The Lifecycle of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS.

This week introduced the most awaited item of the year; iPhone6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch. Along with this range Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) also announced IOS 8 – the most up-to-date operating system for both the new iPhones. After Sept 9th, it will be available for download.

Shedding light on to the evolutionary changes of IOS, from the first iPhone OS till the latest iOS 8; the past 6 years have shown remarkable changes.

When the first iOS was released, YouTube and online games were the most entertaining elements. This was the era where there were no applications or multitasking. Since then iOS has come a long way, with many features and tools that a user could possibly have use for.

iOS 1.0

Released in June 2007, it had just a few features, namely, Mail, iPod, Calendar, Photos, Clock, Text, Safari, Notes, You Tube, Calculator, Maps, Camera, Stocks and phone. There was no such thing as Apple Store or iTune Store Apps in iOS 1.0. But a few months into its production, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) came up with iOS SDK, released in March 2008. It opened the way for the 500,000 apps that support iPhone today.

iOS 2.0

The App Store was the biggest launch in iOS 2.0. – it was released in July 2008, giving users access to thousands of apps, invented by the developers. This gave Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) a years ahead start in competition and soon everyone was heard saying “There’s an App for it”

Other remarkable features of the year included push email, screen captures, photo apps, parental control, genius playlist and addition of emoji.

iOS 3.0

Released in June 2009, it bought in the ability to cut, copy, paste. GPS accuracy, compass and iPhone Maps app. Find My iPhone was also introduced along with spotlight search.

Then in April 2010, a additional part of iOS 3.0 was bought in iOS 3.2. It was introduced to bring iOS to iPad. It bought with it new gestures for new keyboards and new apps.

iOS 4.0

Released in June 2010, it gave iPhone the feel of post-PC. It included video chatting, like FaceTime; iBooks and custom dictionary were also present.

Users could also switch between apps without losing data; and to make the experience easier, folders on home screen were made available. Digital zooming became an added feature to the camera. Game centre bought in the Angry Birds – it turned out to be a very popular game, and almost caught on as a phenomenon.

iOS 5.0

In 2011, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) launched an additional 200 features, making iOS 5, the biggest update. These included SMS plans, like iMessage. Camera feature gave the option to edit; read later feature was also introduced; wireless syncing made iOS devices PC-independent.

iOS 6.0

App Store was redesigned with a new look. Facebook and Twitter integration was also part of this year’s updates; FaceTime calls could be made over the network; a new keypad and option to answer calls via text was also bought to play.

iOS6, brought user friendly software for users with vision, hearing, learning and mobility disabilities.

iOS 7.0

Every screen and app of iOS7 was redesigned, giving it a more simplified feel. The iTunes Radio was the biggest hit of iOS7; it allowed users to pick an artist song and iTunes radio, creating an entire station for you.

Other features included Face Time calls over 3G/4G; AirDrop became a feature for easy picture sharing, navigation on road, videos and etc.

iOS 8.0

This version of the iOS was released in September of 2014. Since the iPhone camera is the most used camera in the world, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) added a feature of time-lapse camera mode. SMS and calls could be made on Mac; group messages got enhanced and iOS8 has also included more interactive notifications.