Last updated on 2012-09-19, by Tony

From iOS 1 to iOS 6 – 6 Year Evolution of iOS

In order to make the latest iPhone more attractive and competitive, Apple usually equips it with the newest iOS system. iPhone was a device running iOS 1 while the newly-released iPhone 5 gets iOS 6. Therefore, by studying the development of iPhone, one can also trace the evolution of iOS. Though there are just limited versions of iOS system available in the market, ranging from iOS 1 to iOS 6, iOS is still second most favored smartphone operating system in the world. However, the great success of iOS wasn’t achieved in a day.

From iOS 1 to iOS 6, the operating system of iPhone mobile is becoming better and better in a subtle way. Actually, it has turned out to be another influential and attractive mark presented by Apple. For example, when iPhone 5 was released, people not only pay attention to the design and hardware of the mobile, but also care about iOS 6 the mobile is running. Then what is the difference between different versions of iOS system? For those who want to learn more from iOS 1 to iOS 6, this post will present them a general review on 6 year evolution of iOS.

1. iOS 1: Forerunner

Released along with the first generation of iPhone, iOS 1 didn’t attract much attention at that time. Also known as iPhone OS, iOS 1 is a system without support to Apple Store or iTunes. There are just applications like Messages, YouTube, Calendar, Stock and Note. Jobs initially desired to make iOS 1 a system where web application could work as flawlessly as those native applications on iPhone. Luckily, he denied his assumption in later versions of iOS system.

2. iOS 2: Winner

An important feature of iOS 2 lied in its support to App Store where various third-party apps could be traced. With the support of various applications from App Store, iOS 2 turned out to be one of the biggest winners in mobile market. Extra functions were added to iOS 2 such as sending or receiving email, screen capturing and viewing Microsoft Office files. With the help of iOS 2, iPhone 3G turned out to one of the best-selling mobiles of the year.

3. iOS 3: Milestone

As a milestone in the evolution of iOS system, iOS 3 was well known for being the first iOS system installed in iPad, another influential Apple device. With the coalition formed by iPod, iPhone and iPad, iOS 3 soon attracted the world’s attention. Not only can the minor updates be traced in iOS 3 but also new functions. iOS 3 not only enabled users to enjoy copy, paste and cut texts, but also record videos with the high-resolution camera.

4. iOS 4: Fashion Leader

Before iOS 4, iPhone mobile was not as a powerful multimedia tool as it was at present. As an operating system released on June 17th, iOS 4 made iPhone 3GS a mobile that could make video call easily with FaceTime and read e-book freely with iBook. Moreover, before iOS 4, multitasking was limited to a selection of the applications. As a consequence, iOS 4, whose features were viewed as industry standards, made iPhone 3GS a fashion leader in the arena.

5. iOS 5: Innovator

Just as the word “innovator” had implied, iOS 5 tried to be an innovative and creative operating system. Comparing with iOS 4, over 200 new functions were added to iOS 5 including a new notification system, photo editing function and iMessage. Moreover, with the eye-attracting iCloud, users could transfer photos from iPhone 4S to computers without using iTunes. Besides that, iOS 5 took full advantages of social networking service like Twitter.

6. iOS 6: Dominator

As the system of long-rumored iPhone 5, iOS 6 executes some bolding changes. It not only replaces Google Map with its own 3D map but also excludes YouTube app out of its supporting list. However, with improved Siri and newly-designed iBookstore, iOS 6 is viewed as the best mobile system ever released by Apple. Moreover, with Passbook, one can easily pay the tickets of basketball or baseball games via iPhone 5. As a dominator in mobile system market, iOS 6 gains various apps exclusively designed for disables.