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iOS

4,853 'iOS' stories August 2010 - September 2019
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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 iPadOS 13.1 featuring Dark Mode, new Home Screen and multitasking, Arcade, and more

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 24 2019 - 9:59 am PT
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Apple today released iPadOS 13.1 for iPad. Head to Settings -> General -> Software Update to get the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system for your tablet. Also, Apple’s latest iPad is shipping tomorrow, with iPadOS.

iPadOS includes all of the same features as iOS 13 like Dark Mode, the redesigned Photos experience, Messages profiles, and a new Reminders app. iPadOS also boasts some tablet-exclusive changes like updates to the Home screen, new multitasking capabilities, and much more…


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Did your iOS update fail? Here’s how to troubleshoot

Avatar for Chance Miller Sep 22 2019 - 11:04 am PT
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ios update fail

9to5Mac is brought to you by JustAnswer: Connect 1-on-1 with an Apple support Expert to get step-by-step assistance via phone or online chat, 24/7. Try it now. 

Apple just released iOS 13 to the public, and it’s available as an over-air-download to users now. Did your iOS update fail for some reason? Read on as we walk through a few common problems and solutions.


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iPhone 11 Pro loses to iPhone XS in app launch speed test

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 22 2019 - 1:37 am PT
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The iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro boasts a 20% faster processor on paper, but how does that translate into real-world use? Not great at least running iOS 13.0 when compared to the iPhone XS.

App launch speed tests aren’t the be all and end all, but they give a reasonable stress test overview that it is at least less synthetic than Geekbench scores. In EverythingApplePro’s video, the iPhone XS actually beat the iPhone 11 Pro by thirty seconds …


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iOS 13.1 and iPadOS launching September 24, tvOS 13 at end of month

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 19 2019 - 10:11 am PT
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Apple has today released iOS 13 for the iPhone, and watchOS 6 for the Apple Watch, and you can see our roundups for an overview of the new features you can start using right now. However, there’s a lot more still to come as Apple is staggering the software update schedule this year.

There are more features for the iPhone already previewed, and entire OS updates coming over the next month or so. Here’s what Apple has announced so far.


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iOS 13: Hands-on with the top new features and changes for iPhone [Video]

Avatar for Jeff Benjamin Sep 19 2019 - 10:09 am PT
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After being revealed to developers back in June at WWDC, today Apple has officially released the highly-anticipated iOS 13 to the general public. As a follow-up to iOS 12, this release features a wealth of new changes and features, with most of them being highlighted in our initial look at iOS 13.

Needless to say, if you’ve managed to stay off the developer or public betas for iOS 13 up until now, get ready for a wealth of new changes and updates!

In this video, we’ve hand-selected over 20 of the top new features found in iOS 13. Watch our hands-on video walkthrough for the details, and be sure to subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more coverage.
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SmartGym iOS Apple Watch update

SmartGym for iPhone gains ARKit 3 Body Detection and Pose Estimation, full Siri Shortcuts support, Apple Watch app now independent, more

Avatar for Michael Potuck Sep 19 2019 - 9:06 am PT
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SmartGym is out with an update today that brings a range of new features and capabilities. Headling the update for iOS is ARKit 3 integration that brings Body Detection and Pose Estimation. There’s also full Siri Shortcuts support for parameters. The SmartGym Apple Watch app is now fully independent with watchOS 6 with a new “Explore” section, while iPad will gain multiwindow support when iPadOS 13 arrives.


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iOS 13.1 developer beta 3 now available as public release set for September 30

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 10 2019 - 1:09 pm PT
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Update: Apple has released macOS Catalina 10.15 beta 8, as well.

Apple is today releasing the third developer beta of iOS 13.1 for iPhone and iPadOS 13.1 for iPad devices. The company today announced that iOS 13.1 would ship on September 30, a few weeks after iOS 13.0 drops. Apple has also released the GM seed for iOS 13.

iOS 13.1 brings back several features that were originally in the iOS 13 betas, but were removed to be worked on some more. Apple also announced a few new features today, targeted at the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models, that will become available in iOS 13.1


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Eve announces new HomeKit smart water detector, EU light switch, range extender now shipping

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 5 2019 - 6:00 am PT
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Longtime HomeKit accessory maker Eve Systems today announced a handful of updates to its smart home range. The Eve Extend is finally shipping and available to buy, allowing Eve users to connect its Bluetooth accessories to the full range of your home Wi-Fi network.

Eve also unveiled Eve Water Guard, a smart water detector coming next year, and enhancements to its Eve Thermo smart radiator valve. The company is also debuting an EU version of its Eve Light Switch, launching in countries beyond the US this October.


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Apple releasing second iOS 13.1 developer beta today

Avatar for Chance Miller Sep 4 2019 - 9:58 am PT
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iOS 13.1

Update: iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1 developer beta 2 now available, as well as tvOS 13 beta 9. Apple is also releasing iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1 public beta 2 today.

Apple will release the second developer beta of iOS 13.1 today. This comes after Apple kicked off the iOS 13.1 beta testing process last week.

Apple’s public beta builds should follow at a later date after the latest developer beta has been tested in the wild.


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Apple releases first developer beta of iOS 13.1 before iOS 13 actually leaves beta

Avatar for Chance Miller Aug 27 2019 - 10:18 am PT
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Apple is releasing a new iOS 13 developer build today. The release comes just under one week since the last round of iOS 13 beta releases. Interestingly, Apple has labeled this week’s release as iOS 13.1 developer beta, suggesting that beta testing iOS 13 has ended. watchOS 6 developer beta 9 is available and labeled as such.

Apple’s public beta builds should follow at a later date after the latest developer beta has been tested in the wild.


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How to conserve your cellular data use on iPhone and iPad

Avatar for Chance Miller Aug 25 2019 - 1:24 pm PT
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iPhone data use

9to5Mac is brought to you by JustAnswer: Connect 1-on-1 with an Apple support Expert to get step-by-step assistance via phone or online chat, 24/7. Try it now. 

While “unlimited” data plans have made a return at many carriers, they still aren’t truly unlimited. When you hit a certain amount of iPhone data use, you’ll like either be throttled or charged for more data. On the other hand, maybe you only pay for a certain amount of data, and want to avoid going over.

Either way, there are a few ways in iOS to help conserve your cellular data use.


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