A Brief history of iOS

A Brief History Of iOS :

Among the technological tribe, the most popular terms associated with mobile phones are Android and iOS. While the former allows transparency and easy accessibility, the latter has carved a mass for itself, even though it allows strict connectivity. But when it comes to Apple, the loyal customers forget all of its cones and just stick on to the beauty, elegance and the magical iOS that runs like a pure charm.

It was on June 29, 2007, Steve Jobs, the then chairman and co-founder of Apple.Inc launched iPhone with iOS 1. Since then, the operating system has undergone some major upgrades, which was a result of continuous hard work and passion towards achieving beyond the expectations of the consumer. Here, we are glad to give you a brief sneak peek into the history of world’s favourite operating system.

iOS 1 (iPhone OS 1)

The brainchild of Steve Jobs introduced the idea that an iPod, camera, phone and internet device could be compacted inside a device that fits in your pocket. At that time, iPhone was the actual star and other than the technological geeks, no one was really interested in any information about the operating system which made those phones work flawlessly.

iPhone OS 1, as it was named, was so special among the customers as it was designed for multi-touch operation and a 3.5” capacitive touchscreen, which made it quick and responsive than any other present in the market then. While comparing it with the consecutive versions of iOS, this version lacked huge including support for native, third-party apps. But at the time of its launch, the phone and iOS 1 created a massive buzz among the elites and technologically inclined lot.

iOS 2 (iPhone OS 2)

iPhone OS 2 released a year after, on July 2008 created a major breakthrough by adding App store, which allowed the support of native, third-party apps. More than 500 third-party apps were added on App store during its launch, along with built-in 3G and GPS technology. This gave smartphone market the capacity to think limitless, which was visible from Google’s move just after a month of iOS 2 launch- android released Android Market, an older version of Play Store.

iOS 3 (iPhone OS 3)

On June 2009, the next upgrade - iPhone OS 3- was not about any dramatic inventions or transformations, but they focused on fine-tuning the already developed programs. Jobs elevated the whole iPhone using to the next level by adding push notifications for third-party apps, parental controls, tap to focus in the camera, in-app purchases and subscription models, universal search with spotlight, and cut, copy, paste for the touchscreen age.

Next January, iPad was launched with an updated version of iOS 3 tailor-made just for the new model. iTunes was also upgraded by adding options to buy movies, TV shows and books from iPhone or iPod touch.

iOS 4

Multitasking was the word of Apple in June 2010, when they introduced iOS 4 enabling the user to switch between the apps in a flash with a double press on the home button. The feature loaded update had the name iOS given to it, leaving behind the word “phone” from the name of the operating system indicating its compatibility with iPhones, iPods and iPads. FaceTime, multitasking, iBooks, organizing apps into folders, Personal Hotspot, AirPlay and AirPrint, some of the current popular OS apps were introduced then.

iOS 5

With the launch of iOS 5 in 2011, Apple was beginning an era of virtual assistants. Yes, Siri was added to iPhone in this version and the whole world went crazy behind this possibility of having a virtual assistant inside your phone, that will actually obey your tasks and even tell you jokes. Apple was also getting ready to create new wave enemies in future like Whatsapp, by introducing iMessage and iCloud.

iOS 6

iOS 6, launched in 2012 witnessed a major fail- the introduction of Apple maps as a counter-attack on popular google maps.It is marked as a mediocre step from the stellar Apple.Inc, as it didn’t make any noise even among Apple’s most loyal customers or even inside Apple family. They also removed Youtube from the pre-installed set of apps. Some other added features include a tighter integration with Facebook, a new Passbook app and the iCloud allowing shared photo streams.

iOS 7

As Tim Cook rightly described, the launch of iOS 7 on 2013 was “the biggest change to iOS since the introduction of the iPhone”. The world shouted “flat is beautiful” as the new iPhone was released with an updated iOS 7 with newly designed icons, a simplified flat design, new colour palettes, layers of stacked menu, animated backgrounds and a depth effect on the wallpaper as the device is tilted. The features included Contol Centre which meant quick settings, iTunes radio service, multitasking for all the apps, updated versions of Safari and Siri, and finally Airdrop was introduced which enabled easy connectivity and file transfer to other iPhones.

iOS 8

Again, in September 2014 Apple was in the mode of fine-tuning the existing features. Firstly, they brought together their desktops and mobile phones closer by providing a continuity concept enabling the user to send, edit and receive messages or answer phone calls on both phones and Mac. They opened up the platform wider by allowing third-party widgets and keyboards for users to customize their iPhone and introducing a successful and secured payment option- Apple pay. Also, iOS 8 engraved a new concept of addiction- a health tracking app named health kit.

iOS 9

In September 2015, iOS 9 was unveiled. Major transformation was that Siri got way smarter- Apple named it Proactive that is it brought back full panel spotlight feature with intelligence. This version of iOS felt like polishing every minute detail to catch up with its equivalents. Apps like notes, transit, Apple music and news got a major fix, and 3D touch was introduced.

    

iOS 10

This time, the world witnessed a wide opening up of Apple products to third-party apps. Siri and iMessage were redesigned to allow strong third-party integration thus connecting with Uber, Pinterest and other popular names. Apple also shared some love to their users by filtering the photographs by location, facial recognition and other details, also automatically treasured their precious moments together into albums and video highlights. 

iOS 11

September 11, 2017, showed the world what is going to be the future of smartphones. Apple once again swept the hearts of its users by changing the look and feel of App store- a new design and regular editorial content helped users find apps more easily. All the other major improvements were targetted on iPad, the most important ones being new files app and dock, a novel concept for drag and drop interactions and simpler multitasking.