Today, everyone knows about iOS. iOS is the name of Apple’s mobile operating system, developed by the Apple and Runs in the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Basically, iOS is the operating system that comes inbuilt on all the mobile devices developed by Apple Inc. which permits them to run and provision other apps. One can say that the iOS is same to the iPhone what Windows is to the PC and Mac OS X is to Macs. Till now, a large no. of iOS versions were rolled up in the market. Below you will find these versions with some information on them, one by one. So, let’s dive into them!!
- iPhone OS 1:-
Apple Inc. launched iPhone OS 1 on January 9, 2007, and this version was announced to the public together with the original iPhone on June 29, 2007. With this version, the actual journey was started. It was shipped inbuilt on the iPhone.No certified name was specified in its first release. The announcement of iPhone OS 1.1 carried the provision for the iPod Touch. The final version of this OS 1 was iPhone OS 1.1.5. So many smart features were given by this version of iOS. Some of them are like it supports the option for a multitouch screen. Moreover, it also supports photographic Voicemail, and iTunes incorporation were noteworthy advances. Though this release was the main innovation at that time, it also lacked in many advanced features that are supported in the upcoming iPhones. Support for iPhone OS 1 ended in the year 2010.
- iPhone OS 2: –
Apple Released iPhone OS 2 on March 2008, and it was announced to the public on July 11, 2008, together with the iPhone 3G. Apple Inc. introduced many remarkable features with iPhone 3G. iPhone OS 2.1.1 was for iPod Touch. Notably, the most prominent feature of this version is the App Store which also supports intrinsic and third-party applications. The final version of iPhone OS 2 is OS 2.2.1 that supports the feature of the podcast as well as navigations. Support for iPhone OS 2 ended in the year 2011.
- iPhone OS 3:-
Apple launched iPhone OS 3 in March 2009, and it was released to public on June 17, 2009 together with iPhone 3GS. This version of iOS supports many features such as cut, copy and paste. The feature of video recording is also offered in this version. Spotlight search option is also available in iPhone OS 3. Notably, the most tempting feature of this version is that it escorted the debut of iPad. The final version of the iPhone OS 3 that is OS 3.2.2 was released on Aug. 11, 2010. Support for iPhone OS 3 ended in the year 2012.
- iOS 4: –
Apple rolled up the iOS 4 into the market in March 2010 and it was announced to the public on June 21, 2010, together with iPhone 4. In iOS 4, many features of the later iOS began to take their form. With announcement of iPhone4, Apple threw down the support for the original iPhone plus iPod Touch (1st generation), and it was the first time when Apple Inc. had ended support for any device in an iOS announcement. The main features introduced with this version are FaceTime, iBooks, Airplay, Personal Hotspot, and moreover unifying apps into different folders. Moreover, the most important change that was brought up by this version is in the name of iOS itself. Now, it was replaced by iOS 4. This version is not friendly with the original iPhone and first-generation iPad Touch. The final version rolled into the market on July 25, 2011. Support ended in the year 2013 for iOS 4.
- iOS 5: –
Apple launched iOS 5 on June 6, 2011, and to the public on October 12, 2011, together with iPhone 4S. The release of iOS 5.1 carried away the support for iPad 3. With the release of this version, many features got introduced, this time Apple Inc. focused on the upcoming trends of cloud computing as well as on the wireless. iCloud, iMessage, Wireless syncing in addition to the activation, and Notification Center are some of the new features that were offered in iOS 5. Many people were tempted to buy this iPhone because of its outstanding features. With iOS 5, Apple Inc. ended support for the iPhone 3G, 1st generation iPad, besides 2nd and 3rd generation iPod touch. The final version 5.1.1 was debuted on Oct. 12, 2011. Support for iOS 5 ended in 2014.
- iOS 6: –
Apple released iOS 6 on June 11, 2012, and for the public on September 19, 2012, along with iPhone 5, iPod Touch (5th generation), and iPad 4. This version remained in news for a long time. The most critical time for Apple Inc. occurred when this version had released, competition with the most profound company Google was on the top at that time. Android smartphones started to compete with the iPhone. Features brought up by iOS 6 are Apple Maps, Passbook for the wallets and Do Not Disturb. The final version that is 6.1.6 was released on sept. 19, 2012.
- iOS 7: –
Apple launched iOS 7 on June 10, 2013, and for the public on September 18, 2013, together with iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. Initially, on the release of this version, it remained in controversies, but, the reason behind the customer’s unhappiness was not that things were not functioning properly as in iOS 6. But, it was because things got changed very much. Though the design was certainly more advanced, its trivial, thin fonts were very tough to read for some of its customers and more over regular animations triggered motion illness for others. With the release of this version, Apple Inc. ended support for the iPhone 3GS because of the hardware restrictions and of iPod Touch as because of performance problems. Features that were supported by iOS 7 are that it supports Activation Lock, AirDrop and CarPlay. Touch ID was also offered by this version. Final version 7.1.2 was announced on June 30, 2014. Support ended in the year 2016.
- iOS 8: –
More reliable as well as steady operation reverted to iOS in version 8.0 which was announced on June 2, 2014, and released to the public on September 17, 2014, together with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. With this release, Apple ended support for just one device that is iPhone 4. With essential ups and downs of last two versions released earlier, Apple once again concentrated on bringing significant features. The Key new features that were augmented with this version are that it supports Apple Music, Handoff, iCloud Drive, and third-party keyboards. Final version 8.4.1 was announced on Aug. 13, 2015.
- iOS 9: –
In spite of Apple’s promise of enhanced performance of these versions, there were still extensive criticisms that the matter had not been resolved. It was recommended that Apple should make emphasis on shoring up the groundwork of the OS prior to the addition of new and advanced features. This is what Apple Inc. listened and brought up a new version iOS 9. Apple released iOS 9 on June 8, 2015, and it was publicized on September 16, 2015, together with the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and iPad Mini 4. IOS 9 proved to be an imperative changing that laid the foundation for bigger enhancements that are brought up in iOS 10 and 11. Features that were offered by this version are just wow. Some of them are Low Power Mode, Night Shift, and Public Beta Program. The 9.3.5 version was released on Sept. 16, 2015.
- iOS 10: –
Apple launched iOS 10 on June 13, 2016, and to the public on September 13, 2016, with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. With this announcement, Apple ended support for devices such as the iPhone 4S, iPad 2 & iPad 3, iPad Mini (1st generation) and iPad Touch of the fifth generation. The most important feature of iOS 10 was interoperability as well as customization. In iOS 10 apps can easily communicate with each other and moreover, one app can use the features of second app even without opening it. Apart from that, customers now had different ways to modify their proficiencies, from being able to remove inbuilt apps to new animatronics as well as effects. 10.3.3 version was rolled up into the market in July. 19, 2017.
- iOS 11: –
Apple launched iOS 11 on June 5, 2017, and it was published on September 19, 2017, together with iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. IOS 11 encompasses lots of enhancements for iPhone. The most prominent features that are supported by this version are AirPlay2 and with this version, major enhancements occurred in iPad. Current version 11.4 was released on May 29, 2018.
