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iOS

4,852 'iOS' stories August 2010 - June 2020
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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 releases iOS 13.5.1 and watchOS 6.2.6 with ‘important security updates’

Avatar for Chance Miller Jun 1 2020 - 9:59 am PT
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Apple is releasing iOS 13.5.1 to the public today following last month’s release of iOS 13.5. Apple says that today’s update to iOS 13.5.1 provides important security updates.

Update: Apple has added new details about iOS 13.5.1 to its security webpage, confirming that the update patches the vulnerability used by the Unc0ver jailbreak:

Kernel

Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch 7th generation

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

Description: A memory consumption issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2020-9859: unc0ver


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[Update: Now available] Jailbreak for all iOS 13.5 devices expected soon due to new kernel exploit

Avatar for Filipe Espósito May 20 2020 - 6:18 pm PT
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Update 23/5: Version 5.0 of unc0ver is now available, allowing jailbreak to any device running iOS 13.5. You can read the original article below:

Jailbreak users had a big surprise last year with the announcement of checkm8, an exploit found on almost every chip made by Apple that allowed the jailbreak process on several devices running different versions of iOS. Now, jailbreak is coming for even more devices, as unc0ver team announced today a new tool that can patch “every signed iOS version on every device.”


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Custom QR codes and other assets emerge from Apple’s upcoming iOS 14 AR app

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo May 18 2020 - 10:22 am PT
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Back in March, we reported on a new augmented reality app that Apple is developing internally as part of iOS 14 builds. This involved scanning QR codes to enter AR environments, which will be viewable on the iPhone or a connected headset (like Apple’s in-development AR glasses).

The Twitter account Unknownz21 shared some screenshots from that build, which includes some cool custom QR code designs (the usual square QR code has a lot of redundancy, so you can include patterns or logos without data loss) as well as what appears to be a custom circular visual code designed by Apple. More via Josh Constine, from the Moving Product newsletter below …


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Apple Watch and iPhone can automatically send vital Medical ID info to first responders in iOS 13.5

Avatar for Zac Hall May 6 2020 - 11:19 am PT
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Apple is moving quickly to release new software features that improve lives during the COVID-19 health pandemic. One new feature that’s aimed to help first responders will be useful for iPhone and Apple Watch users even after we reach the other side of the coronavirus outbreak. The change is coming in iOS 13.5 and watchOS 6.2.5 later this month.


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Apple releases iOS 13.5 developer beta 4 with Exposure Notification API, FaceTime and Face ID changes

Avatar for Chance Miller May 6 2020 - 9:57 am PT
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How to turn on and off COVID-19 contact tracing iPhone iOS

Apple is releasing the fourth developer beta of iOS 13.5 today, following last week’s release of beta 3. iOS 13.5 includes improvements to the FaceTime app, Face ID, and the groundwork for Apple and Google’s Exposure Notification API. [Update: Now available, and Apple is releasing a new public beta of iOS 13.5 today as well.]


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Report: iOS adoption sees highest numbers in Q1 US activations since 2016

Avatar for Michael Potuck Apr 10 2020 - 2:23 pm PT
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iOS Android loyalty

CIRP is out with a new analyst report today looking at US smartphone activations in the March quarter and whether consumers went with iOS or Android. On the bright side for Apple, iOS adoption for new activations was the highest its been since 2016. However, customer loyalty is very high for both Android and iOS, so there aren’t many switchers to pitch to…


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How to screen share and remote control iPhone, iPad, Mac to help colleagues, friends, and family

Avatar for Michael Potuck Mar 30 2020 - 1:42 pm PT
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How to screen share iPhone iPad Mac remote control

The need for video calls and screen sharing has really ramped up as the coronavirus pandemic has spread around the world. Sometimes it’s easy enough to troubleshoot with a call or text when you aren’t nearby, but it’s often helpful to see what’s happening on-screen and also have some remote control access. Follow along for a look at how to screen share with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and more to help coworkers, friends, and family with tech support more efficiently.


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