Ten Things You Didn’t Know About iOS

 

Having recently read this fantastic comparison between the ever-popular Windows phone and Apples new flagship iOS 8 it seems there are a lot of things that people don't know about iOS8. Throughout this article, we'll teach you everything we know about iOS 8 with some fantastic points which we're sure you've not come across yet!

 

Apple's exclusive mobile operating system is the powering force behind some of the world's favourite gadgets. It's most recent incarnation, iOS 8 has revolutionised mobile phones and upped the game in premium smartphone technology. Although the glass and aluminium design and unique aesthetic might be the first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of the iPhone, the handset would be nothing without its ever-evolving operating system.

 

Here are some quick facts to get you fully up to date on all there is to know about iOS.

 

1. iOS Wasn't Always iOS

 

While the name iOS is now ubiquitous with Apple devices, there was a time in the not so distant past that there was no such thing as iOS. When it was first launched in January of 2007, Steve Jobs referred to the operating system as "iPhone runs OS X." The operating system was branded as "iPhone OS" in March 2008, and finally became iOS in 2010.

The brand "iOS" didn't originally belong to Apple- the tech company purchased the rights to the name from Cisco in 2010.

 

2. iOS Is Powered By Touch

 

The concept of Apple's operating system is driven by user interaction and "direct manipulation", meaning touch is at the heart of iOS. Although tapping and swiping are the primary means of control for the interface, the operating system introduced shaking as a means of gesture control, and rotation gestures can be used to turn the screen in different directions.

 

3. It's Not Just For Phones

 

Apple has been praised for the cohesion in style and function between its various devices. While design plays an important role in this consistency, it's iOS that makes moving between various Apple devices so simple and smooth. iOS doesn't just run on the iPhone, it also powers the world's most popular tablet, the iPad, and the iPod Touch.

 

4. A Future Of Integration

 

Apple's desktop operating system, OSX has functioned fairly independently of iOS in the past, but this is all changing with the newest generation of iOS- iOS 8. Users will be able to sync iOS 8 with their Apple desktop to send text messages and make phone calls from their computer. This should be confirmed when the full features of the upcoming OSX 10.10 Yosemite are announced.

 

5. Messaging For Free

 

Although many people associate free messaging within their phone's software with BlackBerry's BBM feature, Apple was also quick to the mark to introduce free messaging for iPhone users. Apple's iMessage service was launched all the way back on iOS5, allowing users to avoid using their allotted text messages while still chatting freely with friends.

 

6. Sharing Is Caring

 

iOS 8 has made life a lot easier for families running multiple iPhone and tablet devices at one time. It's now possible to share apps that have been purchased from the App Store, so parents can buy apps for their kids from their phone and share them over to other devices for the whole family to play. This feature also extends to calendars and notes, so family members can share itineraries and make plans through their mobile phones and tablets.

 

7. Call With No Signal

 

A really exciting new development on iOS 8 is the possibility to make phone calls even in an area with no network connection. iOS 8 allows for voice calls through Wi-FI, so if you're really stuck with no signal but find a Wi-Fi hotspot, you can make important phone call without waiting for your network connection to re-appear.

 

8. Touch Type No More

 

The iPhone has always been known for its touchscreen keyboard, which some people love and other people can't stand. Android introduced the Swype keyboard function on Android devices but until iOS 8, Apple users couldn't make the switch if they prefer this more fluid typing style. Now, Apple fans can enable QuickType to change the way they use their phones without having to move over to an Android phone.

 

9. Block Your Enemies

 

If there are people you really want to avoid, Apple's iOS makes it easy to ignore them until you're ready to talk again. iOS 7, launched in 2007, introduced Block This Caller, a feature that allows users to block phone calls, messages and FaceTime calls from anyone they don't want to hear from.

 

10. iOS Is Not The Most Popular

 

Apple fans might despair at this fact, but despite all of its strengths and innovations, iOS is no longer the world's most popular operating system. Thanks to its more widespread usage on various mobile devices across different manufacturers, Android holds massive 85% market share, while iOS trails behind at 11%. It's still far ahead of Windows Phone and BlackBerry, however, and the iPhone is still one of the most popular and sought after smartphones in the world.

 

 

Chao Chen

Editor

YouMobile, Inc.