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4,916 'iOS' stories August 2010 - September 2018
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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 to get off the iOS public beta

Avatar for Peter Cao Sep 20 2018 - 4:27 pm PT
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iOS 12 released to the public this past Monday, and not too soon after new iOS 12.1 public beta. Typically users stay on the major release betas to try out the new features announced at WWDC, however, most want to leave as soon as the major release is updated because minor updates don’t really have a “wow” factor to them.


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iOS 12.1 suggests iCloud syncing for Memoji coming soon

Avatar for Guilherme Rambo Sep 18 2018 - 6:30 pm PT
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Today, Apple released the first beta of iOS 12.1. While it may seem too soon to start yet another beta cycle, software is never really completed, so it makes sense for Apple to offer betas to allow developers and users to start filing bug reports and testing new features, including the much-awaited group FaceTime.

As usual, Apple’s software release also offers some hints as to future features…


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iOS 12 is now available with performance boosts, Screen Time, smarter notifications, much more

Avatar for Zac Hall Sep 17 2018 - 10:00 am PT
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iOS 12 is officially out of beta and now available for everyone. The major software update for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch runs on any device that runs iOS 11 — including iPhone 5s and newer, iPad mini 2 and newer, and the latest iPod touch.

For older devices, iOS 12 should noticeably improve performance when launching the keyboard, share sheet, taking a photo, and much more. The update is also the first version to include Screen Time which helps you manage time spent in apps and significantly upgrades parental controls. Notifications are also grouped intelligently and Do Not Disturb is much more flexible.

Read on for the official release notes to see everything new in iOS 12:


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iOS dominating enterprise with 79% of mobile business use coming from iPhone and iPad

Avatar for Michael Potuck Sep 4 2018 - 8:40 am PT
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New research from the data protection and file sharing company, Egnyte, is shedding more light on iOS use in the enterprise market. While Apple is still a minor player when it come desktops in business, it has become the clear leader for mobile devices with iPhone and iPad. We’ve also got a look at the most popular devices from iOS, Android, to Surface.


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iOS 12 developer beta 8 for iPhone and iPad expected today after beta 7 pulled [U: Now available]

Avatar for Zac Hall Aug 15 2018 - 9:19 am PT
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iPhone iOS 12

[Update: Build 16A5357b now available, up from 16A5354b. Note that users who downloaded but didn’t install beta 7 may need to remove the file from Storage Settings.]

We expect Apple to release iOS 12 developer beta 8 for iPhone and iPad today after pulling iOS 12 developer beta 7 on Monday. The release earlier this week included initial performance issues that eventually caused Apple to pull both the OTA update and IPSW restore images for the build.


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iOS 12 developer beta 7 for iPhone and iPad coming today [U: Now available … and pulled]

Avatar for Zac Hall Aug 13 2018 - 9:05 am PT
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[Update: now available!]

[Update 2: now unavailable!]

iOS 12 beta 7 for iPhone and iPad will be released shortly, just one week after the previous beta and the third release in as many weeks. The last beta version included changes to the Home app’s default wallpaper set, updated icons, and other small tweaks. We’ll dig in to the new build today as soon as it is released and update with any features that have changed.


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iOS 12 developer beta 6 for iPhone and iPad coming today (U: Out now)

Avatar for Zac Hall Aug 6 2018 - 9:16 am PT
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(Update: Now available!)

Prepare your iPhones and iPads for iOS 12 beta 6! iOS 12 betas have been released roughly every two weeks so far this summer, but today we expect to see the sixth developer beta version of iOS 12 released just one week after the previous version. We’ll update as soon as the new beta version is live and start digging in for changes.


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Four features I’d love to see come to Mail on iOS

Avatar for Bradley C Aug 5 2018 - 6:00 am PT
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While there is a lot of great options for iOS mail clients, the built-in client is no slouch. Even after extended periods using third-party clients, I tend to always end up using the official app from Apple.

While it’s probably in need of an overhaul design-wise, it still holds up day to day use cases for me. I get a lot of email during the day, and I still feel like I can power through email on the iOS app just as well as I can anything else.

There are some features that I hope it gets in iOS 13 that would take it to the next level. Here they are:


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