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iOS

4,916 'iOS' stories August 2010 - July 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)

Apple releases fourth iOS 12, tvOS 12, and macOS Mojave public betas

Avatar for Zac Hall Jul 31 2018 - 10:02 am PT
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Apple has released the fourth iOS 12 public beta for iPhone and iPad. The new version follows iOS 12 developer beta 5 which was released yesterday. The new version includes minimal changes including new tones within FaceTime, updates to the Stocks widget, and more. tvOS 12 public beta 4 and macOS Mojave public beta 4 are also available today.


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iPhone: How to customize respond with text while receiving a phone call

Avatar for Peter Cao Jul 27 2018 - 12:01 am PT
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While most users won’t make or receive phone calls anymore, it’s still a thing that’s built into iPhone. Especially, when you have family who is older who may have a smartphone but really shouldn’t. In any case, sometimes you simply cannot take a phone call. For example, if you’re in a meeting or at an event. So, in those situations it would be nice to send a quick text, letting the person on the line know what’s going on.


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10 years of the App Store: The design evolution of the earliest apps

Avatar for Michael Steeber Jul 10 2018 - 7:44 am PT
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One of the most significant design opportunities in recent history was announced with a simple blog post on Apple’s website. “Let me just say it: We want native third-party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers’ hands in February,” Steve Jobs wrote. On a quiet Thursday morning less than a year later, the App Store opened to iPhone users with a selection of just over 500 apps.


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Law enforcement may be able to work around iOS 11.4.1 Lightning port restrictions … using a dongle

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Jul 10 2018 - 2:29 am PT
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iOS 11.4.1 (and iOS 12) include new line of defence against a type of security hack aimed at brute-forcing access to iPhones and iPads. The Grayshift boxes plug into the Lightning port and remove prolonged delays between PIN code attempts, allowing law enforcement (or criminals) to brute-force an unlock.

The new USB Restricted Mode in iOS 11.4.1 simply prevents any USB accessories from connecting if the phone has not been unlocked in the last hour. As it typically takes more than an hour to get a warrant for police to be allowed to use a Grayshift box, this is quite a significant roadblock. However, ElcomSoft note that the behaviour can be worked around in some cases …


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Apple releases second iOS 12, tvOS 12, and macOS Mojave public betas

Avatar for Zac Hall Jul 5 2018 - 10:03 am PT
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Apple has released the second iOS 12 public beta for iPhone and iPad. The new version follows iOS 12 developer beta 3 which was released earlier this week. iOS 12 public beta 2 is the same build version as the latest developer beta version which means GPS and CarPlay bugs should be resolved.

Apple has also released the second tvOS 12 and macOS Mojave public betas.


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