👉 Overview
👀 What ?
iOS is the mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone and iPod Touch; the term also includes the versions running on iPads.
🧐 Why ?
Understanding iOS is fundamental for anyone using Apple's mobile devices. It provides the basis for device security, application development, and user experience. It's also crucial for troubleshooting device issues.
⛏️ How ?
To get started with iOS, one needs an Apple device like an iPhone or an iPad. The device's settings allow users to update the OS, manage applications, control privacy settings, and more. For developers, Apple provides the iOS SDK and Xcode, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for creating and testing iOS apps.
⏳ When ?
iOS was first introduced with the release of the original iPhone in 2007. Since then, it has gone through numerous updates, with major versions released annually.
⚙️ Technical Explanations
At the core of iOS is a Unix-like operating system kernel, similar to MacOS. iOS uses a multi-touch interface where simple gestures are used to operate the device, like swiping your finger across the screen to move to the next page or pinching your fingers to zoom out. The iOS App Store allows users to browse and download apps developed with Apple's iOS software development kit. Apps can be downloaded from the App Store for free or at a cost, and revenues are split between Apple and the app developer.