up banners teasing the announcements in the theme of the invites to build excitement for the show, often revealing tidbits about the new software OS’s. Apple has put a small logo up at Bill Graham but due to the split venue (and late scheduling), there’s a chance the banners tradition will not continue this year until after the Monday keynote at 10 AM …

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Report: Amazon planning standalone subscription music service to compete w/ Apple Music & others

Jordan Kahn Jun 10 2016 - 2:28 pm PT

Reuters reports that Amazon is preparing to take on Apple Music, Spotify and the other music streaming services with a similar, full-fledged competitive subscription music service. That would be a step up from the limited catalog of music it currently offers to subscribers of its Prime shipping service that bundles perks for various Amazon services for a monthly or yearly fee.

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Poll: What features and changes do you want to see in iOS 10 at WWDC?

Benjamin Mayo Jun 10 2016 - 11:47 am PT

At WWDC on Monday, Apple will unveil the latest version of its mobile operating system, iOS 10. With the conference being light on hardware, expectations are high for Apple to announce some major new features for iOS 10 on iPhone and iPad. The rumor mill is quieter than usual, so there’s definitely a bigger opportunity to be surprised with this year’s keynote.

We have some idea about what to expect but we want to hear what you want to see Apple announce next week. Join in the poll after the jump to have your say on what you want to see in iOS 10 …

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WWDC 2016 preview: How to watch & what to expect at Apple’s event on Monday

Jordan Kahn Jun 10 2016 - 11:18 am PT

What will Apple unveil at its event this Monday, June 13 to kick off WWDC 2016? Below we roundup the latest reports along with some of our own information on what Apple is currently planning for the keynote.

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Apple clarifies deal on subscription apps: no free functionality fine, but must ‘make sense’

Ben Lovejoy Jun 10 2016 - 4:23 am PT

Apple’s announcement that developers will be able to keep 85% of subscription revenue after the first year seemed to leave some questions unanswered. In particular, Phil Schiller’s examples appeared to contradict descriptions on Apple’s own website.

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Apple releases special ‘Shot on iPhone’ commercial for European Football Championship

Benjamin Mayo Jun 9 2016 - 9:45 am PT

Apple has released a special ‘Shot on iPhone’ TV commercial for European markets called ‘The beautiful game’. It features iPhone photography of football stadiums, goalposts and players. The ad will likely air during the UEFA European Football Championship games, which kicks off tomorrow …
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This Apple patent almost certainly isn’t about iOS running on a Mac [Poll]

Ben Lovejoy Jun 9 2016 - 6:36 am PT

Patently Apple has a piece entitled Apple Invents a User Interface for Combinable Virtual iOS Desktops on a Mac. It references a patent which PA suggests is for a Mac that could be used to run (or at least display) iOS apps.

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Google to mirror Apple’s App Store revenue split – a year earlier – as questions remain

Ben Lovejoy Jun 9 2016 - 4:06 am PT

It seems Apple isn’t going to be alone in offering a better deal to developers of subscription-based apps. The same day Phil Schiller revealed that developers will receive 85% of subscription revenue from year two, Re/code reports (and TNW confirms) that Google will be offering the same deal to Android developers – but with one big difference …

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How to watch Apple’s WWDC 2016 keynote live stream on Windows or Android

Jordan Kahn Jun 8 2016 - 9:34 am PT

Apple last night confirmed it will live stream the opening press event for its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, but the stream is limited to certain devices. The company will stream the event to iPhone, iPad, and Mac users via its Safari browser, and to Apple TV users, and it’s also recently added support for Windows 10 via Microsoft Edge.

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Report: ‘Major iTunes overhaul’ to be announced at WWDC alongside iOS 10 Apple Music revamp

Benjamin Mayo Jun 8 2016 - 8:24 am PT

Digital Music News is once again reporting that Apple is contemplating removing iTunes downloads for good, focusing solely on its Apple Music streaming service for distribution. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Apple is open to multiple scenarios depending on future market conditions, which could include ditching traditional music download model. However, it doesn’t sound like there are firm plans to do that anytime soon; Apple has already denied similar reports saying ‘It’s not true’.

More interestingly is the report’s take on Apple’s WWDC plans for iTunes. It claims that Apple will unveil a major overhaul of the iTunes app to simplify the core functions of the app (music) and better present the different music offerings Apple has, removing points of confusion about how Apple Music works alongside the iTunes Store.

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This 3D printed case allows Android to run on the iPhone

Chance Miller Jun 7 2016 - 5:05 pm PT

Nick Lee, CTO of development studio Tendigi, previously was able to get Windows 95 running on an Apple Watch and now he’s back at it again with a new project. As he details in this blog post, Lee was able to get Android running on an iPhone thanks to a custom-built case.

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