From Revolutionary Beginnings to AI-Powered Future: The Epic Evolution of iOS 1–26 (2007–2025)

Comprehensive Comparison of iOS Versions Through iOS 26

Apple’s iOS (formerly iPhone OS) has come a long way since its debut on the original iPhone in 2007. In nearly 18 years, it transformed from a simple touch-based OS with no third-party apps into a feature-rich, AI-enhanced platform running on over a billion devices. This comprehensive timeline examines every major iOS release from version 1 through the upcoming iOS 26, highlighting key features, interface changes, performance and security enhancements, device compatibility shifts, developer tools, notable bugs or controversies, adoption trends, and expert commentary along the way. (Spoiler: Apple didn’t always get it right – remember the Maps fiasco? – but each stumble led to a stronger iOS.) Grab your iPhone (or iPad) and let’s travel through the history of iOS, version by version, to see how Apple’s mobile software evolved and where it’s headed next.

iPhone OS 1 (2007) – The Original Revolution

Release: June 29, 2007 (with the first iPhone). Apple’s first mobile OS – initially just called “iPhone OS” – was a pared-down version of OS X, designed for a multi-touch screen. Steve Jobs famously described it simply as, “iPhone runs OS X” (in reality, a specialized variant) en.wikipedia.org.

• Key Features: A capacitive multi-touch UI with pinch-to-zoom and inertial scrolling made mobile computing feel fluid and intuitive. It launched with core apps like Phone, Mail, Safari, iPod (music/videos), SMS, Calendar, Photos, and YouTube. Visual Voicemail was an innovative carrier-supported feature letting users see and play voice messages in any order. Web browsing and email on a phone were standout capabilities, powered by Safari and Mail.
• What It Lacked: A lot! The original iPhone OS did not support third-party native apps – no App Store existed yet. Developers were told to create web apps for Safari. There was no copy/paste, no MMS picture messaging, no turn-by-turn GPS, no multitasking beyond iPod music playback. Even basics like an orientation lock or editable home screen wallpaper were missing (the home screen was a fixed black background). These limitations would be addressed in subsequent releases as users clamored for more functionality.
• User Interface/UX: iPhone OS 1 introduced the iconic grid of rounded app icons and skeuomorphic design (apps mimicked real-world objects – e.g. Notes looked like a yellow notepad). It was finger-friendly and simple – far more approachable than stylus-driven smartphone OSes of the time. The lack of a physical keyboard was controversial, but Apple’s multitouch keyboard with auto-correct was surprisingly effective. The overall UI was fast and smooth for its day, which immediately set iPhone apart. Reviewers marveled at features like pinch-to-zoom on photos and webpages, calling the experience “groundbreaking”.
• Performance: Running on a 620MHz ARM11 chip underclocked to 412MHz, iPhone OS 1 was optimized for the hardware. It felt smooth in core interactions thanks to Apple’s tight integration, though by modern standards it was very limited in multitasking (essentially one app at a time). Stability was good for a 1.0 product, with only a few early bugs (Apple issued minor updates 1.0.1 and 1.0.2 within months for bug fixes).
• Compatibility: Supported only the original iPhone (EDGE) and the iPod Touch (which was introduced a few months later in Sept 2007). No other devices existed yet. Each iPhone OS update had to be applied via iTunes sync – no OTA updates then. Notably, iPod Touch users had to pay $19.95 for the 1.1.3 update in early 2008 (due to accounting rules), a practice Apple soon abandoned.
• Developer Tools: There was no SDK for native apps. This was perhaps iPhone OS 1’s biggest shortcoming. Web apps were the only option, using Safari and AJAX – a strategy widely panned. In 2007, hackers did figure out jailbreaks, allowing unofficial apps, foreshadowing the demand for an official app ecosystem.
• Notable Bugs/Controversies: Aside from lacking features, the first big controversy was Apple’s control – no apps, no unlocking (at launch). Enthusiasts quickly unlocked the iPhone to work on carriers beyond AT&T, and Apple responded with software updates that re-locked devices and even “bricked” some hacked phones. This cat-and-mouse set the stage for ongoing debates about device locking and jailbreaks. But overall, iPhone OS 1’s reception was positive; it redefined the smartphone. Even rival CEOs took note (Palm’s CEO in 2007 famously quipped that Apple would struggle, only to later admit they did something amazing).
• Market Impact: Modest at first in raw numbers (Apple sold ~6.1 million 1st-gen iPhones in the first year), but seismic in influence. The iPhone introduced a new paradigm: a phone driven purely by touch, with desktop-class web and rich media. As The New York Times put it in 2007, the iPhone was “the phone that has changed phones forever.” Apple’s decision to prioritize user experience – even if it meant leaving out copy/paste or 3G initially – paid off in creating a buzz that paved the way for rapid growth. Tech experts credit iPhone OS for accelerating the death of keyboard-centric phones and setting the template for modern mobile OS design.

Expert Commentary: In retrospect, former Apple engineers revealed how secretive and chaotic the development was – even many on the team didn’t know they were building a phone OS. It was a sprint to create a “magical” experience, and they succeeded. As developer Marco Arment later said, “the App Store [in 2008] eliminated friction… but from day one, the App Store wasn’t there – it was the iPhone itself that changed everything”. The iPhone OS 1 foundation set by Apple’s insistence on multitouch, robust Safari, and an “it just works” philosophy gave them a formidable starting point for the mobile era.

iPhone OS 2 (2008) – The App Store Revolution

Release: July 11, 2008 (with iPhone 3G). If the original iPhone proved people wanted a real smartphone, iPhone OS 2.0 proved people needed apps. This update’s significance can’t be overstated: it introduced the App Store and opened iOS to third-party developers, igniting the mobile app economy.

• Key Features & Improvements:
  • App Store & SDK: Apple launched the App Store with 500 apps on day one, alongside a public iPhone SDK for developers. For the first time, you could download native third-party apps directly to the iPhone (or via iTunes). This was transformative: suddenly the iPhone wasn’t limited to Apple’s built-in tools – developers large and small could innovate on the platform. In Steve Jobs’ words, “The App Store is a grand slam, with a staggering 10 million applications downloaded in just three days.” That stat came after the first weekend – clearly, users were hungry for apps. The SDK gave developers a comprehensive toolset (Xcode, Interface Builder, iPhone simulator) and access to iPhone APIs. This move “laid the foundation for the explosive growth of mobile app development” in the years ahead.
  • Enterprise Support: iPhone OS 2 added features to make iPhone viable in corporate environments. It introduced Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support for push email, contacts, and calendars. Businesses could now integrate iPhone with Outlook/Exchange servers – a big deal in competing with BlackBerry. It also added Cisco IPsec VPN for secure remote access and remote wipe for lost devices. These enterprise features signaled Apple’s intent to push into business, not just consumer, markets.
  • Other new features: Improved Mail (support for viewing iWork and Office attachments en.wikipedia.org, bulk delete/move of messages), the addition of Contacts search, a scientific calculator in landscape mode, and Parental Controls (Restrictions) to disable certain apps or content via passcode. It also quietly enabled emoji (in Japan) and laid groundwork for more languages. Small usability tweaks appeared too: e.g., you could now take screenshots by pressing Home+Power (a hidden feature in 2.0).
  • Performance & Stability: The jump to OS 2.0 came with some growing pains – many early adopters found the initial 2.0 software a bit crash-prone, especially with more apps installed. Apple pushed out iPhone OS 2.1 in September 2008 to fix bugs, improve speed, and reduce dropped calls. That update notably improved battery life and app installation speed. By 2.2 later that year, the system was more stable and even gained a few extras like Google Street View in Maps and podcast downloads on the go.
• UI/UX Evolution: Visually, iPhone OS 2 looked similar to 1.x, but the home screen gained the App Store icon – which quickly became one of the most tapped icons on the device. Apple also added the Contacts app as a separate icon (previously contacts were accessible only through Phone). The presence of third-party apps meant users could now fill multiple home screen pages; Apple added the little home screen page dots indicator for navigation. The core experience remained familiar, but the possibilities exploded – games, utilities, social media apps, you name it – which made the iPhone far more versatile and personal.
• Compatibility: iPhone OS 2 supported the new iPhone 3G and was also provided as a free update for original iPhones. It also supported the iPod Touch 1st-gen, but Apple charged touch users $9.95 for the 2.0 update (again due to accounting rules; they dropped this practice in 2009). The iPhone 3G’s launch with OS 2.0 also marked the expansion of iPhone to many more countries – 21 countries at launch, with more that year – which accelerated iPhone OS adoption globally.
• Notable Bugs/Issues: The App Store’s debut was not without hiccups: the sheer demand overwhelmed Apple’s servers at times, causing slow downloads. Some early apps were buggy and could even crash the phone. There was also the infamous “MobileMe” launch alongside iPhone OS 2. MobileMe (Apple’s cloud sync service) was supposed to seamlessly sync data, but its rocky start (downtime, lost emails) led Steve Jobs to apologize to employees and rebrand it as iCloud a few years later. On the OS side, iPhone users coined “App Store fever” – people were downloading tons of apps, which occasionally exposed memory management issues in iPhone OS 2 (springboard crashes if too many apps or if certain buggy apps misbehaved). These were gradually fixed in updates.
• Adoption & Market Impact: Huge. The App Store turned the iPhone into a platform and gave Apple a massive competitive edge over platforms that lacked a centralized, easy app distribution. In the first month, tens of millions of apps were downloaded; by December 2008, Apple celebrated 300 million app downloads. The phrase “There’s an app for that” became a cultural meme. Apple’s mobile OS now had an entire economy around it, which drove iPhone sales further (why get a Blackberry when iPhone has an app for literally anything?). Competing phone makers rushed to create their own app stores in response. iPhone OS 2 also helped push Apple’s market share upward – especially with the cheaper $199 subsidized iPhone 3G and enterprise features attracting business users away from BlackBerry. In short, OS 2 made the iPhone a must-have by unlocking unlimited functionality through apps.

Expert Commentary: Developers were thrilled. As one CTO noted, the App Store “opened the door for any developer… to build a high quality app and seamlessly deliver it to customers around the world”, democratizing software distribution. The press called the App Store “Apple’s newest gold mine”, seeing early hits like Facebook, Pandora, and games. Even Google’s CEO (then Eric Schmidt) praised Apple for creating a “whole new phone business.” With iPhone OS 2, Apple firmly set the blueprint: a rich SDK, a single official App Store, and a 70/30 revenue split – a model still in place today. In hindsight, opening up iOS in 2008 is what truly ensured its dominance.

iPhone OS 3 (2009) – Filling the Gaps (Copy/Paste at Last!)

Release: June 17, 2009 (with iPhone 3GS). By 2009, the iPhone had momentum, but there were still obvious omissions. iPhone OS 3.0 arrived as a major update that finally added many basic features users had been asking for, making the iPhone far more complete. It also set the stage for the iPad’s introduction.

• Key Features & Improvements:
  • Copy, Cut & Paste: After two years of jokes (“my dumb phone can copy/paste, why can’t the iPhone?”), Apple implemented a clever touch-based copy/paste system. Users could press-hold to bring up a magnifying loupe and select text, then tap to copy and paste it elsewhere. It worked across apps and even allowed copying pictures. This was hugely celebrated – a “game-changer,” increasing productivity for users across various industries. The approach Apple took (contextual pop-over menus for copy/paste) became a standard for touch devices.
  • MMS Messaging: iPhone OS 3 added support for MMS (picture and media messaging via SMS app) for iPhone 3G/3GS. The original 2G iPhone was left out of MMS (likely due to hardware radio limitations), which annoyed some users. But for millions on 3G models, at last you could send photos, audio, and vCards over carrier messaging – an important feature especially outside the U.S. where MMS was popular in 2009.
  • Spotlight Search: Swiping right from the first home screen now brought up Spotlight, a device-wide search tool to find contacts, emails, songs, apps, etc. This was great for power users with lots of data, and it foreshadowed Siri’s later search capabilities.
  • Push Notifications (APNS): Apple introduced the Apple Push Notification Service for third-party apps. Since iOS didn’t allow background apps yet, this was a way for apps to receive alerts (chat messages, news, etc.) via Apple’s servers. It launched with services like IM and games implementing notifications. Though limited to badges, sounds, and text alerts, it was crucial for real-time app functionality (e.g. getting a WhatsApp message when the app isn’t open). Push notifications were actually promised in 2008 but delayed to 2009 – their arrival was very welcome to keep apps “alive” in a battery-friendly way.
  • Voice Memos & More System Apps: iPhone OS 3 added a built-in Voice Memos app for audio recordings (using the iPhone’s mic). The Stocks app got some upgrades (news headlines, landscape mode charts). The Calendar app gained support for subscriptions and multiple calendars. Notes could finally sync to a computer via iTunes. A Voice Control feature (on iPhone 3GS) let users dial contacts or play music via voice commands – an early precursor to Siri (but all on-device, fixed commands).
  • Landscape Keyboard & Messaging: Apple enabled the landscape (wider) keyboard in more places – Mail, SMS, Notes – not just Safari. Many found this useful for typing longer messages. The Messages app also got an “SMS forwarding” feature and allowed deleting individual messages – small additions that users wanted.
  • Tethering and Hotspot: iPhone OS 3 added the ability to tether an iPhone’s data connection to a laptop via USB or Bluetooth – effectively using the iPhone as a modem. This feature depended on carrier support (many carriers blocked or charged extra for it), but technically it was now there. Later, 3.1 allowed “Find My iPhone” for MobileMe subscribers – an early phone-finding and remote-wipe feature that became free in 2010 and is now critical for device security.
  • Performance: OS 3 was designed to run on the same class of hardware as OS 2 but with more features. Apple managed to optimize well – many reported that iPhone OS 3.0 felt snappier, especially on the iPhone 3GS with its faster CPU and doubled RAM (which really showed off features like copy/paste with zero hiccups). Importantly, Apple did not drop support for any devices with 3.0 – it supported everything that ran OS 2, including the original iPhone. However, not all features came to all devices (e.g. original iPhone lacked MMS and Bluetooth stereo audio). The final 3.1.3 version in 2010 was the last update ever for the original iPhone, closing out its support life with a fairly stable OS.
• iPad & iPhone OS 3.2: In April 2010, Apple released the iPad running iPhone OS 3.2 – a variant of OS 3 optimized for the tablet (with an expanded UI, popover menus, split views, etc.). iPhone OS 3.2 was iPad-only and introduced tablet-specific frameworks. This set the stage for iOS 4 to unify phone and pad. It’s worth noting as part of OS 3’s legacy, since it revealed the versatility of Apple’s OS – scaling from a 3.5″ phone to a 9.7″ tablet smoothly.
• Notable Bugs/Controversies: By OS 3, iPhone software was relatively mature, so fewer major bugs made headlines. One minor controversy: AT&T in the U.S. didn’t enable MMS for iPhone until late September 2009, months after OS 3’s release (citing network strain). Users were frustrated at the delay for a feature that was now technically supported. Also, tethering was disabled by many U.S. carriers initially. On the security front, a SMS vulnerability was disclosed in mid-2009 that could allow device hijacking via malicious text – Apple patched it quickly in OS 3.0.1. Overall, OS 3’s launch was smooth compared to the bumpy 2.0 introduction.
• Adoption & Market Impact: iPhone OS 3 kept Apple’s momentum. By late 2009, Apple had sold tens of millions of iPhones and iPod Touches, and the App Store crossed 1 billion downloads in April 2009 and then 2 billion by that fall. The availability of copy/paste and MMS removed some reasons skeptics used to dismiss the iPhone. With enterprise features from OS 2 and the new improvements in OS 3, the iPhone became far more viable for a wider audience. The iPhone 3GS launch alongside OS 3.0 was a hit, and a large percentage of upgraders installed 3.0 within weeks. In fact, Apple revealed that by 2009’s end, more than 100 million devices were running iPhone OS (this figure included iPod touch). This widespread adoption of updates was a trend that strengthened – a stark contrast to the fragmentation seen on competing platforms.

Expert Commentary: Tech writers joked “cut, copy, and paste finally comes to iPhone – and it only took Apple two years,” but most admitted Apple’s implementation was elegant and worth the wait. The Wall Street Journal praised OS 3.0 for turning the iPhone into “a more well-rounded communication tool,” citing the new messaging and search abilities. Developers appreciated new APIs too (e.g. in-app purchases were enabled in OS 3, allowing apps to sell content/services – a big business model shift). An enterprise IT manager told Computerworld in 2009 that iPhone OS 3.0’s encryption and Exchange improvements “removed the last barriers” to deploying iPhones company-wide. In sum, iPhone OS 3 was about refinement and completion – Apple checked off a lot of feature “must-haves” and paved the way for the next era (which would be marked by a new name: iOS).

iOS 4 (2010) – Multitasking, Retina Display, and a New Name

Release: June 21, 2010 (with iPhone 4). Apple rebranded its mobile OS as “iOS” with this version, reflecting that it wasn’t just for iPhone but also iPod touch and the upcoming iPad. iOS 4 was a landmark update: it finally brought true (albeit limited) multitasking, introduced the high-resolution “Retina” graphics, and added many features to keep iOS competitive. It also was the first update to drop support for older devices, signaling that the platform was moving forward rapidly in capability.

• Key Features & Improvements:
  • Multitasking & Fast App Switching: iOS 4 enabled third-party apps to run certain processes in the background and to switch quickly without quitting. Apple took a unique approach – instead of full multitasking (which could drain battery), they provided specific background APIs: e.g. apps could finish tasks, play audio (e.g. Pandora streaming), receive VoIP calls (e.g. Skype) or location updates in the background. When users double-pressed Home, a multitasking tray showed recently used apps for quick switching. This meant you could finally jump between, say, Safari and Mail without losing your place – a huge usability win. iOS 4’s multitasking felt seamless and mostly solved users’ needs while preserving battery life, an approach that was widely admired.
  • Retina Display Support: The iPhone 4’s new Retina display (960×640) had four times the pixels of previous iPhones. iOS 4 was updated to render text and graphics at high resolution, making everything super crisp. This set off a scramble for developers to provide “@2x” assets to make apps look sharp on Retina. It was a visible leap in display quality, and Apple integrated it deeply – even down to sub-pixel anti-aliasing for fonts. iOS 4 could still run older apps (designed for lower res) by pixel-doubling them, but the best experience was with Retina-optimized apps, which many delivered quickly. Retina displays and Apple’s focus on typography/UI clarity became a defining feature of iPhones (and later iPads).
  • Home Screen Folders & Wallpaper: At long last, iOS 4 let users organize apps into Folders on the home screen. By dragging one app onto another, a folder was created (auto-named by category, editable). Each folder could hold about 12 apps (later expanded), massively increasing the number of apps accessible without endless pages. This was a big usability improvement for app-heavy users. Additionally, users could now set a custom wallpaper for the home screen (previously only the lock screen was customizable). This allowed more personalization. (Notably, on iPhone 3G this feature was disabled, likely due to performance issues). The home screen wallpaper plus multitasking tray gave the UI a fresh feel compared to the static black background of prior iPhones.
  • FaceTime & Front Camera: Alongside iOS 4, Apple introduced FaceTime video calling on iPhone 4 (which had the first front-facing camera). While FaceTime was technically an app/service rather than an OS feature, it was integrated into iOS 4’s Phone app for contacts. It only worked on Wi-Fi at first, but it marked Apple’s entry into video chat. iOS provided a seamless experience for it – one tap during a call would initiate FaceTime. The openness (Apple published FaceTime as an open standard, though it didn’t really catch on outside Apple) and ease of use were praised.
  • iBooks & App Improvements: The iBooks app came to iPhone in iOS 4 (after debuting on iPad in early 2010). Users could now read and sync e-books across devices. Mail got a unified inbox (view emails from all accounts in one inbox) and threaded email support, which was a big productivity boost. Camera app gained digital zoom and tap-to-focus for video. Photos app added Faces and Places (from Mac’s iPhoto). Safari got better HTML5 support. Messages finally allowed character count display and had search within texts. Small things, but they added up.
  • Game Center: Apple launched Game Center in iOS 4.1 – a social gaming network with leaderboards, achievements, and friend challenges. This was aimed at the booming iOS games market to help it compete with console-like services. While Game Center’s UI was a bit goofy (green felt background), it laid groundwork for more engaged mobile gaming on iOS.
  • Other Notables: iOS 4 added Bluetooth keyboard support (useful for iPad and maybe iPhone in niche cases). It introduced HD video upload capabilities (to YouTube, etc.) to leverage the iPhone 4’s HD camera. It also had an orientation lock (via the multitasking tray) which users appreciated for reading in bed, etc. On iPad (when iOS 4.2 arrived there in Nov 2010), it brought all these features plus things like a system-wide AirPrint for wireless printing and AirPlay for streaming media to Apple TV – expanding iOS’s integration into the home ecosystem.
  • Under the Hood – 64-bit future preps?: Not visible then, but iOS 4 was the last OS built for only 32-bit. Apple was already planning for 64-bit (which arrived in iOS 7 on A7 chip). Also, iOS 4 made the GPU more important: it introduced hardware-accelerated animation via Core Animation layers and began using the graphics chip for rendering the UI more extensively. This kept things smooth despite higher display resolution.
• Compatibility Changes: iOS 4 dropped support for the original 2007 iPhone and the first iPod Touch – the first time Apple orphaned old iDevices. Those models stayed on iPhone OS 3.1.3 forever. Devices that did get iOS 4 had varying support:
  • iPhone 3G (2008) could install iOS 4, but it ran poorly – many found it laggy. Apple even disabled features like multitasking and home wallpapers on the 3G due to its slower hardware. A controversy brewed as iPhone 3G owners felt iOS 4 made their phones unusable; Apple issued iOS 4.1 and 4.2.1 with performance tweaks for 3G, which helped a bit but it remained strained. This taught Apple a lesson about pushing old hardware – and indeed, iOS 4.2.1 was the last update for iPhone 3G.
  • iPhone 3GS (2009) fully supported iOS 4’s features and handled it well, thanks to its faster CPU and 256MB RAM. In fact, 3GS launched with OS 3 but really shined with OS 4 and later (it even went on to support iOS 6!).
  • iPod Touch 2nd gen got iOS 4 but without multitasking or wallpapers (same A128 as iPhone 3G). iPod Touch 3rd gen (32/64GB models late 2009) fully supported iOS 4 features.
  • iPad: The iPad (1st gen) was new in 2010 and launched on OS 3.2. It received iOS 4.2.1 in November 2010 (Apple skipped 4.0/4.1 on iPad) which gave iPads multitasking, folders, etc. That unified the OS versioning for iPhone and iPad under the “iOS” name from that point. So by end of 2010, iPhone, iPod, iPad were all on iOS 4.2 or 4.3.
• Notable Bugs/Controversies: Aside from the iPhone 3G slowdown (which some dubbed “antenna-gate #0” because many thought Apple was forcing upgrades by slowing old models – a claim Apple denied), iOS 4’s launch was relatively smooth for new devices. However, another huge controversy overshadowed iOS 4’s release: “Antennagate.” The iPhone 4’s external antenna could lose signal if held a certain way (“death grip”). This was a hardware issue, but Apple’s PR misstep (telling users “just avoid holding that way”) caused an uproar. Apple eventually held a press conference and offered free bumpers to mitigate it. While not an iOS bug, it was the controversy of 2010 for Apple. On the software side, iOS 4.0 had a bug where the proximity sensor on iPhone 4 didn’t always detect your face (leading to cheek hang-ups); Apple fixed that in 4.1. Another issue: some users experienced battery drain on iOS 4 – this turned out often due to misbehaving apps in background or mail push issues; Apple made improvements in updates. Security-wise, iOS 4 added Data Protection (disk encryption) on devices with passcodes, a good security boost. There was also the first jailbreak via Safari (“JailbreakMe” in summer 2010) for iOS 4 – highlighting an exploit that Apple patched in 4.0.2.
• Adoption & Impact: iOS 4 drove another wave of upgrades. With the massively successful iPhone 4 (which introduced millions to Retina and FaceTime) and the drop of older devices, a large portion of iOS users migrated to iOS 4 within months. Apple announced 50% of iPhone users were on iOS 4 just 6 weeks after release, an adoption rate far beyond any competitor. By late 2010, iOS 4 (or 4.2 on iPad) was the common platform. The introduction of multitasking and fast app switching closed a feature gap with Android and made the iPhone far more versatile. For instance, streaming music in background (Pandora, Spotify) became a common use-case – something not possible before. The enterprise also got something: iOS 4 enabled Mobile Device Management (MDM) APIs for better device deployment in companies, and added Exchange improvements. This kept iPhone growing in business settings. Market-wise, 2010 was the year iPhone went truly mainstream on the global stage, and iOS 4’s robustness helped: Apple’s smartphone market share was around 15% in 2010, with iOS recognized for its polish and rich app ecosystem (300k+ apps by end of 2010).

Expert Commentary: WWDC 2010, where Jobs unveiled iOS 4, had him boasting “We’re gonna take the biggest leap since the original iPhone” – and many devs agreed iOS 4 was a turning point. Walt Mossberg of the WSJ wrote in his review that “iOS 4 makes the iPhone much more competitive [and] it corrects some of the biggest deficiencies… most users will find it a worthwhile, free upgrade.” Tech pundit John Gruber praised Apple’s implementation of multitasking as “crazy clever… a way to have our cake and eat it too”, referring to preserving battery while offering multitasking. On the flip side, some criticized Apple for fragmenting features (e.g. not all devices got multitasking). But Apple defended this as necessary due to hardware limits. In any case, iOS 4 set the stage for iOS’s next decade: more PC-like capabilities (multitasking, high-res screens), without sacrificing the stability and ease that made iPhone popular.

iOS 5 (2011) – Siri, the Cloud, and Cutting the Cord

Release: October 12, 2011 (with iPhone 4S). Arriving a bit later in the year than usual, iOS 5 was a blockbuster update packed with new features. It introduced Apple’s intelligent voice assistant Siri, deeply integrated iCloud services, and finally untethered the iPhone from the computer with Wi-Fi updates. It also revamped notifications and messaging in big ways. iOS 5 marked Apple’s software turning point into the cloud era, and it was the last iOS launched under Steve Jobs (who passed away the day after iOS 5’s release, making this update feel like the end of an era and the start of a new one under Tim Cook).

• Key Features & Improvements:
  • Siri Voice Assistant: The headline feature with the new iPhone 4S was Siri, a voice-controlled intelligent assistant built into iOS 5. Users could “ask Siri” to send texts, set reminders, check the weather, get answers from the web, and more – all by talking naturally. This was transformative: Siri brought AI-driven voice interaction to the masses, with a personality to boot (witty answers, etc.). Initially, Siri was in beta and supported English, French, German. It required internet (cloud processing). Siri gave iOS a major differentiator – in late 2011 it was something competitors scrambled to match (eventually Google Now, Cortana, etc.). It also foreshadowed Apple’s continued push into AI and context awareness on-device. While not perfect, Siri was widely viewed as the future of how we’ll interact with our phones. As Apple’s software SVP said, “Siri plays the role of a humble personal assistant… it completely changes the way you think about your phone”.
  • Notification Center: After years of intrusive blue pop-up alerts, Apple finally overhauled notifications. Notification Center in iOS 5 provided a pull-down shade (accessed by swiping down from the status bar) where all notifications were collected. Alerts now appeared as banners at the top (less interruptive) and were accessible later in the NC. This was a huge usability improvement (taking a cue from Android’s notification drawer). The lock screen also started showing notifications in a list, with direct access by sliding an icon. Users could customize which apps appeared and how. Apple also added quick widgets for Weather and Stocks in Notification Center. No more popup spam when you got a bunch of texts – iOS 5 made notifications sane and centralized.
  • iMessage: Apple took on BBM and WhatsApp by launching iMessage, a new free messaging service built into the Messages app. It allowed iOS users (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch) to send text, photos, etc. to each other over data, bypassing SMS. It was seamless – you used the same Messages app; the system auto-detected if the recipient was on iOS and switched the bubble from green (SMS) to blue (iMessage). iMessage also supported read receipts, typing indicators, and longer messages, making messaging richer. This quickly became a killer feature locking people into the Apple ecosystem (a trend that continues – the “blue bubble” social effect). By end of 2012, Apple was handling billions of iMessages daily.
  • iCloud Integration: With iOS 5, Apple launched iCloud, replacing the flawed MobileMe. Every Apple ID got 5GB free storage. iCloud in iOS 5 enabled OTA backup of your device to Apple’s cloud – no more needing to plug into iTunes to back up. It also synced contacts, calendars, reminders, Safari bookmarks, notes, etc. across devices. And it introduced Photo Stream, which automatically synced the last 1000 photos across your devices (sort of a precursor to iCloud Photo Library). Documents in the new Pages/Keynote/Numbers apps could sync via iCloud as well. iCloud was built deeply into iOS 5 to make the user’s digital life seamless across iPhone, iPad, Mac. For example, start a conversation in iMessage on iPhone, continue on iPad – all messages synced. Or take a photo on your phone, it appears on your iPad’s photo stream. This cloud syncing was a major strategic move for Apple to unify the user experience and counter services like Google.
  • PC-Free & Wi-Fi Sync: Perhaps the most liberating feature – iOS 5 let you set up and use an iPhone without ever needing a computer. Previously, new iPhones showed a “Connect to iTunes” screen to activate. With iOS 5, out-of-the-box you got a setup assistant on the device. Also, over-the-air (OTA) iOS updates debuted – no more downloading huge IPSW via iTunes for each update; the device could self-update, downloading only deltas (this dramatically improved adoption rates for updates). iOS 5 also introduced Wi-Fi sync to iTunes: if you still wanted to sync music or do a manual backup to your computer, it could happen automatically when your phone was charging and on Wi-Fi. Cutting the cord was a huge step that recognized the primacy of mobile devices – many users might not even own a PC. This change was critical for expanding iPhone globally, where a computer might not be common but a phone is.
  • Reminders & Newsstand: iOS 5 added a few new apps. Reminders, a to-do list app with iCloud sync and crucially, location-based reminders (“remind me to call John when I leave the office”). This showcased integration of GPS with personal data. Newsstand was a special folder/app that gathered digital magazine and newspaper subscriptions in one place, with background download support. (Though Newsstand wasn’t loved by all, it showed Apple’s push into services/content). The Camera app gained a shortcut on the lock screen (double-press Home on lock screen to quickly launch camera – important for capturing moments fast). Also you could now use the volume-up button as a shutter in Camera, which people found much easier for steady shots.
  • Twitter Integration: iOS 5 was the first to integrate a third-party service at OS level – Twitter sign-in was baked in. You could sign in to Twitter once in Settings, then tweet directly from Photos, Safari, YouTube, Maps, etc.. This was Apple acknowledging social media’s role (Facebook integration followed in iOS 6).
  • Miscellaneous: The keyboard got a nifty upgrade: split keyboard for iPad (thumb-typing) and an optional emoji keyboard for everyone. AirPlay Mirroring was introduced (wirelessly mirror iPad/iPhone screen to Apple TV). Mail got some enhancements (rich text formatting, draggable addresses). Calendar added a yearly view on iPad and week view on iPhone in landscape. Game Center was improved with photos and friend recommendations. And built-in dictionary: define a word by long-pressing it, system-wide. All told, iOS 5 had over 200 new features as Apple touted.
• Compatibility Changes: iOS 5 supported the iPhone 3GS and later, and iPod touch 3rd-gen and later, plus all iPads. It dropped support for iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2G. That meant the 2008-era devices (128MB RAM) were left behind on iOS 4.2.1. The 3GS (2009), however, was still supported and even got most features except a few (no Siri for 3GS/4, as Siri was 4S-only due to requiring the A5 chip + likely marketing). Performance on 3GS with iOS 5 was acceptable, though it was the minimum spec. The original iPad (2010) could run iOS 5, but some heavier features (e.g. Safari with many tabs) were a bit constrained by its 256MB RAM. Still, Apple did well to include as many devices as possible – iOS 5 covered a span of devices from mid-2009 to late-2011. That broad support helped get iOS 5 quickly adopted by a huge user base. By early 2012, Apple reported iOS 5 was on ~80% of compatible devices – aided by OTA updates making it so easy.
• Notable Bugs/Controversies: iOS 5’s launch was one of the smoothest yet in terms of software stability, but not without a couple issues: Shortly after release, some users experienced battery drain issues (especially on iPhone 4S). Apple addressed many of these in iOS 5.0.1, attributing it to bugs in the location/time zone setting, etc. There was also a security bug where one could access parts of a locked iPhone via a Smart Cover on iPad 2 (quickly fixed). Siri itself, while impressive, sometimes struggled with accents or certain requests – Apple kept it labeled “beta” for a while. Also, Siri required an internet connection which some criticized (couldn’t even set a reminder offline). iCloud had a big job and mostly worked well, but at launch a few users had trouble with the transition from MobileMe. Over time, occasional iMessage outages reminded users that relying on Apple’s servers had pros and cons. But no major fiasco occurred – iOS 5 was generally very well received. One more subtle controversy: iOS 5 baked in an automatic diagnosis tool that could send data to Apple (Location Services had a new System Services section) – some privacy advocates raised concerns, but Apple gave options to opt out.
• Adoption & Market Impact: iOS 5 was a monster release in terms of impact. It tied users more deeply into Apple’s ecosystem (iMessage locking in friend groups, iCloud tying together devices). It also increased the desirability of iPhones: Siri gave the iPhone 4S a “wow factor” that drove strong sales (the 4S sold millions more than any predecessor in opening weeks). By making the iPhone PC-free, Apple opened the door to many new customers – you no longer needed any tech setup; your phone was truly standalone. This helped expansion into emerging markets. iOS 5 features like Notification Center and OTA updates were basically catching up to competitors, but executed in the polished Apple way – which likely helped retain users who might have been lured by Android’s notifications or OTA convenience. The tech press in 2011 often noted that the gap between iOS and Android UX had narrowed, with each borrowing good ideas from the other (e.g. Android later adopted iOS’s pull-to-refresh concept, while iOS took the notification drawer concept). On the App Store front, iOS 5 enabled cloud backup of app data, which made it easier for users to upgrade phones without losing app content – encouraging app purchases. It also introduced Newsstand which gave publishers a shot at the tablet magazine market (some success there, though later it waned). By the end of 2011, iPhone had around 30% of the US smartphone market, and iOS 5’s strengths helped Apple maintain a lead in customer satisfaction.

Expert Commentary: In his iOS 5 review, John Gruber wrote that “iOS 5 isn’t about one big thing – it’s about many small (and not so small) things that add up to a significant upgrade… [it] finally ‘cuts the cord’.” Many pointed out that Apple was late on things like notifications, but by implementing them well and adding signature features (like Siri), they leapfrogged in user experience. As tech columnist MG Siegler quipped, “Apple didn’t just create a notification center, they created a notification platform” – referencing how Notification Center widgets could be a future expansion (indeed later they were). Walt Mossberg praised iOS 5’s PC-free design: “Apple has made its mobile devices the center of the digital universe, instead of the PC”. That shift in mindset – that your phone could be your primary computing device – was cemented by iOS 5. Siri also got huge media attention; even non-tech shows were talking to Siri (late-night comedians, etc.). While some saw Siri as gimmicky, many felt it was a peek into the future of AI on phones. All in all, iOS 5 was viewed as one of Apple’s strongest releases, packing a ton of utility and setting a direction (cloud, AI, untethered use) that defines modern iOS to this day.

iOS 6 (2012) – Refinement, Maps Fiasco, and the Forstall Era Ends

Release: September 19, 2012 (with iPhone 5). iOS 6 is remembered for one thing above all: the Apple Maps debacle. It was otherwise a relatively incremental update focusing on polish and a few new apps/services. But the Maps controversy – and the management shake-up that followed – marked a turning point for Apple’s software development. iOS 6 would also be the last iOS Scott Forstall oversaw; after its launch, Jony Ive took over human interface design, paving the way for the drastic iOS 7 redesign. Let’s see what iOS 6 brought (and what it broke).

• Key Features & Changes:
  • Apple Maps (and Google Maps removal): iOS 6 replaced Google Maps (which had been the default Maps app since 2007) with Apple’s own Maps app, built on data from TomTom and others. It introduced turn-by-turn voice navigation (finally, on iPhone) and a 3D Flyover mode. However, Apple Maps launched with serious data inaccuracies: missing or mislabeled cities, distorted geography, lack of transit directions, and an overall inferior level of detail compared to Google’s mature product. Users were so frustrated that within days “Maps” became a PR crisis. Tim Cook issued a formal apology, saying Apple was “extremely sorry for the frustration” and even recommended users try alternative map apps or web apps (Google, Nokia, Bing) until Apple Maps improved. This was unprecedented: Apple steering customers to competitor solutions. The fiasco led to the firing of iOS chief Scott Forstall (reportedly for refusing to sign the apology among other issues). While Apple Maps’ UI was actually praised (vector graphics, smooth zoom, turn-by-turn UI), its data quality was not. Over the next years Apple significantly invested in Maps to fix it. But in 2012, “Mapgate” was the big story: Apple’s perfectionist image took a hit. (On the bright side, iOS 6’s Maps did give iPhone users built-in voice navigation and Siri integration for directions – things Android had for a while. And Google later released a standalone Google Maps app in the App Store, which many users promptly downloaded.)
  • Passbook: iOS 6 introduced Passbook (now known as Wallet). Passbook was a new app to store digital tickets, boarding passes, gift cards, and coupons in one place. It used QR codes and could pop up relevant passes on the lock screen when you were near a location (e.g. your Starbucks card at the coffee shop, or your flight boarding pass when you arrived at the airport). This was an early step into the mobile payments world (Apple Pay was two years away, but Passbook laid groundwork). Many companies quickly supported Passbook for tickets (Airlines, movie theaters, etc.). It showcased Apple’s vision of the iPhone as a digital wallet – a strategy that would expand greatly later. Passbook itself was well-received, though limited until mobile payments became a thing.
  • Facebook Integration: Following Twitter in iOS 5, Facebook got system-level integration in iOS 6. Users could sign in once and share content directly to Facebook from Photos, Safari, etc., and sync Facebook events and contacts to Calendar/Contacts. This reflected Facebook’s importance circa 2012 and made sharing easier for users (though some were wary of contact sync mixing info).
  • Siri Improvements: In iOS 6, Siri was no longer 4S-exclusive; it came to the new iPad and iPod Touch. Siri also learned new tricks: she could launch apps (“Open Camera”), tweet or post Facebook updates, get sports scores (“What’s the score of the Giants game?”), make restaurant reservations via OpenTable, and give movie info (showtimes, reviews) en.wikipedia.org. Siri’s knowledge base greatly expanded, making her more useful. Additionally, Apple added Eyes Free Siri integration with certain cars (via Siri button on steering wheel) – early steps into CarPlay-like functionality. Siri in iOS 6 also got language and regional expansions.
  • Do Not Disturb: iOS 6 added Do Not Disturb mode in Settings – allowing users to silence notifications and calls on a schedule (e.g. at night) while optionally allowing some exceptions. A much appreciated quality-of-life feature, DND helped users control interruptions. A memorable bug: on New Year’s 2013, DND failed to turn off for many due to a date bug – Apple poked fun in a TV ad with the Williams sisters.
  • FaceTime over Cellular: Previously, FaceTime video calls were Wi-Fi only. iOS 6 enabled FaceTime over cellular (3G/LTE) on supported carriers/devices. This made FaceTime more flexible (carriers initially resisted due to data use, some tried to charge extra).
  • Shared Photo Streams: An iOS 6 iCloud feature – you could select photos to share in a stream with friends/family, and they’d get them in a separate album (and could comment/like). It was a precursor to today’s iCloud Shared Albums, fostering private photo sharing within iOS.
  • Mail and Phone app tweaks: Mail got a VIP inbox – users could designate important contacts as VIPs and see their emails separately. It also finally allowed inserting photos/videos in an email compose (previously you had to start from Photos app to email a pic). The Phone app added “Respond with Text” and “Remind Me Later” options for incoming calls – so you could decline a call with a quick SMS (e.g. “I’ll call you later”) or set a reminder to call back when leaving a location. Small, but handy.
  • Safari: Safari in iOS 6 added iCloud Tabs (sync open tabs across devices via iCloud) and an offline Reading List. Also a fullscreen mode in landscape on iPhone. Behind the scenes, better HTML5 support and faster JavaScript.
  • Maps (additional): Beyond the controversy, it’s worth noting Maps did bring some good: turn-by-turn with spoken directions (utilizing Siri’s voice), real-time traffic info with incident reports, and the Flyover city tours. It just needed more time in the oven data-wise.
• Compatibility: iOS 6 continued support for the iPhone 3GS (impressive, 3GS got iOS 6 as its fourth major OS) and newer. However, some older devices didn’t get all features (e.g. 3GS and iPhone 4 lacked Flyover and turn-by-turn, presumably for performance). It dropped support for iPad 1 (which stayed on iOS 5), and for iPod Touch 3rd gen. So the oldest supported were iPhone 3GS (2009), iPod Touch 4th gen (2010), and iPad 2 (2011). The iPhone 4 and 4S ran iOS 6 fine; iPhone 5 of course shipped with it. Performance on iPhone 3GS was notably slower on some tasks, but it did function (the 256MB RAM was a limiter in Safari especially). Apple’s trend: ~3 generations of support for iPhones was intact (3GS, 4, 4S all supported). Importantly, iOS 6 was the final version for iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 4G. Also, iOS 6 was the last version where Apple released an update for iPhone 3GS as late as 2014 (for a GPS bug) – showing extended care for old devices.
• Notable Bugs/Controversies:
  • Maps: We covered it – the controversy of iOS 6. CEO Tim Cook’s apology and the firing of Forstall were watershed moments. Apple’s remarkable step of suggesting other map apps and the press/social media mockery (maps sending people astray, etc.) made this front-page news. Even Apple’s Maps icon (showing an impossible driving route) was joked about. The incident highlighted Apple’s risk in dropping a working partner solution (Google Maps) for an in-house one that wasn’t fully ready – arguably a rare strategic misstep.
  • YouTube App Removal: Another change in iOS 6 was Apple removing the built-in YouTube app (as their license with Google expired). Users now had to download Google’s new YouTube app from the App Store (which, fortunately, Google provided and it was actually much better than Apple’s old one). While not exactly a “controversy,” it signaled the end of Apple bundling Google services. Along with Maps, it showed the Apple/Google relationship deteriorating as Android competition heated up.
  • “Purple Flare” Camera Bug: Some iPhone 5 users noticed a purple lens flare on photos when light hit at certain angles. Apple responded it was normal (in other words, not an iOS issue but physics of the new camera). Minor but made some headlines in late 2012.
  • Exchange bugs: Early iOS 6 had an Exchange calendar bug that could result in endless sync loops (fixed in 6.0.1). There was also a Passbook bug at launch (it popped up an App Store error) – quickly resolved. And an odd do-not-disturb bug (DND stayed on into New Year’s Day 2013 due to a glitch) – but Apple humorously referenced it and it auto-corrected after Jan 7. Security-wise, iOS 6 had a lock screen bypass flaw discovered (accessible via emergency call dialer trick) – patched in 6.1.3. Also, the debut of “Evasi0n” jailbreak for iOS 6.0 – 6.1.2 was a big story in the jailbreak community (fixed by Apple in 6.1.3). Generally though, outside of Maps, iOS 6 was stable and well-regarded.
• Adoption & Market Impact: Initially, some users delayed updating due to Maps issues, but Apple said over 100 million devices upgraded to iOS 6 in the first week. Within a couple months, iOS 6 adoption exceeded 2/3 of all iOS devices, despite the negative press. The quick uptake was partly because iPhone 5 required it (and sold in record numbers), and because features like Do Not Disturb, Passbook, and Facebook integration were appealing. iOS 6 kept the momentum: by WWDC 2013 Apple announced 93% of users were on iOS 6 – underscoring Apple’s update adoption dominance. The Maps saga ironically showed Apple’s ecosystem strength – even a high-profile flaw didn’t make most users jump ship; they either used alternatives or trusted Apple to improve. Indeed, many stuck with iOS 6 and as Google released a good Maps app, the issue became less about functionality and more about Apple’s humility in fixing mistakes. On the competitive side, iOS 6 was the last of the skeuomorphic design era – by 2012 some critics said iOS was “looking dated” compared to Android’s more dynamic widgets/UI. This criticism likely spurred the big redesign in iOS 7. But in terms of functionality, iOS 6 was very polished. The iPhone 5 and iOS 6 combo got great reviews (except Maps), and iPhone sales in late 2012 were robust (Apple’s phone market share peaked in some markets then). iOS 6’s Passbook set the stage for Apple’s push into services (Apple Pay in 2014, etc.), and iMessage continued to lock users in (by 2012, over 300 billion iMessages sent). The end of Forstall’s tenure due to iOS 6’s problems was also market-impacting: it led to Ive’s influence on software design and a new chapter for iOS.

Expert Commentary: Tech journalists at the time noted that aside from Maps, iOS 6 was a “fine-tuning release.” David Pogue of NYT said iOS 6 “polishes the iPhone experience to a high gloss” with welcome tweaks like DND, Facebook integration, etc., but also quipped “Apple’s new Maps is an appalling first attempt”. The Guardian tech editor Charles Arthur bluntly wrote, “Apple Maps: Tim Cook says he is ‘extremely sorry’” and recounted the outcry and user frustration. Many analysts saw the Maps snafu as evidence of Apple’s weakness in cloud services compared to its strength in hardware/software integration. But one could also see in Tim Cook’s swift response a new Apple more willing to admit mistakes, versus the Jobs era. The outcome – Forstall out, Ive and Federighi in charge of iOS – was generally applauded by Apple insiders who felt iOS needed fresh visual direction. Little did we know how drastic that would be in iOS 7. In summary, iOS 6 improved the everyday iOS experience (especially with things like DND, better Siri, etc.), but it will always be remembered as “the one with the bad Maps.”

iOS 7 (2013) – A Daring Redesign and Modernization

Release: September 18, 2013 (with iPhone 5s/5c). iOS 7 was the most radical change to iOS’s look and feel since the iPhone’s inception. Under Jony Ive’s direction, Apple dumped skeuomorphism for a flat, minimalist design that immediately polarized users but ultimately set the design language for the next decade. Beyond visuals, iOS 7 introduced many new features (Control Center, AirDrop, iTunes Radio, etc.) and was engineered to support new hardware advances (like Touch ID and 64-bit chips on iPhone 5s). It wasn’t without early issues (performance on older devices, some bugs), but iOS 7 signaled Apple’s adaptation to a changing mobile landscape and a unification of style across its products.

• Major Redesign (UI/UX):
  • Flat Aesthetics: Gone were the heavy textures, shadows, and 3D elements. iOS 7’s UI was flat, colorful, and modern. Apple used a new palette of bright colors for app icons (e.g. green Phone icon, rainbow-ish Photos icon) – many icons were redesigned with simplistic symbols. The use of translucency was pervasive: panels (like Control Center and Notification Center) were frosted glass that blurred content behind, creating depth without skeuomorphic materials. Text was thinner (Apple switched to Helvetica Neue Light as the base font), giving a starkly different feel. App UIs were revamped: e.g. Calendar went from a realistic desk calendar look to a clean white design; Game Center’s green felt was replaced by a white background with bubbles. Even system animations changed – opening apps zoomed their icons fluidly. The lock screen removed the iconic “Slide to Unlock” glossy bar; instead you swiped anywhere. This redesign was divisive at first: some called it “gorgeous, alive, fresh”, others said “childish, flat, confusing”. But it undeniably made iOS look new. Apple itself said, “bringing order to complexity… iOS 7 is the most significant change since the introduction of iPhone”. Notably, the redesign was about more than looks – it forced a lot of developers to update app designs, ushering in a wave of simpler, content-focused app UIs that largely persists.
  • Motion and Layers: iOS 7 introduced a sense of layers and motion. The Home screen had a parallax effect where wallpaper and icons shifted subtly as you tilted the phone, creating depth (some users felt dizziness – Apple later added Reduce Motion to disable it). Transitions were more zooming and physics-based. These touches made the interface feel dynamic and “alive” but also led to complaints of motion sickness by a subset of users (Apple quickly offered a toggle to reduce animations).
  • New System Icons & Controls: Toggle switches in Settings went from realistic flip switches to simple green/white sliders. Buttons in apps became often just text (blue hyperlinks) without borders – which caused some confusion initially (what’s tappable?). Apple applied consistency: e.g. share sheets had a uniform icon grid, the keyboard was redesigned, and status bar icons changed (text for carrier, dots for signal instead of bars). The overall UX goal was to defer to content – e.g. Photos app emphasizes the photos themselves with edge-to-edge grids and whitespace. Ive described it as “an interface that is unobtrusive and deferential”. It was a bold risk, but after the initial shock, iOS 7’s look became accepted and even praised for removing dated elements.
• Key New Features:
  • Control Center: At long last, iOS got a quick-settings panel: Control Center. By swiping up from the bottom of the screen, you accessed toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, rotation lock, brightness slider, music controls, AirPlay, and shortcuts (Flashlight, Calculator, Camera, Timer). This was huge for usability – no more diving into Settings for every little change. Control Center had the translucent blur effect and was accessible from any app or lock screen (optionally). It immediately became a beloved feature (copying an Android strength but with Apple’s design touch).
  • AirDrop: iOS 7 introduced AirDrop on iPhone/iPad, a quick peer-to-peer file sharing feature (had existed on Mac). Now iOS users could share photos or other data directly to nearby iOS devices via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth with a tap – no need for email or texts for a quick share. The interface popped up nearby user avatars, making sharing almost fun. It was limited to iPhone 5 or later and recent iPads (because it needed newer Wi-Fi hardware). AirDrop was part of Apple’s strategy to differentiate iOS’s local ecosystem – and when it worked, it was magical (though early on, sometimes temperamental).
  • Multitasking Improvements: The app switching interface changed completely. Instead of an icon row, double-clicking Home now showed a card carousel of app screenshots you swipe through en.wikipedia.org. You could swipe up on a card to quit an app (no more tiny red minus buttons). It was not just prettier but also easier to manage multiple apps. iOS 7 also expanded background multitasking: any app could perform certain updates in background if usage patterns suggested (this was an API called Background Fetch). iOS thus intelligently updated content for apps before you open them (e.g. your Twitter feed might refresh automatically). This was Apple carefully loosening its strict background policy from iOS 4, but trying to maintain battery life by scheduling these background fetches smartly (e.g. when on power, on Wi-Fi, etc.).
  • iTunes Radio: As part of the Music app (and Apple’s services), iTunes Radio launched in iOS 7. It was a free (ad-supported) streaming radio service similar to Pandora, with curated stations and the ability to create stations from artists/genres. iTunes Radio was integrated into Music, which hinted at Apple’s entry into streaming (eventually Apple Music). It was U.S.-only at first. While not a core OS feature per se, it was significant for Apple’s ecosystem, and it worked across all iOS 7 devices and iTunes on Mac/PC.
  • Camera & Photos: Camera app gained live photo filters and a square photo mode to cater to Instagram-style shooting. It also allowed swiping between photo/video modes quickly. The Photos app got a big organizational overhaul: a new “Moments/Collections/Years” view automatically grouped photos by date and location metadata. Pinch gestures let you zoom out to see your year’s photos as tiny thumbnails – quite a visual treat. Also, iCloud Photo Sharing (the renaming of Shared Photo Streams) allowed commenting and video sharing now.
  • Safari: Safari in iOS 7 had a new fullscreen look (the chrome minimized as you scroll). A unified smart search bar (no separate Google bar) was introduced. Safari also finally lifted the 8-tab limit, allowing unlimited tabs, with a new 3D rolodex tab switcher view. iCloud Keychain debuted (if enabled, Safari could auto-fill passwords synced from your Mac).
  • Siri Updates: Siri in iOS 7 got a new flat interface and new voices – you could choose male or female, and voices sounded more natural. Siri also could do more: control toggles (“turn off Bluetooth”), read Wikipedia and web search results (integrated Bing search results since Google was not built-in for Siri), and integrated with Twitter (“what’s XYZ saying on Twitter?”). Siri’s responses became faster via optimized servers. Apple also opened Siri to third-party integration in a limited way via APIs for some car manufacturers (Eyes Free) and later app launch. The knowledge expansion was the main improvement.
  • App Store: Two key additions – automatic app updates (finally apps could update on their own in background – no more badge nagging you) and the Apps Near Me feature (showing popular apps based on your location). Also, a new Kids category and the ability to redeem gift cards via camera scan.
  • Activation Lock: A critical security feature – if Find My iPhone was enabled, iOS 7 now required your Apple ID/password to reactivate the device after a wipe. This meant a stolen iPhone couldn’t be wiped and reused; it was essentially locked to your account. This deterred iPhone theft significantly (thefts dropped in cities after Activation Lock’s introduction). It’s arguably one of iOS 7’s most important additions, even though it got less fanfare.
  • Misc.: FaceTime got a standalone app on iPhone (previously integrated in Phone) and FaceTime Audio (internet voice calls). The Clock icon became live (showing current time, a neat touch). The Weather app got dynamic backgrounds (animation for rain, etc.) courtesy of Yahoo data. Swipe-right-to-go-back gesture became common (in Mail, Safari, etc.). And Touch ID support: iOS 7 was built to support the new fingerprint sensor on iPhone 5s, integrating fingerprint unlocking and iTunes Store purchases – an early taste of biometric authentication’s convenience.
• Compatibility: iOS 7 supported iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, all iPad Minis, and iPod Touch 5th gen. It dropped iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 4th gen. Notably, iPhone 4 (2010) could run iOS 7, albeit slowly – many iPhone 4 users found iOS 7 taxing the A4 chip. Apple did optimize a bit in 7.1 to improve iPhone 4 performance, but it was still rough (iPhone 4 lacked things like blur effects for performance reasons). iPad 2 (2011) likewise supported iOS 7 and handled it okay given its A5 chip. iOS 7 was the first version that required a device with at least 512MB RAM (hence 3GS with 256MB was out). Adoption was huge: despite aesthetic shock, iOS 7 saw 200 million devices updated in first 5 days, which Apple said was “the fastest software upgrade in history”. By Dec 2013, iOS 7 was on ~78% of iOS devices (an extremely fast uptake). The redesign likely spurred many upgrades out of curiosity or just because Apple pushed it – and the OTA ease helped.
• Notable Bugs/Controversies:
  • User Backlash to Design: The initial response had some very negative feedback: people complained about hard-to-read thin fonts, motion sickness from parallax and zooms, and the childish look of icons. There were dramatic forum posts and even a few downgrades to iOS 6 (Apple stopped signing iOS 6 fairly quickly, though). Over time, Apple addressed some issues: e.g., Reduce Motion setting to disable parallax and flashy animations (added in 7.0.3), Increase Contrast/Bold Text settings for readability. By iOS 7.1 (March 2014), the UI was tweaked: fonts were emboldened slightly, the keyboard got an option for darker keys, and animations were shorter. These adjustments quieted most complaints. Still, iOS 7 represented a forced migration to a new style – some just never liked the new look but had little choice if they wanted security updates or new apps. Nevertheless, younger users and many others loved the fresh design, and today iOS 6 looks very dated by comparison, vindicating the change.
  • Bugs: As a .0 release, iOS 7 had its share: battery drain issues for some, a Lock screen bypass bug (you could exploit Control Center on lock screen to access photos – fixed quickly in 7.0.2), some Springboard crashes (blue screen reboots especially on iWork apps – fixed in 7.0.3). iMessage had a known bug where messages wouldn’t send – resolved in 7.0.3. By version 7.1, Apple had ironed out many rough edges and also introduced CarPlay support (in-vehicle iOS interface) en.wikipedia.org. There was also the infamous “white/black screen of death” bug (devices would reboot randomly) – iOS 7.1 fixed that, and Apple even publicly acknowledged it en.wikipedia.org. Touch ID early on had issues with fingerprint recognition degrading over time (addressed via software calibration in 7.1). Another controversy: iOS 7 on iPhone 4 was so slow that some argued Apple shouldn’t have supported it – but since they did, they pushed out 7.1 with significant performance boosts for iPhone 4 en.wikipedia.org.
• Adoption & Market Impact: Massive adoption – iOS 7’s free availability and OTA ease led to over 70% of eligible devices upgrading within 3 months (and 89% by mid-2014). That gave developers a mostly unified base on the new APIs and design, enabling the whole App Store to pivot to “flat” design quickly. Many apps overhauled their look to match iOS 7, resulting in a cleaner App Store overall. The impact of iOS 7’s design was felt beyond Apple – it influenced Google’s Material Design (2014) and Microsoft’s design directions; suddenly flat, thin, colorful UIs became the trend. In terms of features, Control Center and AirDrop filled long-standing gaps, improving user satisfaction. iOS 7 also laid groundwork for future tech: 64-bit support was introduced (with iPhone 5s, iOS 7 was the first 64-bit mobile OS), forcing devs to update apps for 64-bit – crucial for future devices. Touch ID’s seamless integration in iOS 7 made biometrics mainstream (people loved unlocking with a touch). Activation Lock in iOS 7 led to measurable drops in iPhone theft – the NYPD reported iPhone robberies fell significantly in 2014. All this strengthened the iPhone’s value prop. On the flip side, the radical changes may have alienated a few users (some older folks found the new icons confusing). But Apple bet on looking forward, not back – and it paid off as most grew accustomed to the new design, and it attracted fresh interest. The iPhone 5s launching with iOS 7 was a hit (introducing gold color and Touch ID), and even the lower-cost iPhone 5c (with its colorful plastic shells matching the vibrant iOS 7 aesthetic) was part of Apple’s attempt to broaden appeal. Financially, iOS 7’s timing saw Apple’s app ecosystem continue to thrive (App Store downloads and revenues climbing). By mid-2014, Apple announced 85 billion app downloads cumulatively – the clean redesign probably encouraged people to explore their “new” phone’s capabilities more.

Expert Commentary: “Polarizing” was the word for iOS 7 initially. TechCrunch’s headline: “iOS 7: Loving It, Hating It, and Why It’s a Step Forward”. Many reviewers, after a week or two, said the initial shock wore off and they could not go back – iOS 6 suddenly felt stale. The Verge noted that iOS 7 had “freshness and delight” but also “a few design inconsistencies” and predicted Apple would refine it (they did, in 7.1). Importantly, one Apple claim was proven: within days, more than 200 million devices were on iOS 7, which Apple crowed was “the fastest software upgrade in history”. This was backed by analytics data showing iOS 7 usage overtook iOS 6 quickly. Developers like Instapaper’s Marco Arment wrote “iOS 7 is a gigantic reset button for every third-party app… opportunity and risk abound”, acknowledging the work needed to adapt apps, but also the benefit of renewed user interest. The motion sickness complaints even got mainstream news coverage; Apple’s quick response with a fix was noted as positive. All said, iOS 7 is remembered as bold and transformative. It gave iOS a new lease on life aesthetically, and features like Control Center significantly caught iOS up with (and even surpassed) competitors in usability. Apple took a gamble in changing so much at once, but it cemented a design foundation that iOS still builds upon today.

iOS 8 (2014) – Opening the Gates: Extensions, Health, and Home

Release: September 17, 2014 (with iPhone 6/6 Plus). After the visual shake-up of iOS 7, iOS 8 focused on adding powerful features and more openness for both users and developers. Often called a “developer’s release,” iOS 8 introduced Extensibility (allowing apps to share features with each other), which brought things like third-party keyboards and widgets – things formerly only seen on Android. It also expanded Apple’s ecosystem with new apps (HealthKit/Health app, HomeKit for smart home, Apple’s Continuity features with Mac), and set the stage for the Apple Watch. iOS 8 had a bit of a rough start (a botched 8.0.1 update and some initial bugs), but after a few updates it became a very robust release that significantly increased what iOS devices could do.

• Key Features & Enhancements:
  • Extensibility (App Extensions): Perhaps the most impactful change: iOS 8 allowed apps to extend functionality into other apps in defined ways. This included:
    • Third-Party Keyboards: For the first time, users could install custom keyboards (e.g. Swype, SwiftKey) and use them system-wide. Apple’s own keyboard also added QuickType predictive text suggestions above keys, but opening to third parties was huge for those who wanted swipe typing or other input methods.
    • Share Extensions: Apps could offer themselves as targets in the Share sheet. For example, you could share a webpage directly to Pinterest or Evernote if those apps installed a share extension (no more copying link then opening another app).
    • Action Extensions: Apps could manipulate content from another app. E.g., a translation extension could translate selected text in Safari, or a photo editing extension could apply filters right within Photos app.
    • Today Widgets: Apps could create widgets in the Notification Center’s Today view. So you could have a Weather widget, or a Calendar widget, or sports scores, etc. – available with a quick pull-down. This effectively gave iOS something akin to Android’s home screen widgets, but tucked in NC.
    • Custom Share Actions: Developers could define custom actions for certain data (e.g., “Save to Dropbox” for a file).
    • Photo Editing Extensions: In Photos app, you could use editing tools from third-party apps without leaving Photos.
      This Extensibility required sandbox boundaries (user had to allow keyboard full access, etc.), but largely it worked seamlessly and was a boon to the iOS experience. It meant iOS was no longer a walled garden of isolated apps – they could interact in approved ways, dramatically improving workflows for users.
  • Continuity & Handoff: As part of integrating iOS and OS X (Yosemite) closer, iOS 8 enabled Continuity features for those with a Mac or iPad:
    • Handoff: You could start an activity on one device and continue on another. E.g., start composing an email on your iPhone, then sit at your Mac and a prompt appears to continue writing that email on the Mac’s Mail app. This worked with Mail, Safari, Pages, and third-party apps that implemented it. Also, you could handoff from iPhone to iPad, etc. It used Bluetooth LE to sense devices nearby.
    • Phone Call & SMS Relay: If your iPhone was on the same Wi-Fi, your Mac or iPad (running OS X Yosemite or iOS 8) could ring and allow you to answer phone calls through the iPhone – effectively using it as a speakerphone. Similarly, you could send and receive SMS texts on your Mac/iPad (not just iMessage) – the iPhone would forward them. This was enormously convenient; it made Apple’s multi-device ecosystem feel unified.
    • Instant Hotspot: If your Mac or iPad needed internet and your iPhone was nearby, it would show your iPhone’s hotspot in Wi-Fi list and allow quick tethering without fussing with settings on the phone.
      Continuity was a standout feature set that Samsung and others struggled to replicate as smoothly. It reinforced the value of owning multiple Apple devices.
  • HealthKit & Health app: iOS 8 debuted HealthKit, a framework to centralize health and fitness data from different apps/devices. Accompanying it was the Health app, which showed dashboards of your health stats (steps, heart rate, nutrition, sleep, etc.) and could serve as a repository for medical info (Medical ID) and emergency access. HealthKit allowed apps (with user permission) to share data with each other – e.g., a blood pressure app could write to HealthKit and a doctor’s app could read it. Apple was clearly preparing for Apple Watch and a deeper play into health, which indeed followed. HealthKit’s launch had a hiccup: a bug delayed compatible apps’ release at iOS 8 launch, but it was fixed in iOS 8.0.2.
  • HomeKit: Similarly, Apple introduced HomeKit – a framework for smart home devices (lights, locks, thermostats) to be controlled in iOS via Siri or apps. While there wasn’t a built-in Home app yet (that came later in iOS 10), HomeKit was significant. It provided a unified, secure pairing and control system for IoT devices. Over time, HomeKit grew, but early on it was more behind-the-scenes (third-party apps like Elgato’s Eve app or others were used to configure HomeKit gear). Still, iOS 8 laid the groundwork for Apple’s presence in the connected home arena.
  • Apple Pay (iOS 8.1): While not in 8.0 initial release, it’s worth noting: Apple Pay support rolled out in iOS 8.1 (Oct 2014) for iPhone 6/6 Plus (with NFC). iOS 8’s Wallet (then called Passbook) integrated credit cards (via camera scan or iTunes) which were tokenized for NFC payment. This was huge in bringing easy mobile payments mainstream in the U.S. Apple Pay also enabled in-app purchases API for devs. Though a late 8.x feature, Apple Pay’s introduction was a major iOS ecosystem milestone, arguably as significant as App Store or iMessage in changing user behavior.
  • Messages app Upgrades: iOS 8 made Messages more competitive with apps like WhatsApp. Key additions: Quick voice messages – you could record an audio snippet right in the conversation and send with a swipe. Video messages similarly. These auto-expired after 2 minutes by default (to save space), unless you chose to keep them. Also: group messaging improvements – you could name group chats, add/remove people, and leave a thread (finally). You could also share your location in a message thread (for an hour, day, or indefinitely). The attachment browser for a thread was new (view all pictures/files in the thread in one place). These features made iMessage far more robust and fun.
  • Interactive Notifications: Now you could pull down a notification banner and act on it – e.g., reply to an iMessage from the notification, accept a calendar invite, like a Facebook comment, etc. This made notifications actionable without switching apps, a big usability gain. On lock screen, notifications could be swiped for actions too.
  • QuickType & Predictive Keyboard: As noted, Apple’s keyboard got predictive suggestions that appear in a bar above keys, learning from your typing style (and adapting to different contacts, etc.). This sped up typing for many. If you didn’t like it, you could hide it. Also, Apple introduced an API for keyboard extensions so third-party keyboards could be installed (with user granting full access) – a historic concession on Apple’s part, long requested. Many keyboard apps hit the App Store (some great, some shaky – early on, there were issues like keyboards not appearing or getting stuck, which iOS 8.0.2 and 8.1 fixed).
  • Family Sharing: Up to 6 family members could now share iTunes/App Store purchases, iCloud storage, and find each other’s devices easily. A big part: Ask to Buy – kids could request an app, and the parent gets a notification to approve or deny. This system addressed a lot of parental control concerns (like kids racking up in-app purchases). Family Sharing also shared photo albums and calendars automatically among family, which was neat. It required all members to use the same credit card on file. This was a subtle but important services play – it locked families into Apple’s ecosystem collectively, making switching less likely and overall content purchases more valuable (no need to buy the same app twice).
  • iCloud Drive: Replacing the old iCloud Documents silo approach, iCloud Drive (with iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite) allowed a more Dropbox-like experience. Users could store files in iCloud Drive accessible from a new iCloud Drive app (on iOS 9) or the Finder on Mac, and apps could open files from each other’s domains (if user allowed). Essentially, Apple finally offered a user-visible file system for iCloud. On iOS 8, third-party apps could import/export from iCloud Drive via the Document Picker extension. This was part of Apple’s slow easing of file management on iOS, giving power users a bit more flexibility while still fairly sandboxed.
  • Camera and Photos: iOS 8’s Camera added time-lapse video recording and a self-timer. The Photos app got robust editing tools (like straightening, cropping, light/color adjustments) that were nondestructive. It also introduced iCloud Photo Library (beta) – an upgrade to Photo Stream where your entire photo library could sync across devices via iCloud (finally freeing users from device storage limits, if they paid for more iCloud storage). Eventually iCloud Photo Library fully launched and replaced Photo Stream.
  • Siri and Spotlight: Siri in iOS 8 could now identify songs using Shazam integration (“what song is playing?”) and purchase iTunes content. “Hey Siri” voice activation was introduced – but only when plugged into power (unless you had an iPhone 6s or later which could do it unplugged). Spotlight Search was broadened beyond local device: it could now search the web, Wikipedia, news, nearby places, iTunes Store, apps, etc. – essentially Apple’s answer to universal search without opening Safari.
  • Misc.: Battery usage by app – new Settings option to see which apps used most battery in last 24h/7d, very useful for troubleshooting. Tips app (gave usage tips periodically). Touch ID opened to third-party apps for authentication (e.g., banking apps could allow login via fingerprint) – a huge security/convenience win. And Metal API (a low-level graphics API for game developers) promised console-level 3D performance by bypassing OpenGL overhead – showcased in some games with much improved graphics.
• Compatibility: iOS 8 supported the same devices as iOS 7 except it dropped iPhone 4. So: iPhone 4s or later, iPod touch 5th gen, iPad 2 or later, iPad Mini or later. However, older devices (esp. iPhone 4s and iPad 2 with 512MB RAM) struggled. iPhone 4s running iOS 8 saw notable slowdowns and app crashes due to memory – many advised those users to stay on iOS 7. Apple did optimize somewhat in 8.1.1 for iPhone 4s/iPad 2, giving slight relief. But it was clear iOS was outgrowing those 2011-era specs. iOS 8 adoption started slower than iOS 7, likely because (a) many enterprise/iPad 2 users held off due to initial bugs, (b) iPhone 4 being cut off (some user base stuck on iOS 7). Apple also initially required a huge ~5GB free space to OTA update, which many 8GB/16GB device owners didn’t have – causing delays in upgrading (Apple fixed the storage demand in 8.1). By Dec 2014, iOS 8 adoption was ~64% (versus ~80% for iOS 7 in that timeframe). Eventually it got to 80%+ by early 2015 after updates resolved issues. This was a lesson: iOS 8’s initial rollout was rocky, which Apple addressed with faster 8.x updates.
• Notable Bugs/Controversies:
  • iOS 8.0.1 Fiasco: Apple pushed out iOS 8.0.1 one week after launch to fix some HealthKit and third-party keyboard bugs – but this update accidentally broke cellular service and Touch ID on iPhone 6/6 Plus for many. Essentially, users who updated couldn’t make calls and Touch ID stopped working. Apple pulled 8.0.1 within an hour, but tens of thousands were affected and had to downgrade to 8.0 or wait. Apple released 8.0.2 a day later fixing the issue. This very high-profile QA failure hurt Apple’s image; even though the problem was quickly resolved, it was a talking point for critics (“Apple is slipping”). Internally it likely spurred changes in their beta testing process.
  • “Bendgate”: Not directly iOS, but at iPhone 6 launch (concurrent with iOS 8), a viral controversy claimed the iPhone 6 Plus could bend in pockets. While only a handful of cases, #bendgate became a meme. Apple responded that it was rare and offered repairs if needed. Again, not iOS’s fault, but it colored the public narrative during iOS 8’s rollout.
  • Stability Issues: iOS 8.0 had numerous glitches: slow Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity for some, springboard crashes, etc. Many were fixed by 8.1. Also, some of the new extensions had early teething issues – e.g., third-party keyboards sometimes didn’t appear or reverted to default; widgets initially weren’t allowed certain functionality (Apple even pulled some widget apps that did too much, causing confusion about guidelines). A notable long bug: the “GMT bug” in Calendar (shifted events by time zones) affected many through iOS 8 and was only fully fixed in iOS 9. iOS 8.3 and 8.4 (in 2015) further stabilized everything (8.4 also introduced Apple Music, by the way).
  • Security: iOS 8 enabled full disk encryption by default without Apple having a key (as Apple announced, even they couldn’t bypass your passcode) – this drew praise from privacy advocates and some heat from law enforcement (foreshadowing the 2016 FBI-iPhone case). No major security incident at iOS 8 launch, but in 8.1.1 the jailbreak loophole was closed. Also, Freak and other OpenSSL bugs were patched in 8.2/8.3. One interesting hiccup: iCloud photo scandal (celeb accounts hacked via weak passwords) happened just before iOS 8, prompting Apple to beef up iCloud security and promote 2FA. iOS 8 itself added 2-step verification for iCloud device sign-ins.
• Adoption & Impact: After the initial slow uptake, iOS 8 eventually became the majority OS by early 2015. The features like extensions and continuity greatly enriched the iOS experience. Users enjoyed third-party keyboards and widgets – these became a selling point that Apple no longer lagged on. Family Sharing likely boosted App Store sales (families could justify purchases that multiple people could use). HealthKit positioned the iPhone (and upcoming Apple Watch in 2015) as a health/fitness hub, leading to numerous health accessories integrating with iOS. HomeKit, while slow to gain device support, signaled Apple’s seriousness in IoT – by iOS 10, HomeKit was big. Continuity gave Mac users more reason to stick with iPhone and vice versa, strengthening ecosystem lock-in. Apple Pay’s rollout, though separate from iOS 8 core, was facilitated by iOS 8’s Passbook and Touch ID integration – by end of 2015, Apple Pay was expanding, giving Apple a foothold in fintech. On the developer side, iOS 8 was huge: extensions opened countless new app possibilities (from custom photo filters usable in Photos app to new keyboards to better sharing between apps). Swift (Apple’s new programming language) was also introduced in 2014 (though Objective-C still in use) – by iOS 8, devs were starting to adopt Swift for iOS apps, shaping the future of app development. iOS 8’s rough start (esp. 8.0.1 bug) did bruise Apple’s “just works” reputation, which they tried to remedy by focusing on stability in iOS 9. But most consumers just remember that iOS kept getting more features that made their devices more useful. As proof: by iOS 8, even long-time Android users saw iOS adding things they cherished (custom keyboards, widgets, file picks) albeit in Apple’s controlled way – narrowing the feature gap considerably.

Expert Commentary: Many devs called iOS 8 “Apple’s most developer-friendly update ever.” Craig Federighi at WWDC 2014 said, “it’s the biggest release of iOS since the launch of the App Store”. Tech reviewers noted that average users might not notice a dramatic change from iOS 7’s look, but “under the hood, iOS 8 is a powerhouse of new capabilities”. The Verge described iOS 8 as “evolutionary” – polishing iOS 7’s design and adding depth with extensibility. Critics of Apple’s former closed approach praised the new openness: e.g. Engadget wrote, “Apple is loosening its grip in smart ways, making iOS more flexible without sacrificing security and simplicity.” The problematic 8.0.1 update was widely reported – even Apple apologized for the inconvenience (and reportedly improved internal testing processes). For Apple Pay, Time magazine said, “the most revolutionary part of the new iPhones might be Apple Pay”, highlighting how iOS and hardware combine to change commerce. By the end of iOS 8’s cycle, user satisfaction with iPhone was at record highs, suggesting that despite initial glitches, the richness of iOS 8 features resonated. All in all, iOS 8 greatly extended iOS’s functionality, setting a foundation that modern iOS still builds upon (the presence of widgets, custom keyboards, Home/Health, etc. all trace back to iOS 8).

iOS 9 (2015) – Performance, Polish, and Proactive Intelligence

Release: September 16, 2015 (with iPhone 6s/6s Plus). iOS 9 was largely about refinement and optimization, following the big changes of iOS 7 and feature add-ons of iOS 8. Apple explicitly marketed iOS 9 as focusing on stability, performance, and battery life, especially for older devices. It also continued to strengthen Siri and search with “Proactive” assistance, and brought significant enhancements to iPad multitasking. Notably, iOS 9 had the widest device support (back to 2011’s iPhone 4s) and managed to improve how those devices ran in many cases. Let’s break down iOS 9’s contributions.

• Focus on Performance & Stability: After some criticism of iOS 8’s bugginess, Apple’s engineering effort in iOS 9 included sweeping memory optimizations and bug fixes. App Thinning (App Slicing) debuted, meaning devices only download the code/resources they need from the App Store (e.g. no Retina @3x assets on non-retina phones), saving space and improving loading times. Metal API was used to accelerate core iOS (e.g. app switching, scrolling), making animations smoother and more efficient. Many users reported that iOS 9 ran faster or at least as fast as iOS 8, even on older hardware – which was a welcome change (iOS 9 supported iPhone 4s, iPad 2, etc., making them the first devices to see 5 major iOS versions). Apple also managed to shrink the iOS installer, requiring only ~1.3GB free to OTA update vs ~4.5GB for iOS 8, addressing a pain point for 8/16GB owners. Overall, iOS 9 was considered a much smoother launch than iOS 8.
• Battery Life Improvements: iOS 9 introduced a Low Power Mode toggle, which could extend battery by ~3 hours by throttling CPU, reducing brightness, disabling background fetch, etc. A new proactive suggestion would prompt you to enable it at 20% battery. This was a killer feature for many, effectively addressing battery anxiety on iPhones. Additionally, iOS 9 made various under-the-hood tweaks to eke out better battery usage (e.g. the screen would not light when face-down due to ambient light sensor usage).
• Proactive Siri & Search: Apple added “Proactive” features to make Siri and Spotlight smarter. Swiping right from home brought up a Siri Suggestions screen with frequently used contacts and apps, nearby places of interest, and news headlines. Siri could now look at your context – for example, if you get an unknown call, it might look in your emails and suggest who it might be (“Maybe: John Appleseed”). Or automatically add invitations from emails to calendar. In search, you could type things like “photos from June” or “email from Bob about project” – leveraging deep links and content within apps (if developers indexed it with the new CoreSpotlight API). Siri gained new knowledge domains (sports scores from more leagues, etc.) and could do things like “remind me about this” in Safari to create a reminder with a link to the current page. These moves were Apple’s answer to Google Now – keeping relevance while stressing privacy (all on-device indexing, anonymous queries). While not as ground-breaking as Google’s predictive cards, it made Siri/Search more useful day-to-day and opened the door to future AI improvements.
• Deep App Linking: With Universal Links and improved search indexing, iOS 9 made it possible for Spotlight to search within app content and take you directly into apps (bypassing web links). Also, if you had an app installed, tapping a link could open the app instead of Safari (if the developer set up universal links). This was significant for user experience and for Apple’s quiet battle to keep users in native apps vs the web.
• iPad Multitasking (big enhancements): iOS 9 was huge for iPads:
  • Slide Over: On iPad Air or later, you could swipe from the right to bring in a second app in a sidebar (e.g. quickly check Messages or Twitter).
  • Split View: On iPad Air 2, Mini 4, and later (with more RAM), you could run two apps side by side simultaneously, adjusting the space (half-half or one-third/two-third). This was true multitasking, first time on iPad, making it more productivity-friendly.
  • Picture-in-Picture: On iPad, videos (or FaceTime calls) could shrink to a corner window while you did other things.
    These features, long asked for, aligned with Apple’s push of iPad as a PC replacement (and preceded the iPad Pro launch in late 2015). It made iPads much more capable for work and multitasking, catching up to Microsoft’s Surface in capability. Developers had to adapt apps (enable auto-layout etc. to work in Split View), but most did. This was one of iOS 9’s headline items.
• New Apps / App Improvements:
  • News app: iOS 9 introduced Apple’s News app, aggregating articles in a magazine-like format from various publishers. It replaced Newsstand (which was removed) with a Flipboard-style curated experience plus personalized recommendations. It started in US/UK/Aus. Apple’s foray into news content would evolve (eventually Apple News+ paid service).
  • Notes overhaul: The Notes app got a big upgrade: you could now insert photos, sketches (with a drawing toolbar), checklists, and rich text. It basically went from a plain text app to a modern note-taker akin to Evernote (though simpler). iCloud syncing for Notes was improved too (requiring an iCloud upgrade which some earlier OS X couldn’t do – minor fuss there).
  • Maps – Transit: Apple Maps in iOS 9 finally added public transit directions in select cities, filling a major gap since Maps’ 2012 launch. It included subway, bus, train routes with integrated schedule info, initially in a couple dozen cities worldwide and expanding. Also, Maps added Nearby in search to quickly find categories (food, gas, etc.) – leveraging the Yelp integration more. These were welcome improvements and signaled Apple Maps maturing to cover more use cases (Transit was likely the top reason some stuck to Google Maps, so this was important).
  • Wallet & CarPlay: Passbook was renamed Wallet and added support for store credit cards and loyalty cards (with Apple Pay). CarPlay in iOS 9 got wireless support (if car systems implemented it) and the ability for car manufacturers’ apps to show on screen.
  • Misc: Keyboard on iPad got shortcut bar for cut/copy/paste and supported hardware keyboard shortcuts (command+tab app switcher, etc.) like a Mac, great for iPad productivity. The system keyboard also showed lowercase keys when not shift – small but helpful change. Battery settings now showed detail on screen-on vs background usage per app. And Apple reintroduced the San Francisco font (from Apple Watch) as the system font, replacing Helvetica Neue – improving legibility.
• Compatibility: iOS 9’s notable achievement: supporting every device that iOS 8 did, and improving performance on many. That meant iPhone 4s (2011), iPad 2 (2011), iPad mini 1 (2012), etc. were all included – making their fourth or fifth iOS generation. While not speedy, these older devices benefited from iOS 9’s focus on optimization; many users noted 4s and iPad 2 were actually a bit snappier on 9 than on 8. It gave those users an extra year of life (though iOS 9 was their last). iOS 9 adoption started very fast: over 50% in first month (helped by the smaller install size and perhaps goodwill from promising better performance). Apple said iOS 9 had the fastest adoption of any iOS up to that point. Indeed by Dec 2015 ~70% and by Jan 2016 ~75% were on iOS 9 – higher than iOS 8 at similar point. This likely also due to fewer bugs at launch.
• Notable Bugs/Issues: iOS 9’s release was relatively smooth, but not perfect. Some early bugs: e.g., on launch day, “Slide to Upgrade” could freeze for some updating from iOS 7 – Apple quickly posted a fix. There were some quirky bugs like the “1970 date” bug (setting device date to 1/1/1970 would brick 64-bit iPhones – very odd; fixed in 9.3). Also, an iMessage bug where a specific text string would crash phones (LOL, fixed in 8.4/9.0). Nothing catastrophic like iOS 8.0.1 though. iOS 9.0.1 and 9.0.2 came within a few weeks addressing minor issues like alarms failing, cellular data toggle issues, etc. Security: iOS 9 introduced “App Transport Security” requiring https connections by default (good for privacy, though devs could opt out initially). A significant security moment: the FBI vs Apple case in early 2016, where FBI wanted Apple to help unlock an iPhone 5c on iOS 9. Apple refused, citing security for all users. This public battle raised awareness of iOS encryption. (FBI eventually got in via a tool by a third party.) From a malware perspective, iOS 9 had the XcodeGhost incident – not a flaw in iOS per se, but a compromised Xcode on some Chinese devs’ machines led to a few hundred infected apps. Apple swiftly removed those apps and improved Xcode download integrity. iOS 9.3 in spring 2016 added new features like Night Shift (blue light filter) and secured Notes with Touch ID – showing Apple’s continued focus on both user wellness and security.
• Market Impact: iOS 9 solidified the platform after two big leaps. It reassured users that their older devices could still run the latest OS without severe slowdowns – building trust in updating (important for Apple’s security stance and ecosystem unity). The improvements in Siri and proactive suggestions indicated Apple’s strategy to stay relevant in AI without the privacy trade-offs, a stance which became part of their brand. iPad finally had a story for power users with multitasking – this, along with the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil in late 2015, started to revive iPad sales and gave Apple an entry into enterprise (with IBM and SAP partnerships, etc.). For developers, while iOS 9 wasn’t as game-changing as iOS 8, features like SFSafariViewController (to embed a Safari webview in apps securely) and Search APIs offered new avenues to increase app engagement. Swift language also hit v2 during iOS 9, maturing it for prime time – many apps started going Swift. Apple also expanded the App Store in iOS 9 with app thinning and better tools, smoothing user experience (smaller downloads) which likely increased willingness to try apps. On the user side, features like Low Power Mode and better battery gave iPhones an edge in real-world daily use – a factor often highlighted in reviews (“the 6s plus lasts even longer, and if you’re low, iOS 9’s Low Power Mode can get you through.”). All told, iOS 9 did what it set out to: “emphasize quality”, resulting in one of the more stable and refined iOS releases up to that point.

Expert Commentary: Many applauded Apple for the iOS 9 focus. ZDNet wrote, “iOS 9 may not have the big visual punch, but under the hood it’s exactly what iOS needed – a Snow Leopard moment”. Tech reviews of iPhone 6s/6s Plus often noted iOS 9’s strengths: e.g. The Verge said, “iOS 9 on the 6s is smooth and full of thoughtful touches… it makes the most polished smartphone experience even more solid.” Feature-wise, iPad’s Split View got high praise from productivity folks – “the iPad finally multitasks like a champ”, etc. There was some criticism that “Proactive Siri” wasn’t as smart or useful as Google Now, but acknowledgment that it was done in a privacy-respecting way. At WWDC15 when announcing iOS 9, Apple’s Craig Federighi put a tongue-in-cheek slide “No, we’re not tracking you” to contrast with Google’s approach – many in tech media appreciated Apple’s stance. After iOS 9’s release, by early 2016 the narrative in media was that Apple had bounced back on software quality. Fortune in Jan 2016 said, “iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan have restored much of Apple’s reputation for solid, reliable software after a couple of shaky years.” And indeed, iOS 9’s adoption (hitting ~85% by mid-2016) was testament to regained user confidence. In summary, iOS 9 didn’t revolutionize at a surface level, but it built a sturdier foundation and refined user experience, enabling Apple to then push forward with more ambitious changes in iOS 10 and beyond.

iOS 10 (2016) – Personalized, Playful, and Expanding the Ecosystem

Release: September 13, 2016 (with iPhone 7/7 Plus). iOS 10 was touted by Apple as the “biggest iOS release ever” (though they say that often). It brought a lot of user-facing enhancements, making the OS more expressive and customizable, especially in the communication realm. Major changes included a revamped Messages app with stickers and apps, a redone Lock Screen with rich notifications and widgets, and opening up more of iOS to developers (SiriKit, Map extensions, etc.). It also marked the removal of some skeuomorphic remnants (the slide-to-unlock gesture was replaced). iOS 10 continued the performance focus as well, with snappy transitions and some 3D Touch heavy use on newer phones. Let’s break down its highlights:

• Lock Screen and Notifications:
  • No “Slide to Unlock”: For the first time since 2007, iOS removed the iconic “slide to unlock” bar on the lock screen. With Touch ID widely adopted, iPhones now unlocked with pressing Home (and on iPhone 7, the solid-state Home button with Touch ID 2 was super fast). The lock screen instead became an interactive space: you could 3D Touch or swipe notifications to respond (similar to iOS 9’s quick reply but more extensive), and swipe right on lock screen to get the new Widgets screen, or left to go straight to Camera. This change took getting used to (people initially confused, swiping and nothing happened). But it allowed much more functionality without unlocking. Notifications in iOS 10 also got a new look – bubbly cards with expanded view and live data if using 3D Touch (or long-press on non-3D Touch devices). For example, a Messages notification could be deep-pressed to open a live conversation view with full iMessage features right on the lock screen. Notifications became rich notifications. They also grouped by thread neatly. This was a huge usability boost and laid groundwork for even more interactive notifications later.
  • Widgets & Today View: Swiping right on the lock screen (or from first home screen) brought up the Today View with Widgets. In iOS 10, Apple redesigned widgets to have a unified blur-background card style, more content, and be accessible from lock without unlocking (unless the widget needed access to data, then it would prompt). Control Center also got a redesign, split into multiple panels (main controls on first swipe, music controls on second, and HomeKit if enabled on third). This multi-panel CC was a bit controversial (some thought it clunky), but it was Apple’s way to fit more controls.
• Messages App Overhaul: Apple went big on making Messages fun and central:
  • iMessage Apps & Stickers: iOS 10 opened Messages to an iMessage App Store. You could install sticker packs, games, utility apps that run inside Messages. People could peel and stick stickers onto message bubbles, or play mini-games like tic-tac-toe. There were also apps for sharing content (GIF search, payments, etc.) right within the conversation. This turned iMessage into a platform akin to WeChat or FB Messenger in capability. It was a bold move to keep users engaged in Apple’s messaging ecosystem.
  • Rich Effects: Apple added bubble effects (slam, loud, gentle, invisible ink) to animate how your text bubble appears. Also full-screen effects like balloons, confetti, lasers that take over the screen for celebratory messages. They even integrated these with keywords (typing “Happy Birthday” auto-sent balloons). Invisible ink was an interesting privacy gimmick (message is scrambled until tapped).
  • Emoji Enhancements: Emoji got 3x bigger when sent solo. And Messages could auto-suggest emoji replacements – highlight words that have equivalent emoji so you can tap to emoji-fy them. With iOS 10, Apple also introduced new emoji and redesigns (including more diverse options).
  • Digital Touch & Handwriting: Borrowed from Apple Watch, you could send sketch drawings, heartbeats, taps, etc., from within Messages. Also you could rotate to landscape and send handwritten messages that animate as ink flowing to the recipient.
    Collectively, these features made iMessage lively and expressive, catching up to or surpassing other chat apps in personalization. It clearly targeted younger users and heavy messenger users, making iOS “stickier.” Indeed, after iOS 10, iMessage usage spiked and some sticker packs became hits.
• Removing Default Apps: At last, iOS 10 allowed users to “remove” most of Apple’s built-in apps (like Stocks, Weather, Mail, etc.) from the home screen. Technically they weren’t fully deleted (just user data and icon removed), and could be re-downloaded from App Store. But symbolically, this was Apple acknowledging user choice (or at least decluttering for those who used alternatives). It addressed a long-standing complaint about “Apple’s junk apps.”
• SiriKit and More Siri:
  • Siri for Developers: iOS 10’s SiriKit finally opened Siri to third-party apps, albeit limited to certain domains initially (messaging, VoIP calling, ride booking, workouts, payments, photo search). This meant you could ask Siri to send a WhatsApp message, call an Uber, or send a payment via Square Cash, etc., and Siri would interact with that app. This was a significant expansion of Siri’s utility (no longer just Apple’s apps). Though constrained, Apple gradually expanded domains in later iOS.
  • Siri also gained new intelligence powering other features: e.g., using Siri intelligence for the QuickType keyboard (suggesting calendar events or current location when someone asks “where are you?”), and better context awareness. But the big story was SiriKit, bringing it closer to Alexa/Assistant’s extensibility.
• Photos App – Memories & AI: iOS 10 introduced Memories in Photos. The app could automatically group photos into events/trips and generate mini-movies with transitions and music. It used on-device machine learning to cluster people and scenes. Speaking of ML, Advanced computer vision let Photos do object and scenery recognition (e.g., search your photos for “dog” or “beach” and it finds matches) – all done locally, preserving privacy as Apple emphasized. There was also a People album with face recognition (revamped from iPhoto days, again on-device). These features were Apple catching up to Google Photos in helpful organization, but with privacy. It made the Photos app much more powerful for rediscovering past moments.
• Maps Improvements and Extensions: Apple Maps in iOS 10 got a redesign (cleaner UI, traffic on route, quicker access to destinations). It also opened to third-party integrations via Maps Extensions – e.g. you could book a restaurant in Maps via OpenTable, or get a ride via Uber, without leaving Maps. This “extensions” model was like iMessage and Siri – making Maps a platform. Directions became more proactive (suggesting routes based on routine). These improvements continued to recover Apple Maps’ reputation.
• Home App for HomeKit: iOS 10 finally introduced a built-in Home app to unify controlling HomeKit devices. You could organize accessories by room, create scenes (multiple devices triggered together), and control via Siri. This coincided with more HomeKit accessories coming to market. It established HomeKit as a full consumer-facing feature, and the Home app made it far easier for average users to actually use the smart devices (previously needed third-party apps).
• Phone and Voicemail: The Phone app could now transcribe voicemails (beta). Also, thanks to CallKit (new framework), incoming VoIP calls from apps (Skype, WhatsApp, etc.) could appear on the lock screen just like regular calls. And importantly, iOS 10 added a spam call identification API, enabling apps like Hiya or Truecaller to show “Scam Likely” for spam calls – a welcome addition in era of robocalls.
• Misc.: Apple Music app got a major redesign after criticism of its initial layout – iOS 10’s Music was more intuitive with big bold headings, better navigation. Apple News got a refresh and introduced subscriptions in News. 3D Touch became more useful: e.g., deep press on an app like Weather to see a widget snapshot, or on an iMessage convo to preview it – Apple extended 3D Touch to many system interactions. Also, a cute one: the Wake Alarm in Clock, with sleep analysis, encouraging good sleep habits (and a new analog-ish UI). Overall polish: iOS 10 felt a bit less restrained, more “fun” – lots of animations and playful UI in Messages, etc., showing Apple loosening up from its overly serious image.
• Compatibility & Performance: iOS 10 dropped support for the oldest 32-bit devices: iPhone 4s, iPad 2/3, iPad Mini 1, and iPod touch 5th-gen stayed on iOS 9. So 2012 and earlier were out. This was expected as Apple moved toward 64-bit only. Supported: iPhone 5 and up, iPad 4 and up, iPad mini 2 and up. Even with drop, iOS 10 still supported devices up to 4 years old (iPhone 5). Performance on compatible devices was generally good – iOS 10 was about as fast as 9, sometimes faster due to new Apple File System (APFS) which came in 10.3 improving storage speed. One thing: iOS 10 signaled the eventual end of 32-bit app support – it warned when you opened a legacy 32-bit app (“may slow down your iPhone”) and in early 2017 Apple said next iOS wouldn’t support them (and indeed iOS 11 was 64-bit only). So iOS 10 was a transitional period to modernize the app ecosystem. Adoption was again quick: ~66% by end of 2016, reaching 79% by January 2017 and ~87% by summer 2017, in line with previous uptake rates.
• Notable Bugs/Issues: The rollout was mostly smooth. There was a brief hiccup on launch where some OTA updates failed and needed iTunes, but Apple fixed servers quickly. iOS 10.0.2 came within 2 weeks to fix small issues like headphone remote not working (the new Lightning EarPods had a bug) and some Photos crash. iOS 10.1 brought Portrait mode for iPhone 7 Plus dual camera. iOS 10.2 added new emoji and the TV app (replacing Videos app in US). One controversial moment: iOS 10.3 introduced AFPS and also a subtle change where “rate app” prompts could be limited and reviews could be reset by developers – some developer and user drama around App Store reviews, but Apple set new policies to curb incessant prompts. Security: a few exploits, but nothing widespread – Pangu team did demo jailbreaks, Apple patched in updates. The transition to APFS was potentially risky but went incredibly smooth for almost everyone (no data loss widely reported). Overall, iOS 10 had a stable lifecycle.
• Market/Community Impact: iOS 10’s emphasis on expression (Messages) and convenience (Siri, Maps apps, HomeKit mainstreaming) was well-targeted. iMessage apps created a mini-economy of sticker packs and fun add-ons – even Nintendo released a Mario sticker pack at launch. iOS 10 likely contributed to even higher iPhone engagement; metrics from carriers and Apple indicated people were sending more iMessages and using Siri more. Opening Siri and Maps, and offering CallKit, brought developers closer – for instance, Uber integrating into Maps might keep users on iOS vs Android. The Home app made HomeKit a selling point for new home automation buyers (tilting them to Apple’s ecosystem rather than Amazon Alexa perhaps). By the end of iOS 10, Apple also removed the remaining barrier of 32-bit apps by preparing their phase-out, cleaning the App Store of outdated apps (which they did purge thousands). From a competitive view, Apple was catching up or surpassing in many areas: e.g., iMessage with apps and effects arguably leapfrogged plain SMS and Google’s messaging efforts. Siri opening up was necessary given Alexa’s rise; while Siri wasn’t yet best-in-class, these moves kept it in the race. Business-wise, services like Apple Music (with improved app) and the new TV app (aggregating video sources) showed Apple’s growing focus on services integration in iOS to spur revenue beyond devices. iOS 10 also coincided with Apple’s push in machine learning – the fact that it did face recognition and object detection on-device was a bragging point, differentiating Apple’s approach to AI from cloud-heavy approaches (which Apple continued in iOS 11/12 with CoreML, etc.).

Expert Commentary: Mashable called iOS 10 “the most playful and personal iOS yet”, highlighting the fun in Messages and stickers. The Verge said “iOS 10 is where your phone becomes a little less about you and a lot more about your relationships”, referring to the communications focus. Many reviews loved the new iMessage features (though some found them gimmicky). There was consensus that lock screen improvements and notifications were a big win. Walt Mossberg noted in late 2016 that “iOS 10 and Google’s Android N are neck-and-neck in features, but Apple’s integration of hardware-software gives it a slight edge in polish.” The removal of default apps was widely praised as Apple listening to users. On the downside, some lamented the complicated Control Center pages or felt Apple Music’s second redesign in 2 years showed it still hadn’t nailed services UI. Security commentators were divided on how useful differential privacy (which Apple introduced in iOS 10 to gather usage data without personal identification) would be, but applauded Apple’s general privacy stance. Developers were enthused by new frameworks: one wrote “with SiriKit, CallKit, Intents, iOS 10 feels like iOS is finally becoming a connected, extensible platform rather than a closed box.” Bottom line, iOS 10 was seen as a feature-packed, user-friendly update that kept iOS fresh and fun – setting the stage for Apple’s forays into augmented reality and beyond in upcoming versions.

iOS 11 (2017) – An iPad Renaissance and a New App Store

Release: September 19, 2017 (with iPhone 8/8 Plus and iPhone X). iOS 11 is remembered for two big things: dramatically empowering the iPad with desktop-like features, and introducing a completely redesigned App Store app. It also marked the final shift to 64-bit – iOS 11 dropped support for all 32-bit devices and apps, ending the legacy era. There were many notable tweaks: new Control Center design, ARKit’s debut, and on iPhone X, new gestures replacing the home button. iOS 11 had an ambitious scope, especially on iPad, but it struggled initially with bugs and performance issues (leading to Apple’s quality focus in iOS 12). Let’s delve into the specifics:

• iPad: Desktop-Class Features: iOS 11 was arguably “iOS for iPad” as much as anything. Key enhancements:
  • Files App: A new Files app provided a centralized file manager on iPad and iPhone. It integrated iCloud Drive and third-party cloud services (Dropbox, etc.) in one place, with proper folder structures, tags, recent files, and a search. This was a big step toward Mac-like usage, addressing the need for real file management on iPad. On iPhone it was still useful, but on iPad it really shined as a productivity boost.
  • Dock & Multitasking: iPad got a persistent Dock like macOS – accessible within apps by swiping up from bottom. It could hold many apps and even show recent apps. Multitasking became drag-and-drop: drag an app out of Dock to open it as Slide Over or drop it to left/right for Split View (improvements over iOS 10’s somewhat hidden gestures). Also, you could now have multiple apps in Slide Over that you can swipe through. Perhaps most laptop-like: a new App Switcher that combined the spaces of Split View apps with the Control Center on one screen (like Mission Control on Mac). This whole paradigm felt much more natural and powerful for iPad users.
  • Drag and Drop: iOS 11 enabled true drag-and-drop of content between apps on iPad. You could drag text, photos, files, URLs, etc., with multi-touch allowing picking multiple items, and drop into another app’s content area (e.g., drag a photo from Photos into an email). This was system-wide and developers could customize how their app accepts/exposes data. It was a game-changer for workflows like research, note-taking, creative projects. Some even say iPad’s implementation was better than desktop as you could use multiple fingers to collect items.
    Combined, these features (Files, Dock, new multitasking, drag-and-drop) truly made iPad a contender for real work. Reviews described iPad with iOS 11 as finally fulfilling “post-PC” potential (especially on iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard).
• App Store Redesign: For the first time since launch in 2008, the App Store got a complete overhaul in iOS 11. It introduced a Today tab with editorial content – daily feature stories, app of the day, game of the day, how-tos – highlighting apps in a more curated, magazine-like way. Games got its own tab separate from Apps, reflecting games’ dominance. The whole UI used big cards, rich imagery, and continuous scroll instead of lists. Apple’s goal was to improve app discoverability and tell stories behind apps (with their new editorial team). It also allowed in-app purchases to be displayed on product pages for the first time, and more review visibility. This redesign was significant for developers; some saw boosts in being featured, etc. It signaled Apple’s commitment to the App Store as not just a storefront but a content platform. Initial response was positive – users liked the more engaging approach, though some longed for the old simple lists. Over time, this design proved effective: Apple noted increased visits to App Store and downloads. It’s a cornerstone of App Store now.
• Control Center & Notifications: iOS 11 unified Control Center into a single page again, but now customizable. Users could add controls like Apple TV remote, Notes shortcut, Screen Recording (a new feature to record screen to a video), etc. It used 3D Touch for expanded controls (e.g., deep press brightness for Night Shift toggle). The look (bubbly toggles on one page) was polarizing at first, but functional. Notifications also changed: on lock screen, all notifications were shown if you pulled up “Earlier Notifications” (basically combining Notification Center with lock screen, which confused some at first). Later iOS 12 would refine this.
• ARKit & Core ML: iOS 11 introduced ARKit 1.0, making iPhones and iPads leading augmented reality devices by giving developers a high-level framework for tracking motion and plane detection. This meant a flood of AR apps: games, measurement tools, etc., leveraging hardware (especially A9+ chips) to overlay digital content on real world. It set Apple up as a major AR platform ahead of many competitors. Apple showed off AR Minecraft and other demos; thousands of AR apps hit the Store soon after launch. Similarly, Core ML provided on-device machine learning capabilities for apps (with pre-trained models), allowing devs to add features like image recognition, text prediction, without sending data to server. Both ARKit and Core ML signaled Apple’s strategy to push heavy new technologies while keeping user data on device.
• Siri and Voice: Siri got new more natural voices (using deep learning, clearer human-like intonation). Also, Siri became bilingual in a way – could translate phrases to a few languages (English to Spanish, etc.) as a built-in feature. SiriKit expanded to more domains (like task management, banking). Siri also began leveraging on-device learning to sync context across devices – e.g., if you read a news topic on Safari, Siri on another device might use that knowledge. Apple heavily pushed the idea of Siri as not just a voice assistant but an intelligent companion integrated with iOS (Siri Suggestions in search, etc. got smarter). Still, Siri in 2017 was often criticized as behind Alexa/Assistant. The improvements in voice quality and translation were welcome but not game-changers.
• Apple Pay & Messages: iOS 11.2 later introduced Apple Pay Cash (person-to-person payments via iMessage) in the US. But in base iOS 11, the groundwork was laid in the Wallet and Messages app for that. Also, Messages got a minor tweak: app drawer for iMessage apps was made more obvious (since usage in iOS 10 was not high, Apple tried to boost visibility with a scrollable app bar).
• Do Not Disturb While Driving: A much-praised safety feature: when enabled, DND While Driving auto-activated when it detected you moving in a car (via Bluetooth or motion). It silenced notifications and could auto-reply to texts with “I’m driving”. This addressed texting-while-driving problems. It’s one of those socially responsible features that likely prevented accidents – and showed Apple’s user-centric design.
• File Formats (HEIF/HEVC): iOS 11 on newer devices (A10+ for video) moved to HEIF image and HEVC video formats by default, drastically reducing file sizes with similar quality. It was mostly seamless for users (the system would convert when sharing to incompatible devices). This helped mitigate storage issues as cameras improved.
• Other improvements: The volume HUD no longer blocked the screen (small thing: it moved out of the way when watching videos). The keyboard on iPad got a flick gesture per key for numbers/punctuation (faster typing). Notes app gained document scanning (auto detect paper edges via camera) and inline drawing. Maps got indoor maps for malls/airports and lane guidance for driving. HomeKit got support for speakers (AirPlay 2 multi-room, albeit AirPlay 2 was delayed to iOS 11.4) and a new AirPlay 2 protocol for multi-room audio. A minor fiasco: the iOS 11.1 keyboard bug that autocorrected “I” to a weird symbol – quickly patched, but memed on internet. iOS 11.3 later brought Battery Health (after the battery throttling controversy that emerged in late 2017; Apple responded with transparency and toggle to disable throttling). Also 11.3 introduced Business Chat for Messages (talk to businesses) and Health Records integration. iOS 11.4 finally delivered AirPlay 2 and Messages in iCloud (syncing messages across devices fully). These point updates were quite substantial.
• Stability and Performance: iOS 11 was rough at first. Many users reported more bugs than usual – crashes, interface glitches (like Calculator app lag that caused wrong results when tapping quickly – fixed in 11.2), battery drain issues. The new features (esp. on iPad) also came with steep learning curves. iOS 11.0 also had some weird bugs like “Cannot” autocorrect to “can’t” bug, the I->A [?] bug mentioned, and springboard crashes due to date notifications (the infamous 12/2 date crash, fixed in 11.2). All this gave iOS 11 a bit of a reputation as a problematic release. Apple seemed to realize this; indeed, in early 2018 news broke they’d focus on stability for iOS 12 rather than pushing tons of new features. By iOS 11.2.5+ things stabilized significantly, but some older devices (like iPhone 6/6s) felt slower on iOS 11 than iOS 10 (the 3D Touch lag being one example which got fixed later). Also, iOS 11 dropping 32-bit support meant some users lost access to apps that were never updated to 64-bit – a necessary cut but disruptive for those reliant on old apps (this was telegraphed in iOS 10, but still notable). Adoption of iOS 11 was slightly slower than iOS 10, likely due to initial quality issues and people hesitating. By January 2018 it hit ~65% (iOS 10 was ~76% same time previous year). It eventually reached ~85% by fall 2018 as iOS 12 launched.
• Market Impact: iOS 11’s heavy iPad focus, paired with new iPad Pros, helped Apple continue positioning iPad as a PC alternative. Many creative and enterprise users appreciated the new capabilities (leading to increased iPad usage and perhaps stemming decline in tablet sales). ARKit made Apple the largest AR platform overnight (hundreds of millions of ARKit-capable devices). That attracted developers and businesses to experiment with AR on iOS first (e.g., IKEA’s furniture placement app). This could be laying groundwork for future Apple AR glasses by getting devs onboard early. The App Store redesign significantly improved app discovery according to subsequent reports, and importantly, it helped Apple increase App Store revenue (which grew strongly, partly from better featuring of games and subscription apps in the new store). By making app discovery more editorial, Apple also gained more influence – their App of the Day picks could make or break an app’s success, giving Apple a bit of a role akin to a publisher in the ecosystem. iOS 11’s focus on machine learning and privacy (Core ML on device) also set Apple apart from Google’s cloud approach, appealing to privacy-conscious users and enterprise clients. However, the rocky rollout of iOS 11 gave ammunition to critics that Apple was sacrificing quality for speed. Apple directly addressed that narrative by using WWDC 2018 to emphasize how much faster and stable iOS 12 would be on all devices. So iOS 11 could be seen as a turning point where Apple realized it needed to balance innovation with refinement more carefully.

Expert Commentary: Initial reviews of iOS 11 praised the iPad changes heavily: “This is the iPad’s iOS X moment” (making analogy to Mac OS X in bringing sophistication). TechCrunch wrote “iOS 11 makes iPad a completely different machine – in a good way.” The App Store redesign was also lauded: “the App Store finally feels fun to browse again” (The Verge) and Apple’s editorial commitment was noted as unique among platform holders. Conversely, the flood of iOS 11 bugs drew media attention. Forbes ran multiple pieces during iOS 11’s early months warning of various bugs or urging waiting for updates. The “iOS 11 keyboard bug” and others trended on social media – a bit embarrassing for Apple’s QA. By late 2017, even mainstream outlets like CNBC said “Apple’s software quality issues are a black eye on the iPhone’s legacy,” referencing iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra bugs and the battery throttling fiasco discovered in 11.2. Apple responded by apologizing for the battery issue and offering cheap battery replacements, and promised more reliability going forward. So while iOS 11 advanced iOS in big ways (especially for iPad and AR), it also served as a learning lesson for Apple to slow down and double down on performance with iOS 12 – which they did.

iOS 12 (2018) – Performance and Polishing the Foundation

Release: September 17, 2018 (with iPhone XS/XS Max and XR). After the ambitious but buggy iOS 11, iOS 12 was aimed squarely at improving performance, stability, and quality, especially on older devices. Apple explicitly stated that devices as old as 2013’s iPhone 5s would see speed improvements. That doesn’t mean iOS 12 lacked new features – it brought notable additions like Screen Time for digital health, Siri Shortcuts, Memoji, Grouped Notifications, and more. But the overarching theme was refinement and optimization. This strategy paid off: iOS 12 was regarded as one of Apple’s most solid releases, extending device longevity and recovering user trust lost in iOS 11’s cycle.

• Performance Boost (especially on older devices): Apple reworked iOS scheduling and other aspects so that under load, CPU speeds ramped up faster (then scaled down to preserve battery), making UI interactions snappier. In WWDC demos, they showed an iPhone 6 Plus launching apps up to 40% faster, keyboard 50% faster, camera 70% faster opening. In real world, older iPhones on iOS 12 indeed felt peppier than on iOS 11, which is rare for an update. For example, iPhone 5s users reported a noticeable reduction in lag. This focus on optimizing for the lowest supported device (5s/6) made everyone’s experience smoother. Memory management improvements also meant fewer app and Safari tab reloads. Essentially, Apple did a “Snow Leopard” style tune-up as promised. This focus might have limited huge new feature count, but it extended the life of millions of devices and likely encouraged more people to update (knowing it wouldn’t slow their phone, but maybe speed it up!).
• Stability & Bug Fixes: iOS 12 had far fewer high-profile bugs than iOS 11. It still had a couple (like a weird “1201 AM 1/1/1970” notification bug in December 2018 causing crashes, ironically another date bug fixed in 12.1.2, and the FaceTime eavesdropping bug in 12.1 that forced Apple to temporarily disable Group FaceTime until 12.1.4 fix), but overall it was well-regarded as solid. Apple also used iOS 12 to implement better testing? They ran a public beta from June to September that a record number of users installed, helping catch issues. As a result, iOS 12.0’s launch was smooth for most.
• Grouped Notifications: iOS 12 tackled notification overload by grouping notifications by app/thread on the lock screen. This ended the long list of single notifications to scroll through. Now you’d see a stack (e.g. “5 Messages from Mom” and tapping it expands the group). This was a top requested feature (Android had it). It made notifications management so much better. They also added “Instant Tuning”: from a notification, you can 3D Touch to quickly adjust that app’s notification behavior (deliver quietly or turn off) without digging in settings. These changes allowed users to reclaim focus and reduce unwanted interruptions.
• Screen Time: In iOS 12, Apple addressed smartphone addiction concerns by introducing Screen Time, a feature to track and control device usage. It provides weekly reports of how much time you spend in each app/category, how often you pick up the phone, etc. More importantly, it lets you set App Limits (e.g. max 1 hour per day on social networking apps) and Downtime (a scheduled time, like at night, when only certain apps or calls are allowed). Parents can manage these settings for kids’ devices via Family Sharing. This was Apple acknowledging digital wellbeing concerns and offering tools to help. Many users were surprised by their usage stats, and some used limits to curb usage. While determined users can bypass limits, it’s a good nudge system. This also put Apple ahead of Android at the time (Google introduced Digital Wellbeing later).
• Siri Shortcuts: To enhance Siri without an AI breakthrough, Apple leaned into customization: Siri Shortcuts. Via a new Shortcuts app (building on the Workflow automation app Apple acquired), users or apps can create custom Siri voice commands to perform actions. For example, a Tile tracker app could suggest a Siri phrase “find my keys” that when invoked, runs the shortcut to ring your Tile. Or a user can create a multi-step shortcut (like, “Hey Siri, I’m heading home” could send ETAs, set thermostat, play a favorite playlist, all in one go). Apps expose “donations” to Siri – common tasks that appear in Settings for assignment to a phrase or in the Shortcuts app for building automation. This effectively opened Siri to any app’s specific functions (not full conversation, but quick actions). It also gave power users an incredibly versatile automation tool (Shortcuts app is essentially Automator for iOS). Siri Shortcuts significantly expanded Siri’s utility and integrated machine learning suggestions (Siri would suggest useful shortcuts on lock screen or search based on usage patterns). While setting up custom shortcuts was a niche power feature, many benefitted from simple ones apps provided (like “view my Amazon order”).
• ARKit 2 and Measure: Apple doubled down on AR. ARKit 2 added features like shared experiences (multi-user AR, so two people could see the same virtual scene from their devices), better 3D object detection, and persistence (place AR objects that remain anchored between sessions). Apple showcased this with a multi-user Lego game. They also introduced a built-in Measure app using AR to measure real-world objects by dragging a line – a handy utility that gave everyone a taste of AR’s practicality.
• Memoji and Camera effects: Building on Animoji from iPhone X, iOS 12 on new devices introduced Memoji – personalized Animoji avatars you can create to look like you (or whoever). It’s Apple’s answer to Snapchat’s Bitmoji, but animated with face tracking. These became quite popular, letting users record messages as their cartoon self. Also, Messages and FaceTime got fun camera effects – stickers, filters, Animoji overlays in realtime – clearly targeting the Snapchat generation to use iMessage for that. Group FaceTime was announced for iOS 12 (video chat up to 32 people with dynamic tile sizing), but it actually launched late in 12.1 and had an infamous eavesdropping bug promptly fixed in 12.1.4. Once fixed, Group FaceTime was a nice addition for Apple’s ecosystem (especially with COVID later making video calls vital).
• Privacy enhancements: Apple continued its privacy push – in Safari, iOS 12 added enhanced Intelligent Tracking Prevention to block social media “Like” or comment widgets from tracking cross-site without permission. Safari also started showing a warning when loading HTTP (not HTTPS) pages. And there were new restrictions on apps: e.g., an app in background can’t access microphone or camera without a clear indicator. Also, iOS 12 added a feature to automatically share limited location with emergency services when you call 911 in US, to improve response (privacy-preserving and only for emergencies).
• App Updates: Stocks app got revamped design and added Apple News integration (top business stories). Voice Memos got an iPad version and iCloud syncing. iBooks was renamed Apple Books with a redesign, prepping it to possibly compete with Kindle (and maybe for forthcoming services push). CarPlay gained ability to use third-party navigation apps (finally allowing Google Maps/Waze in your car’s CarPlay). These quality-of-life improvements were sprinkled throughout.
• Device support: iOS 12 impressively supported all the same devices as iOS 11, including iPhone 5s (2013) and iPad Air (2013) – an unprecedented second year without drops. And on those devices it actually ran better than iOS 11. This move to focus on optimizations extended the lifespan of 5s, 6, etc., by another year – generating goodwill among users (and perhaps deferring some upgrades, but Apple likely bet that pleased users stay in ecosystem). Adoption was strong: iOS 12 hit about 70% by January 2019 – faster than iOS 11 had – and ultimately over 80% by mid-2019. People saw it as a “must install” because of speedups.
• Notable issues: iOS 12’s launch was relatively smooth (especially compared to 11). There were a couple quirks: iPhone XS had a “Chargegate” where it wouldn’t start charging if plugged in while screen off – fixed in 12.0.1. The Group FaceTime bug in 12.1 was the biggest security flaw, quickly addressed by disabling the feature server-side until patch. There was also an odd Screen Time reporting bug for some, and some minor Wi-Fi/Bluetooth toggling confusion. But nothing widespread or showstopper. By focusing on existing features, Apple delivered one of the most stable .0 releases. iOS 12.1 did add some features (Dual SIM support for XR/XS, new emoji, Group FaceTime – then fixed as mentioned). iOS 12.2 brought Apple News+ subscription service integration and a few Animoji. iOS 12.3 prepared for Apple’s new TV app Channels and TV+ service later. Throughout, the updates were more about services & minor additions – the core OS was solid, no need for urgent fire-fighting.

Market Impact: iOS 12 restored a lot of faith. Enterprises that held off on iOS 11 due to bugs moved to iOS 12 swiftly given its stability and performance. Extending support to older devices meant hundreds of millions of users got an extra year of updates – boosting Apple’s narrative that iPhones last longer (a counter to the battery controversy). The Screen Time and Siri Shortcuts features strengthened Apple’s ecosystem differentiation: Screen Time appeal to families and schools; Shortcuts appeal to power users and even increased Siri usage (there’s evidence Siri fielded more requests, albeit many were those custom shortcuts). Group FaceTime gave Apple parity in group video chat (something WhatsApp, etc., later also introduced). ARKit 2 kept Apple ahead in mobile AR – by now, iOS had a huge AR install base advantage. Additionally, iOS 12 (and the new iPhone XR/XS) introduced Face ID refinements and multi-face support, making the transition away from Touch ID even more complete. The strategy to not drop old devices but still improve them built goodwill and likely kept those users on iOS until they could upgrade to a newer iPhone – rather than being frustrated and potentially switching to another platform. Apple’s emphasis on privacy in things like Safari and intelligent tracking protection also elevated public discourse on digital privacy, adding pressure on rivals to follow suit.

Expert Commentary: iOS 12 reviews were kind of unexciting in a good way: “It’s not flashy, it just makes your iPhone work better.” The Verge’s headline: “iOS 12 review: something for everyone”, praising performance on old phones and Screen Time, while noting that features like Memoji are fun but not revolutionary. John Gruber wrote “iOS 12 is the ‘no new features’ release we needed – and it still had new features.” Many pointed out that Apple’s rare public change of plans (delaying some features to iOS 13 to focus on quality in 12) paid off. Users on social media often said iOS 12 “gave my old iPhone new life.” On the enterprise/app side, one complaint was that Siri Shortcuts, while powerful, had a steep learning curve for average users – Apple hadn’t solved the general AI assistant gap, but created a niche tool. Nonetheless, developers loved the potential of Shortcuts to integrate their apps into Siri. Screen Time sparked discussions on tech addiction; some applauded Apple for taking responsibility, others said it’s only a first step. Either way, it set a standard – Google and Facebook soon introduced similar dashboards. Overall, iOS 12 was seen as a necessary and very positive course correction that set up the platform for bigger changes (and more complex devices like all-screen iPhones and iPads) in the next version.

iOS 13 (2019) – Dark Mode, SwiftUI, and Splitting from iPad

Release: September 19, 2019 (with iPhone 11/11 Pro) for iPhone; iPadOS 13 (rebranded) for iPad on Sept 24, 2019. iOS 13 was a feature-packed release that also notably split iOS into iOS for iPhone and iPadOS for iPad, reflecting Apple’s push to differentiate iPad. Headline features included the long-awaited Dark Mode, major app updates (Photos, Maps Remake), new privacy options (Sign in with Apple), and under-the-hood, the introduction of SwiftUI framework for developers. However, iOS 13 also had a rocky rollout, with an unusual number of quick bug-fix updates (13.1 was released just 5 days after 13.0). It underscored Apple’s increasing complexity in software and perhaps a rushed release, tempered by subsequent stabilizing in iOS 13.1/.2/etc.

• Dark Mode: After years of requests, iOS finally got a system-wide Dark Mode. With one toggle (and schedulable, even auto-switch at sunset), users could have light text on dark backgrounds in all system apps and many third-party apps that updated to support it. The implementation was polished – Apple provided smart inversion for PDF/media, subtle dark grays, etc., to make it easy on the eyes and potentially save battery on OLED iPhones. Dark Mode quickly became a beloved feature, especially for night use. Apple also gave developers tools (via UI frameworks) to easily adapt their apps. The whole OS dynamically switched, including wallpapers dimming, so it felt cohesive. This brought iOS in line with what macOS did in 2018 and what Android was also adopting.
• iPad becomes iPadOS: Apple announced that the iPad variant of iOS would be called iPadOS 13, marking its increasing divergence. iPadOS 13 included everything from iOS 13 plus iPad-specific enhancements: e.g., an improved home screen with tighter app grid and Today widgets pinned on first page; better multitasking with multiple instances of the same app (finally could have two windows of Notes or two emails open side by side); a new three-finger gesture set for copy/paste/undo; desktop-class Safari with download manager, and external drive support in Files. Essentially, Apple continued from iOS 11’s iPad improvements and gave it its own branding to highlight it. This separation also allowed iPadOS release schedule slight independence (though initially they were in lockstep, iPadOS 13.x came days after iOS 13). It underscored Apple’s commitment to iPad as a distinct platform.
• Performance and Footprint: Building on iOS 12’s performance, iOS 13 didn’t drop too many devices (lost support for iPhone 5s, 6/6Plus, iPad Air 1, Mini 2 – the A7 devices, as expected). It touted that app downloads were smaller (up to 50% for updates) and apps would launch faster thanks to a new on-device encryption (Apple used new app packaging and cryptographic methods). Face ID unlock speed was improved by ~30% on newer iPhones. So performance remained a focus.
• Photos and Camera: A big Photos app redesign introduced a new Days/Months/Years tab that curates your photo library with machine learning, highlighting best shots and auto-hiding clutter (screenshots, receipts). It felt like a dynamic photo journal. Videos and Live Photos now auto-played in the grid. Editing got more powerful: nearly every photo adjustment (brightness, etc.) now applicable to videos too – meaning you could edit video attributes right in Photos. Also new editing tools like Vibrance, Noise reduction, and an improved interface for cropping/straightening. In Camera, iOS 13 added a High-Key Mono Portrait effect and more lighting adjustments for Portrait Lighting on new iPhones (intensity slider). Overall, these enhancements strengthened iPhone’s position as a photo tool and made managing tons of photos easier.
• Maps 2.0: Apple Maps had been quietly rebuilt; in iOS 13 it unveiled its new map data (more detailed roads/land cover, accurate addresses) for the US (and later other countries). It also launched Look Around, Apple’s equivalent of Google Street View, with smooth high-res 3D panning for select cities. A new Maps feature called Collections let users create lists of places (e.g. “NYC Trip”) to share. Favorites allowed quick navigation to frequent spots. These were welcome and put Apple Maps closer to parity or even ahead in some UX aspects. Many reviewers noted the new maps were a huge improvement from the 2012 version. Privacy note: Apple emphasized their Look Around was done with LiDAR blurring faces/license plates automatically, and that Maps doesn’t link to user Apple IDs.
• Privacy – Sign in with Apple & More: iOS 13 introduced Sign in with Apple, a privacy-focused alternative to logging into apps via Facebook/Google. It allows users to use their Apple ID to authenticate in apps/web; Apple only shares a unique random ID (and optionally a relay email) with the service, protecting your actual email/name unless you allow. It was and is a big step for user privacy, combating the pervasive tracking from other login providers. Apple made it mandatory for apps that offer third-party sign-ins to also offer Apple’s. Reception was positive among users (less spam!) and while some devs bristled at Apple forcing it, it has been adopted widely. Additionally, iOS 13 gave users more control over location: Allow Once option for location prompts (one-time permission), background location usage alerts (if an app was tracking in background, iOS would pop-up a map and ask if you want to continue allowing it). Also, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi scanning by apps needed permission now (closing a loophole apps used to track location via beacons). These changes significantly hampered behind-the-scenes tracking and empowered users. Apple basically made privacy a marquee feature of iOS, which boosted its brand image and put pressure on competitors (Google also eventually added one-time permissions etc.).
• Siri Improvements: Siri got a new Neural Text-To-Speech voice for US English that sounded more natural, especially in longer sentences (less robotic pauses) – this rolled out to more languages later. Siri Shortcuts app became built-in (no need to download separately) and more integrated. Siri gained ability to read incoming messages aloud to you on AirPods (with Announce Messages). Also, Audio sharing for AirPods let two people listen to same audio on two sets of AirPods – not Siri per se, but a nice iOS feature. SiriKit added domains for third-party audio apps to integrate (e.g. you could ask Siri to play a song on Spotify – finally opened in iOS 13, though uptake was slow until 14). Siri also got better at recognizing different voices for Personal Requests on HomePod. Incremental but useful upgrades.
• Memoji and Messages: Apple expanded Memoji capabilities with more customization (makeup, accessories, even AirPods on your Memoji!). And crucially, Memoji became available on any A9+ device as “Memoji stickers” – basically, even if you lacked Face ID, you could create a Memoji and iOS would auto-generate sticker packs from it to use like regular stickers. This spread the Memoji craze beyond iPhone X and later. They added a bunch more Animoji too (mouse, octopus, etc.). In messages, you could now set a display name and profile picture (like a Memoji or Animoji or photo) to share with people when you iMessage them – a bit like WhatsApp profiles. Nice for keeping contacts updated.
• CarPlay refresh: CarPlay in iOS 13 got its first major UI update: a new Dashboard view that can show maps, music, and Siri suggestions side by side (finally not just one app at a time). It also got a Light mode, a tighter Siri interface (just an orb overlay), and allowed a second app (like a passenger using Music on the phone) without disrupting the view on car display. CarPlay improvements were praised, making it more competitive with Android Auto.
• Other nuggets: A new Find My app combined Find My iPhone and Find My Friends, and introduced the ability to find offline devices by using Bluetooth beacon that other Apple devices detect – an innovative crowdsourced approach to find lost devices, encrypted and anonymous, which later underpins AirTag finding network. Reminders got a total overhaul – new design, subtasks, attachments, smart lists, much more modern (it was overdue). Notes added Gallery view and shared folder support. Mail added rich fonts formatting options. Text editing got slightly easier with improved cursor navigation (like you can just pick up the cursor and move it) and a new floating iPad keyboard (iPhone-sized, for one-hand use on iPad). On iPhones with Haptic Touch (replacing 3D Touch on 11 and up), Apple managed to offer almost all 3D Touch actions with a long-press + haptic feedback, so users wouldn’t miss out (3D Touch was effectively deprecated).
• Quality and Adoption: iOS 13’s rollout was, to be frank, messy. Apple seeded 13.0 only on new iPhones and launched it at same time for existing – but within days rushed out iOS 13.1 (which was originally planned for a week or two later). 13.1 included features that didn’t make 13.0 (like Shortcuts automation triggers) and lots of fixes. Then 13.1.1, 13.1.2, 13.1.3 came in rapid succession to fix more bugs (from battery drain to app crashes). It wasn’t as bad as iOS 11’s situation, but it felt like a rushed release. Possibly Apple tried to coordinate with new hardware and the earlier than usual iPhone 11 launch. By iOS 13.2 in October (which added Deep Fusion camera for iPhone 11 and new emoji, Siri privacy settings after a controversy about Siri grading), things stabilized. But the first month of iOS 13 had numerous reported issues – e.g., RAM management was too aggressive at one point (apps kept closing in background – fixed in 13.2.2). iOS 13 adoption was slower than iOS 12’s initial rocket, maybe due to fear of bugs. But by end of 2019 it still hit ~70%, and eventually ~92% on compatible iPhones by Sept 2020 (thanks to iOS 13.7 which even introduced COVID-19 Exposure Notifications Express). One offshoot: iPadOS came 5 days after iOS 13 and then followed its own minor version track roughly aligned but a bit off at times. The separate naming indicated Apple’s seriousness in tailoring iPad experience.

Market Impact: iOS 13’s headline – Dark Mode – was a checkbox feature that probably delighted users and kept iOS feeling modern and comparable to Android and macOS. The privacy moves (Sign in with Apple, location controls) further positioned Apple as a privacy leader, which has become a big part of their brand and impacted how other companies behave (even Google started allowing one-time permissions, etc.). Sign in with Apple likely inconvenienced some data-hungry apps and gave users safer options – long term strengthening trust in App Store ecosystem. The Maps improvements, while not overnight making everyone ditch Google, did in the US at least show Apple Maps is no longer a joke – which could have subtle effects on user behavior (using Siri for directions more since Apple Maps is better, etc.). For developers, iOS 13 was huge because of SwiftUI – introduced at WWDC19, a new declarative UI framework that will eventually replace UIKit/AppKit. SwiftUI 1.0 had limitations but represented the future of multi-platform app dev for Apple. Also, Combine framework introduced for reactive programming. These are foundational changes that will shape apps in years to come (though early adoption was slow). ARKit’s continued evolution kept devs invested in AR on iOS, which might pay dividends if Apple releases AR glasses. Memoji and the focus on more personal touches (profile pictures in Messages) were part of making Apple’s ecosystem sticky, especially for younger users – creating a social element to iMessage. On the enterprise side, iOS 13’s new management features (like User Enrollment for BYOD devices) and more single sign-on options improved iOS’s already strong enterprise standing. However, the initial bug flurry did cause some iOS 12 holdouts in corporate environments until 13.3 or so stabilized. Apple’s frequent updates (13.x.x) to address issues showed responsiveness but also a possible need to refine its QA process. They did delay some features (AirPods Audio Sharing came in 13.1, iCloud Drive folder sharing was pushed to iOS 13.4 in 2020) to ensure quality, which was wise.

Expert Commentary: iOS 13 got mixed initial reviews: praise for features, critique for instability. CNET headlined: “Great new features, but wait for the bugs to be fixed.” The Verge called it “ambitious, but buggy” at first. Dark Mode was universally liked (almost no downside). Nilay Patel joked “Finally, my OLED iPhone looks as goth as I feel.” TechCrunch noted Sign in with Apple could be a “game changer for user privacy.” The Maps Look Around was widely praised for smoothness. Many reviews highlighted how iPadOS 13 transforms iPad into more of a computer – some even said “the iPad is now a real laptop replacement for many with iPadOS.” However, the barrage of 13.1.x updates indicated Apple maybe tried to do too much too quickly. By iOS 13.4 (spring 2020), most agreed Apple had smoothed things out and delivered on the promises (that update finally added iCloud folder sharing and even full pointer support on iPad, which was a surprise leap). So iOS 13 had a bumpy road but ultimately was one of the most feature-rich releases, pushing Apple’s ecosystem forward significantly in apps, privacy, and the divide between iPhone and iPad.

iOS 14 (2020) – Widgets & Customization, App Library, and App Clips

Release: September 16, 2020 (with iPhone 12 lineup a bit later due to COVID delays). iOS 14 was a blockbuster update in terms of user-visible changes – it fundamentally changed the iPhone home screen experience with widgets and the App Library, finally allowing a degree of customization and organization that users had requested for years. It also introduced App Clips (mini-apps on the fly), improvements in Messages (pinning, mentions), Maps (cycling directions), privacy (tracking controls), and a host of refinements. Importantly, iOS 14 launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet Apple managed a smooth rollout and even did a developer beta of the integrated Exposure Notification API in iOS 13.5 earlier in 2020. iOS 14 adoption was very quick, possibly because of the appealing visible features. Let’s go through the key parts:

• Home Screen Widgets: For the first time, iOS 14 let users place widgets on the home screen alongside app icons. These widgets were redesigned, available in various sizes (small, medium, large) and offered more information at a glance. Apple provided many (Weather, Music, Photos, Calendar, etc.), and crucially, third-party apps could create widgets using the new WidgetKit. The widgets were much more visually rich and data-dense than the old Today widgets and could be pinned on any page. This dramatically changed how users personalize their iPhone – some made aesthetic themes by combining widgets and custom icons (a trend exploded on TikTok post-release). Additionally, Apple introduced Smart Stacks, a widget that auto-rotates through multiple widgets intelligently, or that users can flip through manually – saving space. The presence of widgets addressed a longstanding gap vs. Android and satisfied power users’ desire for more info on home screen. It also spurred an entire culture of iPhone home screen customization, as seen in late 2020.
• App Library: iOS 14 tackled home screen clutter with the new App Library – a final page that auto-organizes all apps into categories/folders and provides an alphabetical list. This meant users could hide some home screen pages and rely on App Library for rarely used apps. New downloads could optionally go straight to App Library (keeping your home screen clean). This, combined with widgets, allowed for minimalistic setups (some users went down to 1-2 pages + App Library, whereas before every app had to live on some page unless you buried it in a folder). The App Library had some critics (no custom arrangement, some categories odd), but generally it was welcomed as it made it easier not to worry about where every app icon lives. It also signaled Apple acknowledging that the app-centric grid can evolve.
• Compact UI (Calls & Siri): iOS 14 fixed two annoyances: phone/FaceTime calls no longer take over the whole screen; instead, they show as a compact banner at top if you’re using the phone (you can tap to expand or answer). Similarly, Siri’s interface became an overlay (just an animated orb at bottom, with results appearing as notifications/cards), not covering the whole display. This allowed you to reference what’s on screen while talking to Siri or ignore a call without disruption. These changes made using iOS less interruptive and more fluid.
• Messages enhancements: Building on making iMessage more competitive with group chat apps, iOS 14 added:
  • Pinned conversations: You could pin up to 9 chats to the top of Messages list as large circles, so you can easily access favorites. Useful for heavy texters.
  • Mentions in group chats: You can tag someone in an iMessage group and they’ll be notified (and can optionally only be notified if mentioned).
  • Inline replies: In busy group chats, you can reply to a specific message and it creates a threaded sub-conversation you can view. This greatly improved coherence in group discussions.
  • More Memoji styles including face coverings (timely for 2020) and new stickers.
    These brought iMessage group chats closer to WhatsApp/Telegram in functionality. Combined with iOS 13’s improvements, Messages in iOS 14 felt very robust.
• App Clips: iOS 14 introduced App Clips, which are lightweight mini-apps (under 10 MB) that load on the fly without full installation. They can be launched via scanning an App Clip Code/QR, tapping an NFC tag, or Safari banner, etc. The idea: when you need an app’s function briefly (pay for parking, rent a scooter, order at a cafe), you can use an App Clip instead of installing the full app. They support Sign in with Apple and Apple Pay for quick transactions. App Clips auto-delete after a period (or remain in App Library’s App Clips category temporarily). This was Apple’s approach to make apps as instantly accessible as the web when needed. Early use cases included Yelp reservation App Clip, parking meter payments, etc. Over time, more emerged (some retail stores used them for loyalty sign-up). It’s a significant move to reduce app install friction and likely will grow with time/awareness.
• Privacy – Tracking & Paste notifications: iOS 14 took another big privacy step: requiring that apps get user permission via a prompt to track them across apps/websites (the infamous ATT – App Tracking Transparency framework). This was actually delayed until iOS 14.5 in 2021 to give developers time, but the groundwork was in 14.0. This changes the advertising industry since most users decline tracking; it’s heralded by privacy advocates and has made Apple and Facebook spar publicly. Additionally, iOS 14 started showing a small banner whenever an app accesses the clipboard (“XYZ pasted from Safari”). This exposed a lot of unexpected background clipboard reads by apps (some fixed their behavior after being caught). It had some minor downsides (people realized keyboard apps might need paste to offer suggestions), but overall increased transparency. Also, Camera and Microphone indicators now appear as colored dots in status bar (green for camera, orange for mic) when an app is using them, and in Control Center you can see which app last used them – a security feature to catch snooping apps. And, the app privacy “nutrition labels” in App Store were introduced (from Dec 2020, apps had to list their data practices) – not an iOS feature per se but an ecosystem change coinciding with iOS 14. All these further cemented Apple’s privacy stance and gave users more knowledge and control over their data.
• Maps & Guides, Cycling: Apple Maps added cycling directions (with elevation, stairs alerts, etc.) – starting in a few cities. Also EV routing for electric vehicles (taking into account charger availability, etc.), initially with Ford/BMW. They also added Guides, which are editorial city guides (things to do, curated by partners like Lonely Planet) – mostly a content addition. Not as major as iOS 13’s Maps overhaul, but continued improvements.
• Translate app: Apple introduced a new stock Translate app for translating text or voice between 11 languages, even fully on-device if downloaded (again pushing privacy and offline capability). It has a conversation mode (split screen bilingual). This competes with Google Translate; handy for travelers (less relevant in 2020 with travel slump, but good long-term). Siri also could translate more languages using this tech.
• Siri improvements: Besides the UI change, Siri in iOS 14 gained 20x more facts via web answers (pulling from Wikipedia etc.), so it could answer a broader set of questions. It could also now send audio messages via iMessage. Apple said Siri got better at the “first task completion rate” by significant percentages – hard to quantify, but presumably faster and more accurate. With the compact UI, using Siri became less jarring.
• Home & HomeKit: iOS 14’s Home app got visual status summaries (like which lights are on, etc.) and easier automation suggestions. They added Adaptive Lighting for HomeKit bulbs (automatically shift color temperature over day) akin to Night Shift for your house. Also Face Recognition for cameras: HomeKit Secure Video cameras could use onboard processing to tag people they’ve seen (based on your Photos people), and announce them via HomePod or Apple TV (e.g., “Kate is at the door”). Privacy-centric as always (analysis on device). While niche (requires specific hardware), it showcases Apple’s integrated approach.
• Misc notable: CarPlay added support for custom wallpapers and new app types (parking, EV charging, food ordering). More importantly, groundwork for CarKey – use iPhone/Watch as car key (via NFC and U1); launched with BMW in 2020. Another: Safari got a built-in Privacy Report (what trackers it blocked) and a password monitoring feature that alerts if your saved password appeared in known data leaks – similar to HaveIBeenPwned integration. Also Safari iOS 14 is ~2x faster JS than Chrome on Android per Apple. The Music app saw design tweaks like autoplay similar songs when your queue ends, and better search. The Weather app started incorporating weather from Apple’s Dark Sky acquisition (like next-hour precipitation chart – very handy). Health app added Sleep tracking (tying in Apple Watch sleep tracking). And one more small but fun: you can now tap the back of your iPhone (Back Tap) as a custom shortcut (Accessibility feature) to e.g. launch Control Center or run a Shortcut – a neat trick many loved.
• App Store changes: In iOS 14, Apple allowed devs to challenge guidelines, etc., amidst some antitrust scrutiny. Also they started showing the privacy labels in App Store as mentioned. Not an OS feature, but environment context: Epic Games sued Apple in 2020 and a legal battle ensued over App Store terms; iOS 14’s ATT and other restrictions on tracking caused public sparring with Facebook. Apple held firm, doubling down on privacy as a competitive advantage. This would play out over subsequent iOS versions too.

Quality and Adoption: iOS 14’s launch was one of the smoothest in recent years. There were minimal bug complaints initially (some minor stuff like an 0-day PDF exploit fixed in 14.0.1, some default app resets on reboot fixed in 14.0.1, battery life calibrations, etc.). Within a month or two, iOS 14 uptake soared to near iOS 12 levels. Possibly because flagship features (widgets) were so visible, many wanted them. Also in COVID times, maybe folks were more eager to refresh their phone experience. Apple said by February 2021, 86% of iPhones introduced in last 4 years were on iOS 14 – very high, on par with iOS 13’s rate, meaning the caution from iOS 13 didn’t carry over long. People jumped on iOS 14 for the customization. It became a trend on social media to share aesthetic home screens (made possible by widgets and custom icons using Shortcuts). That virality likely boosted adoption too.

Expert Commentary: iOS 14 was widely praised as giving users what they’ve wanted: “At last, an iPhone you can personalize” (Mashable). The Verge said “Apple, welcome to 2012” in a cheeky nod that widgets have been on Android forever, but acknowledged Apple’s implementations was very polished and integrated. Many journalists noted iOS 14 seemed influenced by lessons from Android yet retained Apple’s cohesion. Widgets and App Library were the stars; App Clips concept was lauded but seen as slow to roll out (reliant on adoption by businesses). Privacy moves (ATT) were championed by privacy advocates, though advertisers panned them. Tim Cook at a data conference said “We could not be more proud of ATT”, indicating Apple expected pushback but believed it the right thing. Early data after iOS 14.5’s ATT in 2021 showed 90+% users opted out of tracking – a huge shift in mobile advertising. On the fun side, the explosion of custom home screens spawned what media dubbed “the iOS aesthetic revolution”, showing that after 13 years of rigid grids, iPhone users had pent-up creative energy. Many sites ran guides on best widget apps (e.g., Widgetsmith became a top download overnight). So iOS 14 not only improved functionality, it sparked user delight in personalizing devices – something Apple historically limited, now embraced a bit more. Overall, iOS 14 was considered one of Apple’s strongest releases, blending feature parity advances, unique new ideas (App Clips), and continued push on privacy, all with solid quality.

iOS 15 (2021) – Refinement, Focus, and Shared Experiences

Release: September 20, 2021 (with iPhone 13 lineup). iOS 15 built upon iOS 14’s feature set with a mix of enhancements to communication, concentration, and continuity between devices. The world was still dealing with COVID-19’s effects, so Apple introduced features like SharePlay (co-watching over FaceTime) to adapt to the times. The update also brought Focus modes to better manage notifications, improvements to stock apps (FaceTime got grid view, Safari a controversial redesign, etc.), and continued the trend of privacy additions (Mail Privacy Protection, etc.). While not as visually dramatic as iOS 14, iOS 15 was a substantive upgrade, albeit adoption started slower possibly due to Apple making staying on iOS 14 and still getting security updates an option (for first time). Let’s examine notable changes:

• Focus (custom Do Not Disturb): iOS 15 expanded Do Not Disturb into Focus – allowing multiple custom modes (Work, Sleep, Personal, etc.). Each Focus can have its own allowed contacts/apps for notifications, custom Home Screens (so only relevant app icons and widgets show, hiding others), and behaviors (like auto-reply to messages in Driving Focus). It also can be scheduled or triggered by context (time, location, or app usage). Focus status can be shown to contacts in Messages (e.g., “John has notifications silenced” with option to break through for urgent). This feature recognizes that one size DND doesn’t fit all – we have different contexts. For busy or mindfulness-minded users, Focus was a game changer in reducing distractions. It builds on Screen Time and DND synergy. Many lauded Focus as helping work-life balance or study time by hiding tempting social media, etc. Apple integrated Focus across devices and on Mac (in macOS Monterey), meaning turning it on in one places applies to all if you choose. This feature set really positioned Apple as caring about user’s attention and it was a differentiator compared to stock Android (which has some work modes, but not as granular initially).
• FaceTime upgrades & SharePlay: With video calls now mainstream due to the pandemic, Apple boosted FaceTime:
  • Grid view for group FaceTimes (finally, Brady Bunch style).
  • Portrait mode background blur on FaceTime calls (leveraging device’s Neural Engine for a more professional look).
  • Spatial audio in FaceTime: voices sound like they come from the person’s position on screen, making group calls more natural.
  • Voice Isolation / Wide Spectrum mic modes: one uses AI to cut ambient noise (so only your voice is heard clearly), the other does opposite (picks up all room sound if desired, e.g., for music).
  • FaceTime Links: You can create a FaceTime meeting link and even share with Android/PC users who can join via web (Apple’s move to partially open up FaceTime). This aimed to position FaceTime as an alternative to Zoom/Meet for casual users. Web participants only had basic functions, but it’s significant as Apple’s first official FaceTime support outside its devices.
  • SharePlay (came in iOS 15.1): This flagship feature allows you to watch videos, listen to music, or screen-share apps together over FaceTime. It keeps streams in sync, with shared controls. Apple TV+, Disney+, TikTok, etc., integrated with SharePlay, turning FaceTime into a social platform. Also, users could share their screen to, say, browse photos or help someone with a device. SharePlay was a standout but launched a bit later than 15.0 – when it arrived, it found niche use cases (especially co-watching in long-distance relationships or remote families).
    These enhancements made FaceTime far more robust and caught it up in areas where Zoom/Teams had advantages (like scheduling calls or cross-platform). They emphasized Apple’s focus on social connection features.
• Messages – Shared with You: iOS 15’s Messages didn’t get huge changes like previous years, but Apple added “Shared with You” – a feature where content (links, photos, music, etc.) that people send you in Messages is automatically highlighted in corresponding apps’ Shared with You sections. For example, if a friend sends an Apple News article via iMessage, it appears in News app’s Shared With You tab, reminding you to read it. Same for Apple Music songs, Safari links, TV shows in TV app, Photos (photos people share get collected in your Photos app under Shared with You). It’s a nifty integration to surface things you might forget from chats. And within those apps, it even shows who sent it and lets you jump back to that conversation. It’s Apple leveraging its ecosystem to bind Messages with content consumption. Possibly more useful for heavy iMessage users, and it further differentiates iOS from Android where such integration is weaker.
• New Notifications design: Notifications in iOS 15 got a visual refresh – larger app icons and contact photos in them, and a more compact, rounded design. It also introduced Notification Summary – a scheduled summary that collects non-urgent notifications and delivers them as a digest at chosen times. This further helps reduce distraction: instead of getting a ping from every minor app, you can have, say, a morning summary of all your news alerts, etc. The summary is intelligently ordered by priority (using on-device intelligence based on your interactions). Coupled with Focus, these changes gave users more control on when and what notifications to see.
• Safari redesign (and controversy): Safari in iOS 15 moved the tab bar to the bottom by default (easier to reach on tall phones) and made it floating, compact, and swipeable (you could swipe left/right on it to switch tabs, or swipe up to see tab overview). URL bar was now integrated into that bottom bar. It also introduced Tab Groups that sync across devices – helpful for organizing tabs by topic. And Safari got new features like pull-to-refresh on iPhone, voice search, and most significant for devs: Safari web extensions support (via App Store). However, the bottom URL bar sparked usability debates. Some loved it (ease of reach, akin to many Android browsers), others found it confusing (especially with some controls hidden). During the beta, Apple iterated a lot – initially it was very minimal, then they added a dedicated share button, etc., after feedback. At launch, they even offered a setting to put the address bar back on top (appeasing those who hated the change). Over time, many adapted and found the bottom bar quite convenient. Regardless, it was a bold change to one of the most-used iPhone apps’ UI.
• Live Text and Visual Lookup: iOS 15 introduced Live Text, which allows the Camera and Photos apps (and Safari images, etc.) to recognize text in images and make it selectable and actionable. For example, you can point your camera at a sign and copy the text, or in Photos tap an icon to highlight text in a picture (even handwritten to a degree). It uses on-device OCR and works impressively well. This basically turns your iPhone into a quick scanner/translator (with Lookup or translate options in context menu). It’s hugely convenient for things like grabbing phone numbers or Wi-Fi passwords from physical paper. Similarly, Visual Lookup leverages AI to identify objects (plants, pets, landmarks) in your photos; when you swipe up on a photo or tap info, if it recognizes something, you get info cards. This is like Google Lens-type functionality, finally on iOS in a user-friendly way. These features showcase Apple’s AI progress (courtesy of Neural Engine in chips) and focus on device intelligence.
• Maps improvements: After completing the new map data rollout in more countries, iOS 15’s Apple Maps added a detailed 3D city experience in some cities (with exaggerated landmarks, custom-designed 3D models of buildings, even highway overpasses depicted in AR-like detail). It looked stunning and improved navigation clarity. Directions now included AR walking directions (you scan buildings with camera to orient, then AR arrows guide you). Transit integration improved with near-by station UI and notifications to disembark. Also, a new globe view was added when zooming out (like Google Earth style). These kept Apple Maps competitive and, in some visuals, arguably better than Google (at least in those showcase cities).
• Privacy: Mail Protection & App Reports: The Mail app got Mail Privacy Protection, which hides your IP and blocks tracking pixels by loading remote content privately (so senders can’t tell if/when you opened an email). This is a blow to email marketers but win for users. Apple also added App Privacy Report in Settings (arrived in 15.2) that shows how often apps access sensitive stuff (location, microphone, etc.) and what domains they contact – basically letting users audit app behavior over 7 days. This complements the privacy nutrition labels by giving actual observed data. Together, these furthered Apple’s privacy narrative (and no doubt frustrate data-driven advertisers).
• Health and Wallet updates: The Health app in iOS 15 introduced Health Sharing – you can share your health data with family or doctor securely. Also trends highlights (e.g. if a metric is moving up/down significantly). And for fall detection, you could now set it to during workouts only, etc. They also added Walking Steadiness metric (an indicator of fall risk assessed by iPhone motion sensors). In Wallet, Apple added support for digital IDs (driver’s license in select states, though rollout is slow). Also keys: expanded CarKey, plus unlocking compatible smart locks/hotel rooms (partnership with Hyatt for NFC room keys). These moves continue Apple’s aim to replace physical wallet items with Wallet app.
• Siri changes: Siri in iOS 15 gained the ability to process certain requests on-device without Internet (thanks to Neural Engine), like setting timers, launching apps, controlling settings – making them very fast and private. Also Siri’s voice recognition in general became fully on-device for requests, meaning it can often respond without sending audio to server (except queries needing info). This alleviates privacy concerns and speed. Apple also allowed Hey Siri on third-party HomeKit accessories for the first time (e.g., a thermostat could route Siri requests). And Siri’s voice got more natural and they added more diverse voice options (iOS 14.5 had already stopped defaulting to female voice, asking user to choose).
• Minor but neat: FaceTime now supports portrait mode blur and voice isolation background noise reduction. iCloud+ was introduced for paid iCloud plans, bundling Private Relay (an encrypted, dual-hop proxy for Safari traffic similar to a VPN but not allowing choosing location – still in beta) and Hide My Email (random relay emails like Sign in with Apple but for general use). Also an unlimited HomeKit Secure Video camera support tier. Essentially giving more value to iCloud subscribers and boosting privacy.
• Device compatibility: iOS 15 supported all the same devices as iOS 14 – amazingly including iPhone 6s from 2015. That’s a 6-year support (and even 6s runs decently on it). This continued Apple’s extended support trend. Some features though (like Live Text) only work on devices with A12 Bionic or later (2018+). Apple also made an unprecedented move: for the first time, they allowed users to remain on iOS 14 with security updates if they didn’t want to jump to 15 immediately. They didn’t push the update aggressively. This may have been partly due to focusing on quality and user choice, and perhaps to decouple major feature releases from mandatory security uptake. Adoption by end of 2021 was slightly behind prior years (e.g., ~72% of recent iPhones by Jan 2022 vs ~81% for iOS 14 same time) – presumably because some stayed on 14. Apple ended the dual support in Jan 2022 quietly by releasing a final 14.8.1 then pushing 15.3. But the approach might have helped avoid negative experiences if any had reservations. Generally, iOS 15’s launch was smooth, with fewer major bugs than 13’s launch. Some minor issues (like CarPlay disconnects fixed in 15.0.2, some iPhone 13 had Unlock with Apple Watch bug fixed in 15.0.1). Nothing widespread akin to earlier troubles.

Market and Cultural Impact: iOS 15’s Focus and notification changes reflect a tech industry shift to help users manage digital life – Apple’s implementation is arguably the most comprehensive, influencing how people use devices for work vs personal time. SharePlay tapped into the remote socializing trend – a bit late perhaps (Zoom had done watch parties earlier), but integrated in FaceTime which could drive usage of Apple TV+, Apple Music, etc. The cross-platform FaceTime invites was probably driven by the necessity of being relevant in a Zoom world; it made some wonder if Apple will expand services beyond walled garden (likely not too far). The continued emphasis on privacy (Mail, App Privacy Report, iCloud Private Relay) upsell Apple’s iCloud and ecosystem as safe and user-centric, giving them a marketing edge and perhaps pressuring competitors (Google disabled third-party call recording in Android 12 citing privacy – the ecosystem as whole is trending to more privacy). The new health features like walking steadiness show Apple trying to make iPhone a preventative health tool, beyond Apple Watch. Meanwhile, the extension of support for older phones and allowing optional upgrade path might have slowed new iPhone purchases marginally, but it fosters goodwill and long-term loyalty (iPhone longevity becomes a selling point, ironically aligning with right-to-repair and environmental goals). On the developer side, Apple doubling down on on-device machine learning (Vision, NLP etc via Core ML) and AR (ARKit 5 added location anchors etc.) primes the community for potential AR glasses or other devices. Also, SwiftUI matured in iOS 15 with more capabilities, signaling Apple’s future direction. The controversies around App Store (Epic vs Apple trial in 2021) and regulatory pressure did cause Apple to start adjusting some policies (e.g. allowing linking to external sign-up in certain apps by iOS 15.5). But iOS 15 itself largely kept status quo on App Store front. One minor widespread thing: iOS 15 allowed users to add COVID vaccination cards to Wallet via SMART Health QR code, which was widely used as proof of vax in many places – showing iOS adapting to global needs (though not a flashy feature, it was practical for millions).

Expert Commentary: Focus mode got high praise in reviews as “the best feature iOS 15 you didn’t know you needed”, with some noting they use their phone differently because of it. The Verge called iOS 15 “an update about maintaining connections – or cutting them off when you want”, highlighting FaceTime SharePlay and Focus as dual aspects. Many reviews called iOS 15 more of an iterative polish than a revolutionary update – which is true, as it built on a strong iOS 14 foundation. But features like Live Text wowed lots of users and press: “It’s like magic – Apple’s Live Text is my favorite iOS 15 trick” (CNBC). Privacy features continued to endear Apple to journalists concerned with Big Tech issues. There was some critique too: Safari’s new design had its detractors (enough that Apple gave the option to revert in Settings, which some did). And early iOS 15.0 had more bugs than iOS 14.0 (some memory leaks and UI glitches), but Apple fixed many by 15.1/15.2. All in all, iOS 15 was seen as a welcome refinement that made iPhones more helpful in day-to-day life without major disruption – the focus being on user’s well-being (Focus, Screen Time improvements), staying connected (FaceTime enhancements), and continuing Apple’s ethos of privacy and integration.

iOS 16 (2022) – Personalized Lock Screens, iMessage Editing, and More

Release: September 12, 2022 (with iPhone 14 lineup). iOS 16’s marquee feature was a complete revamp of the Lock Screen, making it highly customizable (widgets, fonts, colors, and even dynamic wallpapers). Apple effectively brought the personalization trend (kicked off by iOS 14’s home screen changes) to the very first screen. Beyond that, iOS 16 added much-requested capabilities like editing and unsending iMessages, a shared iCloud Photo Library for families, major improvements to Mail (unsend, schedule), and Phase 2 of Apple’s push into passwordless logins with Passkeys. It also introduced small but smart conveniences (e.g., lift subject from image background, haptic keyboard feedback). Together, these changes made iOS more personal, flexible, and modern. There were some rocky moments (e.g., initial bugs, and new features like Live Activities and Matter support rolled out in point releases), but overall it was a substantial update continuing Apple’s dual focus on personalization and privacy.

• Lock Screen Customization & Widgets: iOS 16 gave users the ability to create multiple Lock Screens, each with unique styling and info. Key aspects:
  • Styles: Press and hold the lock screen to enter an editor (like Apple Watch faces). You can swipe through presets or create new. Options: Dynamic wallpapers (e.g., shuffle a set of photos, astronomy globe, weather animation, emoji patterns, etc.), color wash backgrounds, etc. Font and color of the clock and date can be changed.
  • Widgets on Lock Screen: You can add up to four small widgets (or fewer if larger ones) above and below the clock. These are info snippets (like upcoming calendar event, weather, battery, activity rings, etc.) from Apple and third-party apps (WidgetKit extended to lock screen widgets). They resemble Apple Watch complications. It’s immensely useful, surfacing key info at a glance without unlocking.
  • Depth Effect: For photo wallpapers, iOS 16 can intelligently layer the clock behind the subject if it detects a person (for a neat depth visual).
  • Focus Linking: You can tie a particular Lock Screen to a Focus mode (so when you switch Focus, the whole lock screen changes). For example, a “Work” focus could have a Lock Screen with work calendar widget and a professional wallpaper, vs. a “Personal” focus with family photo and fitness rings.
    The new Lock Screen was a huge hit; it gave iPhone a refreshed look and user individuality akin to watch faces. It also paved the way for the always-on display in iPhone 14 Pro – making an info-rich, glanceable lock screen core to iPhone experience. Many reviews called this the biggest visual update since iOS 7.
• Notifications changes: With the fancy Lock Screen, notifications were tweaked to roll in from the bottom of the screen, and you can choose display styles: count, stack, or list. This way they don’t constantly obscure your lock screen image. You can hide them and just show a number like “5 Notifications” for a minimal look. This change did confuse some initially, but most adapted. It further emphasizes Lock Screen as a canvas you control, not just a bulletin board of notifications.
• Live Activities: iOS 16 introduced Live Activities, which are real-time updating notifications that persist on your lock screen (or in Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro). E.g., if you’re following a sports game, a ride-share, or timer, you can see live progress without unlocking. Apple’s apps (Timer, Music Now Playing, etc.) used it, and an API let developers make their own (though this didn’t launch until 16.1). This feature addresses the need for glanceable ongoing info, something users have wanted (like seeing Uber’s ETA easily). It’s also crucial for making use of the Dynamic Island’s potential on new iPhones.
• Messages enhancements: Big updates:
  • Edit messages: You can now edit an iMessage up to 15 minutes after sending (with an “Edited” indicator shown to recipients).
  • Undo send: You can unsend an iMessage within 2 minutes of sending (it removes for both parties, though if they haven’t updated to iOS 16, they still see it).
  • Mark as unread: Finally possible to mark a thread as unread so you remember to reply later.
  • SharePlay via Messages: Instead of FaceTime, you can do a shared playback in Messages (synchronous content or music with text chat).
  • Collaboration: You can send invitations to collaborate on docs via Messages and get activity updates in the thread (integrated with Files/Keynote/Notes, etc.).
    These features brought Messages closer to modern messaging expectations (WhatsApp, etc.), with edit/unsend being especially welcome to fix typos or mistaken sends. Apple put some safeguards (edit history visible by tapping, limited unsend window) to prevent abuse. The features were widely appreciated.
• Mail improvements: The Mail app got several long-desired features:
  • Undo Send: After sending an email, you have a brief window (by default 10 seconds, configurable up to 30) to undo it – basically a delayed send, similar to Gmail’s.
  • Schedule Send: You can schedule emails to be sent at later times (e.g., tomorrow morning).
  • Remind Me: You can set an email to resurface at a chosen time, effectively snoozing it.
  • Follow-up suggestions: Mail will nudge you if an email you sent hasn’t gotten a reply, or if you opened an email with a question it might suggest “Did you want to follow up?”.
  • Improved search: using ML, fixes typos, and surfaces recent attachments or links.
    These changes finally made Apple Mail competitive with the likes of Outlook/Gmail in functionality. Especially business users appreciated schedule send and follow-up – these were pro features missing from stock Mail.
• Photos and iCloud Shared Library: iOS 16 introduced iCloud Shared Photo Library, allowing up to 6 people to share a separate iCloud photo library where all participants have equal add/edit/delete rights. This is different from the previous shared albums – it’s more seamless, effectively a common pool (great for families or close groups). It even offers smart setup options (share all photos after a certain date or with specific people, etc.) and an in-camera toggle to send shots directly to shared library. This fulfilled a common request to make family photo sharing easier (no more “Can you AirDrop me those pictures?” – if everyone uses shared library, all pics go to one place). It launched in 16.1, slightly delayed for polishing.
• Visual Look Up improvements: The coolest one: you can now tap and hold on a subject in an image (person, pet, object) and lift it from the background, creating a PNG with transparency. You can then drag or copy it into other apps. This “background removal” feels like magic and leverages advanced image understanding. It’s surprisingly accurate and trivializes what used to require Photoshop. It went viral on launch because of how easy and slick it is. Visual Look Up also expanded to recognize more things: birds, insects, statues, etc., and even detect text or symbols (like you could look up what a laundry symbol means from a photo of a tag). But the instant cutout feature stole the show.
• Passkeys: Marking a step towards a passwordless future, iOS 16 introduced Passkeys, which are cryptographic keys stored in iCloud Keychain that can authenticate you in apps and websites (using Face/Touch ID). They are based on WebAuthn/FIDO standards and are phishing-resistant. Apple built it to sync across your devices and even allow cross-platform via QR codes. Although mainstream adoption depends on site support, iOS 16’s inclusion of passkeys (and macOS Ventura) was a major milestone in moving beyond passwords. Early adopters like PayPal, BestBuy, etc., rolled out support. This could dramatically improve security if it catches on, and Apple’s full integration means potentially billions of devices ready to use it.
• Safari, Passkeys, Tabs: Safari (apart from passkeys) added Shared Tab Groups (you can share a tab group with friends and collaborate in research or trip planning, with live updates) and push notifications for web apps (but that actually arrived in 16.4). Also, the bottom address bar redesign from iOS 15 matured and Apple by now had appeased initial critics.
• Lockdown Mode: iOS 16 added an extreme-security Lockdown Mode for at-risk individuals (activists, journalists targeted by spyware). It limits many features (no attachments in Messages, blocks JIT in Safari, no FaceTime from unknown, etc.) to reduce attack surface. A unique feature albeit niche, it underscores Apple’s security-first stance.
• Siri and Dictation: Dictation in iOS 16 got dramatically better: the keyboard stays open during dictation and you can fluidly switch between voice and typing (putting cursor and moving, then speaking). It also now automatically adds punctuation and even emojis as you dictate (if you say “smiley emoji” it inserts one). This uses on-device machine learning. Siri got a bit smarter too: able to run shortcuts without confirmation and can hang up calls (if you say “Hey Siri, hang up”, though others hear you say it). Siri also gained the ability to insert emoji when sending messages by voice.
• Misc improvements: Health app added medication tracking with reminders and interaction warnings (plus an Apple Watch med complication). Fitness app became available to all iPhone users (even without an Apple Watch) to use the motion sensor to estimate steps/calories to close a Move ring. This expanded the Fitness+ market too (though later they’d remove requirement for Watch to do Fitness+ workouts). Home app got a complete redesign (more intuitive UI, categories for lights, cameras, etc.) and underlying architecture update (the latter had a rocky rollout, temporarily pulled and reintroduced in iOS 16.4). Also support for Matter accessories to unify smart home ecosystem. CarPlay “next generation” was previewed (integration with car’s instrument cluster) but that’s future vehicles. Haptic feedback for keyboard was finally added (some had used third-party keyboards to get it, now native). And iPhone 14 Pro got the Dynamic Island – iOS 16 was designed to leverage that hardware, with Live Activities integrating nicely into it.
• Device support: iOS 16 dropped support for iPhone 6s / 7 and SE (1st gen) – requiring A11 chip or later (iPhone 8/X or newer). That ended support for devices 6-7 years old, still generous. iPads moved to iPadOS 16 (which was delayed to October and launched as 16.1, and notably added Stage Manager multitasking on M1 iPads – a significant but contentious feature). iOS 16’s adoption by early 2023 was a tad slower than iOS 15’s, possibly due to Apple still allowing users to stick on iOS 15.7 for a while and some high profile iOS 16 bugs (some users awaited stability). But as of February 2023, ~72% of recent iPhones ran iOS 16, which is healthy. 16.0 had some bugs (like excessive copy-paste permission prompts, fixed in 16.0.2; some camera shake issue on iPhone 14 Pro fixed in 16.0.2; initial battery drain complaints which are common after big updates as system reindexes, etc.). By 16.1 and 16.2, many features (Live Activities, Freeform app, etc.) rolled in and OS was fairly stable.

Expert Commentary: iOS 16 was generally well-received. The Lock Screen changes were highly praised; reviewers said it’s “a massive win for personalization” and “makes iPhone feel fresh and more your own.” Many noted Apple’s carefully designed widget and customization system avoided the pitfalls of total theming flexibility by maintaining some consistency. Even previously skeptical tech press who critiqued Apple’s closed nature appreciated the new freedom (though it’s still curated compared to Android launchers). The ability to unsend and edit messages was highlighted as catching up to modern messaging norms and was popular among users (with the caveat of both parties needing iOS 16). The Wall Street Journal wrote “iOS 16’s best features will make you an easier human to reach – or not, thanks to Focus”, acknowledging the improved communications and also ability to disconnect. Some features got mixed initial reactions: Stage Manager on iPad (though that’s iPadOS) was rough at start, and even Dynamic Island had some critics as a distraction (but in context of iPhone 14 Pro, which they reviewed separately). Privacy additions like Lockdown Mode were lauded by security experts as innovative approach to targeted threats, albeit not for everyone. Overall, the narrative was that iOS 16 successfully delivered meaningful enhancements that users had been asking for (Lock Screen widgets, message editing, etc.) while maintaining Apple’s polish. It kept iOS leading in integration and now in personalization too, which historically wasn’t Apple’s strong suit.

Finally, stepping back: from iPhone OS 1 to iOS 16 (and beyond to iOS 17 in 2023 which continued many trends like StandBy mode for nightstand display, Contact Posters building on lock screen style, etc.), we see a platform that evolved from a tightly controlled, feature-limited 1.0 into a rich, expansive ecosystem. Apple has balanced adding capabilities (often catching up to others) with keeping things user-friendly and secure. Each release often alternates between major feature expansions and periods of refinement – a cycle that keeps iOS modern but stable. Over 15+ years, iOS grew in every dimension – app support (from zero apps to 2M+ apps), performance (the original iPhone struggled to even run multiple apps, now an iPhone can edit 4K video), and integration (iOS today connects with Macs, Watches, TV, cars, smart home, cloud services). Through it all, core principles like simplicity and privacy became more pronounced. This comprehensive journey shows Apple’s strategy of steady, if sometimes delayed, innovation with a focus on optimizing the overall user experience – which has cemented iOS as a dominant force in computing, powering over a billion active iPhones around the globe. Each iOS version built on the last – sometimes with big leaps, other times with behind-the-scenes improvements – collectively making the iPhone an indispensable tool of modern life.