iOS (previously iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system developed by Apple

Inc. and distributed exclusively for Apple hardware. It is the operating system
that powers many of the companys i!evices.
Originally unveiled in "##$ for the iPhone% it has been extended to support
other Apple devices such as the iPod &ouch (September "##$)% iPad ('anuary
"#(#)% iPad )ini (*ovember "#(") and second+generation Apple &, onward
(September "#(#). As of 'une "#(-% Apples App Store contained more than
(." million iOS applications% .##%### of which were optimi/ed for iPad.0120$2
&hese apps have collectively been downloaded more than 1# billion times.032
It had a "(4 share of the smartphone mobile operating system units shipped
in the fourth 5uarter of "#("% behind 6oogles Android.072 8y the middle of
"#("% there were -(# million devices activated.0(#2 According to the special
media event held by Apple on September ("% "#("% -## million devices had
been sold by 'une "#(".0((2
&he user interface of iOS is based on the concept of direct manipulation%
using multi+touch gestures. Interface control elements consist of sliders%
switches% and buttons. Interaction with the OS includes gestures such as
swipe% tap% pinch% and reverse pinch% all of which have speci9c de9nitions
within the context of the iOS operating system and its multi+touch interface.
Internal accelerometers are used by some applications to respond to sha:ing
the device (one common result is the undo command) or rotating it in three
dimensions (one common result is switching from portrait to landscape
mode).
iOS shares with OS ; some framewor:s such as <ore =oundation and
=oundation> however% its ?I tool:it is <ocoa &ouch rather than OS ;s <ocoa%
so that it provides the ?I@it framewor: rather than the App@it framewor:. It is
therefore not compatible with OS ; for applications. Also while iOS also
shares the !arwin foundation with OS ;% ?nix+li:e shell access is not available
for users and restricted for apps% ma:ing iOS not fully ?nix+compatible either.
)aAor versions of iOS are released annually. &he current release% iOS 3.(% was
released on October "#% "#(-. In iOS% there are four abstraction layersB the
<ore OS layer% the <ore Services layer% the )edia layer% and the <ocoa &ouch
layer. &he current version of the operating system (iOS 3.#)% dedicates (.C +
(..68 of the devices Dash memory for the system partition% using roughly
3## )8 of that partition (varying by model) for iOS itself.0("20(C2 It runs on
the iPhone -S and later% iPad " and later% all models of the iPad )ini% and the
.th+generation iPod &ouch.In "##.% when Steve 'obs began planning the
iPhone% he had a choice to either Eshrin: the )ac% which would be an epic
feat of engineering% or enlarge the iPodE. 'obs favored the former approach
but pitted the )acintosh and iPod teams% led by Scott =orstall and &ony =adell%
respectively% against each other in an internal competition. =orstall won that
9erce competition to create the iPhone OS. &he decision enabled the success
of the iPhone as a platform for third+party developersB using a well+:nown
des:top operating system as its basis allowed the many third+party )ac
developers to write software for the iPhone with minimal retraining.0(-2
=orstall was also responsible for creating a software developers :it for
programmers to build iPhone apps% as well as an App Store within i&unes.0(.2
0(12
&he operating system was unveiled with the iPhone at the )acworld
<onference F Gxpo% 'anuary 7% "##$% and released in 'une of that year.0($2 At
9rst% Apple mar:eting literature did not specify a separate name for the
operating system% stating simply what Steve 'obs claimedB EiPhone runs OS ;E
and runs Edes:top applicationsE0(320(72 when in fact it runs a variant of 0)ac2
OS ;% that doesnt run OS ; software unless it has been ported to the
incompatible operating system. Initially% third+party applications were not
supported. Steve 'obs reasoning was that developers could build web
applications that Ewould behave li:e native apps on the iPhoneE.0"#20"(2 On
October ($% "##$% Apple announced that a native Software !evelopment @it
(S!@) was under development and that they planned to put it Ein developers
hands in =ebruaryE.0""2 On )arch 1% "##3% Apple released the 9rst beta%
along with a new name for the operating systemB EiPhone OSE.
Apple had released the iPod &ouch% which had most of the non+phone
capabilities of the iPhone. Apple also sold more than one million iPhones
during the "##$ holiday season.0"C2 On 'anuary "$% "#(#% Apple announced
the iPad% featuring a larger screen than the iPhone and iPod &ouch% and
designed for web browsing% media consumption% and reading i8oo:s.0"-2
In 'une "#(#% Apple rebranded iPhone OS as EiOSE. &he trademar: EIOSE had
been used by <isco for over a decade for its operating system% IOS% used on
its routers. &o avoid any potential lawsuit% Apple licensed the EIOSE trademar:
from <isco.0".2
8y late "#((% iOS accounted for 1#4 of the mar:et share for smartphones
and tablet computers.0"12 8y the end of "#("% iOS accounted for "(4 of the
smartphone OS mar:et072 and -C.14 of the tablet OS mar:et.0"$2
Software updates0edit2
)ain articleB History of iOS
See alsoB iOS -% iOS .% iOS 1% iOS $ and iOS 3
Apple provides maAor updates to the iOS operating system approximately
once a year via i&unes and also% for devices that came with iOS version ..# or
later% over the air. &he latest version is iOS 3% which is available for the iPhone
-S% iPhone .% iPhone .<% iPhone .S% iPhone 1% iPhone 1 Plus% iPad "% the third
and fourth generation iPad% the iPad Air% the 9rst and second generation iPad
)ini% and the 9fth generation iPod &ouch. &he update was released on
September ($% "#(-.
8efore the iOS - release in "#(#% iPod &ouch users had to pay for system
software updates. Apple claimed that this was the case because the iPod
&ouch was not a subscription device li:e the iPhone (i.e.% it was a one+oI
purchase).0"32 Apple said it had found a way to deliver software updates for
free to iPod &ouch users at JJ!< "#(# when iOS - was unveiled.0"72
=eatures0edit2
Home Screen0edit2
)ain articleB Spring8oard
&his section needs additional citations for veri9cation. Please help improve
this article by adding citations to reliable sources. ?nsourced material may be
challenged and removed. ('une "#(C)
&he home screen (rendered by and also :nown as ESpring8oardE) displays
application icons and a doc: at the bottom of the screen where users can pin
their most fre5uently used apps. &he home screen appears whenever the
user unloc:s the device or presses the EHomeE button (a physical button on
the device) whilst in another app. &he screens bac:ground can be
customi/ed with other customi/ations available through Aailbrea:ing. &he
screen has a status bar across the top to display data% such as time% battery
level% and signal strength. &he rest of the screen is devoted to the current
application. Jhen a passcode is set and a user switches on the device% the
passcode must be entered at the Koc: Screen before access to the Home
Screen is granted.
Since iOS version C.#% a Spotlight Search function has been available on the
leftmost page of the home screen page allowing users to search through
media (music% videos% podcasts% etc.)% applications% e+mails% contacts%
messages% reminders% calendar events% and similar 9les. &hird+party app 9les
were not% and still are not% searchable using the Spotlight feature. In iOS $%
this feature can be accessed by pulling down anywhere on the home screen
(except for the top and bottom edges that open *oti9cation <enter and
<ontrol <enter).0C#20C(2
In iOS C." or later and with a supported device% the user can set a picture as
the bac:ground of the home screen. &his feature is only available on third+
generation devices or newer L iPhone C6S or newer% iPod &ouch Crd gen. or
newer% and all iPad models.
Mesearchers found that users organi/e icons on their homescreens based on
usage+fre5uency and relatedness of the applications% as well as for reasons of
usability and aesthetics.0C"2
=olders0edit2
Jith iOS - came the introduction of a simple folder system. Jhen
applications are in EAiggle modeE% any two (with the exception of *ewsstand in
iOS . and iOS 1% which acts li:e a folder0CC2) can be dragged on top of each
other to create a folder% and from then on% more apps can be added to the
folder using the same procedure% up to (" on iPhone -S and earlier and iPod
&ouch% (1 on iPhone .% and "# on iPad. A title for the folder is automatically
selected by the category of applications inside% but the name can also be
edited by the user. Jhen apps inside folders receive badges% the numbers
shown by the badges is added up and shown on the folder. =olders cannot be
put into other folders% though an unoNcial wor:around exists that enables
folders to be nested within folders.0C-2 iOS $ updated the folders with pages
li:e on the Spring8oard. Gach page can hold nine apps% and the *ewsstand
app is now able to be placed into a folder.
*oti9cation <enter0edit2
)ain articleB *oti9cation <enter
8efore iOS .% noti9cations were delivered in a blue dialog box. &his system of
noti9cation management was greatly critici/ed. In the iOS . update% the
noti9cations feature was completely redesigned. *oti9cations collate in a
window which can be dragged down from the top of the screen.0C.2 If a user
touches a received noti9cation% the application that sent the noti9cation will
be opened. *oti9cations are now delivered in small banners that appear over
the status bar. &he old method of delivering noti9cations is still available from
*oti9cation Settings if the user wishes to enable it for some or all
applications.
Jhen an app sends a noti9cation whilst closed% a red badge will appear on its
icon. &his badge tells the user% at a glance% how many noti9cations that app
has sent. Opening the app clears the badge.
Included applications0edit2
&he iOS home screen contains these default EappsE. Some of these
applications are hidden by default and accessed by the user through the
Settings app or another methodOfor instance% *i:ePiPod is activated through
the Settings app. )any of these apps% such as Safari% the App Store% and Siri%
can also be disabled in the Mestrictions section of the Settings app.0C12
Primary
Series iPhone iPod &ouch iPad iPad )ini
)odel (st C6 C6S - -S . .< .S 1 1 Plus (st
"nd Crd -th .th (st " Crd -th Air (st "nd
Phone&elephone (.# ".# C.# -.# ..# 1.# $.# 3.# *QA
*QA *QA
)ail Gmail client (.(.C ".(.( C.(.( -.( 1.# C." -.C ..( 1.#
$.#.C 1.# $.#.C
Safari Jeb browser(.(
)usic Portable media player *QA ..# ..#
,ideos ,ideo player C." -.C
Spring8oard Home screen (.# ".# C.# -.#
Spotlight search C.# C.#
=olders *QA -.# *QA -.# -.".(
Home screen bac:grounds *QA -.# *QA -.# C."
Secondary
Series iPhone iPod &ouch iPad iPad )ini
)odel (st C6 C6S - -S . .< .S 1 1 Plus (st
"nd Crd -th .th (st " Crd -th Air (st "nd
)essages &ext messaging (.# ".# C.# -.# ..# 1.# $.#
3.# *QA *QA *QA
))S *QA C.#
i)essage instant messaging *QA ..# *QA ..# 1.# ..# ..(
1.# $.#.C 1.# $.#.C
<alendar <alendar (.# ".# C.# -.# (.( ".(.( C.(.( -.(
C." -.C
Photos Photo viewer
,ideo viewer".# ".#
<rop% red eye 9x% auto enhance and photo rotate *QA ..# *QA ..#
*QA ..#
<amera <amera (.# ".# C.# -.# *QA -.( *QA -.C
<amcorder *QA
Auto+focus -.# *QA *QA
H!M *QA -.(
<rop% red eye 9x% auto enhance and photo rotate ..# ..# ..#
Panorama *QA 1.# *QA *QA 3.# *QA 3.#
&a:e still photos while recording video *QA *QA *QA *QA
Photo 9lters $.# $.#
8urst mode *QA $.# *QA
=ace&ime ,ideo calling over Ji+=i *QA -.# ..# 1.# $.# *QA
-.( 1.# -.C ..( 1.# $.#.C 1.# $.#.C
,ideo calling over C6QK&G (iPad re5uires a cellular networ:) *QA 1.#
*QA *QA *QA 1.# 1.#.( 1.#.(
=ace&ime Audio $.# $.# $.# $.#
Photo 8ooth A camera application with added special eIects *QA *QA
-.C ..( 1.# 1.#
Stoc:s Stoc:s provided by RahooS =inance (.# ".# C.# -.#
..# 1.# $.# 3.# (.(.C ".(.( C.(.( -.( 1.# *QA *QA
Stoc:s Jidget for *oti9cation <enter *QA ..# *QA ..#
Jeather Jeather provided by &he Jeather <hannel *QA 3.# *QA
3.#
Jeather Jidget for *oti9cation <enter ..# ..# 1.# $.# 3.# ..#
1.# *QA $.# $.#.C $.# $.#.C
*otes A simple note+ta:ing program (.# ".# C.# -.# (.(.C ".(.(
C.(.( -.( C." -.C ..( 1.# 1.#
)aps Assisted 6PS (iPad re5uires a cellular networ:) *QA *QA 1.#.(
1.#.(
Apple+sourced maps *QA 1.# *QA 1.# 1.# *QA 1.# 1.#
&urn+by+turn navigation using Apple+sourced maps *QA 1.# *QA
*ewsstand A newspaper and maga/ine store *QA ..# ..# ..#
*QA ..# ..# ..( 1.# 1.#
Meminders A to+do list application
Kocation+based reminders (iPad re5uires a cellular networ:) *QA *QA
*QA 1.#.( 1.#.(
,oice )emos ,oice recorder C.# C.# -.# C.# C.(.( -.(
1.# *QA *QA
<alculator <alculator (.# ".# (.( ".(.(
Scienti9c calculator (triggered by rotating to landscape) ".# ".#
<loc: Jorld cloc:% stopwatch% alarm cloc: and timer (.# (.( *QA
1.# $.#.C 1.# $.#.C
Settings Settings C." -.C ..( 1.#
<ontacts Standalone addressQphone boo: ".#
i&unesAccess to the i&unes )usic Store and i&unes Podcast !irectory (.(
App Store &o buy iOS apps ".# ".#
<ompass <ompass *QA *QA *QA *QA
*i:e P iPod Mecords the distance and pace of a wal: or run>
can connect to *i:e P iPod sensor
(turned oI by default L can be enabled in Settings) *QA ".(.( C.(.( -.(
1.#
6ame <enter Play multiplayer games with other users%
trac: in+game achievements% view leaderboards. -.( -.( -.".( -.C
..( 1.# $.#.C 1.# $.#.C
,oice <ontrol Simple voice control (disabling Siri may be necessary)
C.# -.# *QA C.(.( -.( *QA *QA
Siri A personal voice assistant *QA *QA *QA 1.# 1.# $.#.C
1.# $.#.C
,oice dictation ..(
&ouch I! A 9ngerprint recognition feature built into the home button>
able to unloc: the device and ma:e i&unesQApp Store purchases *QA $.#
*QA *QA *QA
Passboo: A virtual wallet application for passes% tic:ets% coupons and
loyalty cards *QA 1.# $.# *QA 1.# *QA *QA
<arPlay A new in+vehicle extended iOS functionality *QA $.(.( *QA
*QA *QA
Air!rop An ad+hoc Ji+=iQ8luetooth+based 9le sharing mechanism *QA
$.# *QA $.# *QA $.# $.#
Health An app that monitors and analy/es an individuals biochemistry
and physiology *QA 3.# *QA 3.# *QA *QA
&ips An app that gives tutorials for various functions *QA 3.# 3.#
Podcasts Integrated podcast player
i8oo:s Integrated e+boo: viewer
!iscontinued
Series iPhone iPod &ouch iPad iPad )ini
=inal supported
iOS version
)odel (st C6 C6S - -S . .< .S 1 1 Plus (st
"nd Crd -th .th (st " Crd -th Air (st "nd
iPod iPhone media player% iPad music player (.# ".# C.# -.#
*QA *QA C." -.C *QA *QA -.".(# (<!)A)
-.C..
Rou&ube Rou&ube video streamer ..# *QA (.( ".(.( C.(.( -.(
*QA ..( *QA ..(.(
)aps 6oogle )aps with 6oogle Street ,iew (.(.C
Jeather Jeather provided by RahooS Jeather 1.# $.# *QA 1.#
*QA $.(."
On the iPhone and iPod &ouch% apps such as ,oice )emos% <ontacts%
<alculator% and <ompass are in one folder called E?tilitiesE in iOS - and
above.0C$20C32 )any of the included applications are designed to share data
(e.g.% a phone number can be selected from an email and saved as a contact
or dialed for a phone call). =or the iOS $ update% the folder name was
changed to EGxtrasE.
&he )essages app supports Apples i)essage service in iOS . or above>
i)essage supports sending free text or multimedia messages to other iOS
devices running iOS . and above (similar to 8lac:8erry )essenger)% and to
)acs running OS ; )averic:s.
Panoramic photography is available only on iPhone -S and later models% and
the 9fth generation iPod &ouch.0C720-#2
&he bottom row of applications% called the doc:% is used to delineate the
iPhones main purposesB originally Phone% )ail% Safari% iPod. Starting with iOS
.% the iPod app was split into two apps% )usic and ,ideos% as it always has
been on the iPod &ouch% and the )usic app replaced the iPod app in the doc:.
Since the inception of the iPhone% various apps were either integrated into
iOS (e.g. Podcasts% i8oo:s% Siri% =aceboo:% &witter) or disintegrated (e.g.
Podcasts% i&unes ?% Rou&ube). In iOS 1% the previously integrated Rou&ube app
was removed from the software% and moved to the App Store. &he Podcasts
and i&unes ? features (previously integrated in the )usic and ,ideos apps)
also became their own apps in the App Store. In iOS $% the iPhone gains a
dedicated =ace&ime app (previously integrated into the Phone app)% as it had
been on the iPod &ouch and iPad since iOS -. In iOS 3% the i8oo: and Podcast
apps became integrated into iOS% though the App Store app is still available
for download.
Starting 'anuary "##3% the iPod &ouch retains the same applications that are
present by default on the iPhone% with the exception of the Phone and
<ompass (and also previously% )essages before iOS . and <amera before the
fourth+generation iPod &ouch) apps. &he original doc: layout was )usic%
,ideos% Photos% and i&unes. In iPhone OS C% the layout was changed to )usic%
,ideos% Safari% and App Store. =or the fourth+generation iPod &ouch% it
includes =ace&ime and <amera% and the doc: layout had changed to )usic%
)ail% Safari% ,ideos% with the release of iOS -. Jith the release of the new
9fth+generation iPod &ouch and iOS 1% the doc: layout was changed to
)essages% )ail% Safari% )usic% similar to the iPhone.
&he iPad and iPad )ini come with the same applications as the iPod &ouch%
excluding Stoc:s% Jeather% <alculator% and the *i:e P iPod app (and also
previously% <loc: before iOS 1). Additionally% starting with the iPad "% they
have the uni5ue Photo 8ooth app. )ost of the default applications% such as
Safari and )ail% are completely rewritten to ta:e advantage of the iPads and
iPad )inis larger displays. &he original doc: layout was Safari% )ail% Photos%
iPod. Separate music and video apps are provided% as on the iPod &ouch%
although (as on the iPhone) the music app was named EiPodE. In iOS .% it was
changed to E)usicE and the doc: layout became Safari% )ail% Photos% )usic.
In iOS 1% ,ideos replaced Photos in the doc:. In iOS $% the default doc: layout
was changed to match that of the iPod &ouch.
)ultitas:ing0edit2
)ultitas:ing for iOS was 9rst released in 'une "#(# along with the release of
iOS -.#.0-(20-"2 Only certain devicesOiPhone -% iPhone C6S% and iPod &ouch
Crd generationOwere able to use multitas:ing.0-C2 &he iPad did not get
multitas:ing until the release of iOS -.".( in *ovember "#(#.0--2 <urrently%
multitas:ing is supported on iPhone C6S or newer% iPod &ouch Crd generation
or newer% and all iPad models.0-.2
Implementation of multitas:ing in iOS has been critici/ed for its approach%
that limits the wor: that applications in the bac:ground can perform to a
limited function set% and for re5uiring application developers to add explicit
support for it.0-C20-12
8efore iOS -% multitas:ing was limited to a selection of the applications Apple
included on the device. ?sers could% however EAailbrea:E their device in order
to unoNcially multitas:.0-$2 Starting with iOS -% on third+generation and
newer iOS devices% multitas:ing is supported through seven bac:ground APIsB
0-32
8ac:ground audio L application continues to run in the bac:ground as long as
it is playing audio or video content0-72
,oice over IP L application is suspended when a phone call is not in
progress0-72
8ac:ground location L application is noti9ed of location changes0-72
Push noti9cations
Kocal noti9cations L application schedules local noti9cations to be delivered
at a predetermined time0-72
&as: completion L application as:s the system for extra time to complete a
given tas:0-72
=ast app switching L application does not execute any code and may be
removed from memory at any time0-72
In iOS .% three new bac:ground APIs were introducedB
*ewsstand L application can download content in the bac:ground to be ready
for the user0-72
Gxternal Accessory L application communicates with an external accessory
and shares data at regular intervals0-72
8luetooth Accessory L application communicates with a bluetooth accessory
and shares data at regular intervals0-72
In iOS $% Apple introduced a new multitas:ing feature% providing all apps with
the ability to perform bac:ground updates. &his feature prefers to update the
users most fre5uently used apps and prefers to use Ji=i networ:s over a
cellular networ:% without mar:edly reducing the devices battery life.
Switching applications0edit2
In iOS -.# to iOS 1.x% double+clic:ing the home button activates the
application switcher. A scrollable doc:+li:e interface appears from the bottom%
moving the contents of the screen up. <hoosing an icon switches to an
application. &o the far left are icons which function as music controls% a
rotation loc:% and on iOS -." and above% a volume controller.
Jith the introduction of iOS $% double clic:ing the home button also activates
the application switcher. However% unli:e previous versions it displays
screenshots of open applications on top of the icon and hori/ontal scrolling
allows for browsing through previous apps% and it is possible to close
applications by dragging them up% similar to how JebOS handled multiple
cards.0.#2
Gnding tas:s0edit2
8rieDy holding the icons in the application switcher ma:es them EAiggleE
(similarly to the homescreen) and allows the user to force 5uit the
applications by tapping the red minus circle that appears at the corner of the
apps icon.0.(2 <learing applications from multitas:ing stayed the same from
iOS -.# through 1.(.1% the last version of iOS 1. As of iOS $% the process has
become faster and easier. In iOS $% it is no longer necessary to hold the icons
to close them% they can simply be swiped oI the screen. ?p to three apps can
be cleared at a time compared to one in versions up to iOS 1.(.1.0."2
&as: completion0edit2
&as: completion allows apps to continue a certain tas: after the app has been
suspended.0.C20.-2 As of iOS -.#% apps can re5uest up to ten minutes to
complete a tas: in the bac:ground.0..2
Siri0edit2
)ain articleB Siri (software)
Siri is a personal assistant and :nowledge navigator which wor:s as an
application on supported devices. &he service% directed by the users spo:en
commands% can do a variety of diIerent tas:s% such as call or text someone%
open an app% search the web% loo:up sports information% 9nd directions or
locations% and answer general :nowledge 5uestions (e.g. EHow many cups are
in a gallonTE).0.12 Siri was updated in iOS $ with a new interface% faster
answers% Ji:ipedia% &witter% and 8ing support and the voice was changed to
sound more human. Siri is currently only available on the iPhone -S and later
iPhones% the 9fth+generation iPod &ouch% all of the models of the iPad )ini%
and the third+generation and later iPads.
6ame <enter0edit2
)ain articleB 6ame <enter
6ame <enter is an online multiplayer Esocial gaming networ:E0.$2 released
by Apple.0.32 It allows users to Einvite friends to play a game% start a
multiplayer game through matchma:ing% trac: their achievements% and
compare their high scores on a leaderboard.E iOS . and above adds support
for pro9le photos.0.$2
6ame <enter was announced during an iOS - preview event hosted by Apple
on April 3% "#(#. A preview was released to registered Apple developers in
August.0.$2 It was released on September 3% "#(# with iOS -.( on iPhone -%
iPhone C6S% and iPod &ouch "nd generation through -th generation.0.72
6ame <enter made its public debut on the iPad with iOS -.".(.01#2 &here is
no support for the iPhone C6% original iPhone and the 9rst+generation iPod
&ouch (the latter two devices did not have 6ame <enter because they did not
get iOS -). However% 6ame <enter is unoNcially available on the iPhone C6
via a hac:.01(2
!evelopment0edit2
&he applications must be written and compiled speci9cally for iOS and the 1-+
bit AM) architecture or previous C"+bit one. &he Safari web browser supports
web applications as with other web browsers. Authori/ed third+party native
applications are available for devices running iOS ".# and later through
Apples App Store.
S!@0edit2
)ain articleB iOS S!@
iOS S!@ 1.( included in ;code -.1
On October ($% "##$% in an open letter posted to Apples EHot *ewsE weblog%
Steve 'obs announced that a software development :it (S!@) would be made
available to third+party developers in =ebruary "##3.01"2 &he S!@ was
released on )arch 1% "##3% and allows developers to ma:e applications for
the iPhone and iPod &ouch% as well as test them in an EiPhone simulatorE.
However% loading an application onto the devices is only possible after paying
an iPhone !eveloper Program fee.
&he fees to Aoin the respective developer programs for iOS and OS ; were
each set at U77.## per year. As of 'uly "#% "#((% Apple released ;code on its
)ac App Store free to download for all OS ; Kion users% instead of as a
standalone download. ?sers can create and develop iOS and OS ;
applications using a free copy of ;code> however% they cannot test their
applications on a physical iOS device% or publish them to the App store%
without 9rst paying the yearly U77.## iPhone !eveloper or )ac !eveloper
Program fee.01C2
Since the release of ;code C.(% ;code is the development environment for
the iOS S!@. iOS applications% li:e many of the higher+level framewor:s and
applications that are part of iOS and OS ;% are written in ObAective+<.01-2
!evelopers are able to set any price above a set minimum for their
applications to be distributed through the App Store% :eeping $#4 for the
developer% and leaving C#4 for Apple. Alternatively% they may opt to release
the application for free and need not pay any costs to release or distribute
the application except for the membership fee.01.2
'ailbrea:ing0edit2
)ain articleB iOS Aailbrea:ing
Since its initial release% iOS has been subAect to a variety of diIerent hac:s
centered around adding functionality not allowed by Apple. Prior to the "##3
debut of the native iOS App Store% the primary motive for Aailbrea:ing was to
install third+party native applications% which was not allowed by Apple at the
time.0112 Apple claimed that it will not release iOS software updates designed
speci9cally to brea: these tools (other than applications that perform SI)
unloc:ing)> however% with each subse5uent iOS update% previously un+
patched Aailbrea: exploits are usually patched.01$2
Since the arrival of Apples native iOS App Store% andOalong with itOthird+
party applications% the general motives for Aailbrea:ing have changed.0132
People Aailbrea: for many diIerent reasons% including gaining 9lesystem
access% installing custom device themes% and modifying the device
Spring8oard. On some devices% Aailbrea:ing also ma:es it possible to install
alternative operating systems% such as Android and the Kinux :ernel.
Primarily% users Aailbrea: their devices because of the limitations of iOS. It
should be noted that depending on the method used% the eIects of
Aailbrea:ing may be permanent% or can be restored to the original state.0172
In "#(#% the Glectronic =rontier =oundation (G==) successfully convinced the
?.S. <opyright ONce to allow an exemption to the general prohibition on
circumvention of copyright protection systems under the !igital )illennium
<opyright Act (!)<A). &he exemption allows Aailbrea:ing of iPhones for the
sole purpose of allowing legally obtained applications to be added to the
iPhone.0$#2 &he exemption does not aIect the contractual relations between
Apple and an iPhone owner% for example% Aailbrea:ing voiding the iPhone
warranty> however% it is solely based on Apples discretion on whether they
will 9x Aailbro:en devices in the event that they need to be repaired. At the
same time% the <opyright ONce exempted unloc:ing an iPhone from !)<As
anticircumvention prohibitions.0$(2 ?nloc:ing an iPhone allows the iPhone to
be used with any wireless carrier using the same 6S) or <!)A technology
for which the particular phone model was designed to operate.0$"2
?nloc:ing0edit2
)ain articleB SI) loc:
Initially most wireless carriers in the ?S did not allow iPhone owners to unloc:
an iPhone for use with other carriers. A&F& )obility allows iPhone owners who
have satis9ed the re5uirements of their contract to unloc: their iPhone.0$C2
Instructions to unloc: the device are available from Apple%0$-2 but it is
ultimately the sole discretion of the carrier to authori/e the device to be
unloc:ed.0$.2 &his allows the use of a carrier sourced iPhone on other
networ:s. However% because &+)obile primarily uses a diIerent band than
A&F& for its C6 data signals% the iPhone will only wor: at C6 speeds on the &+
)obile (7## )H/ networ:.0$12 &here are programs to brea: these
restrictions% but are not supported by Apple and most often not a permanent
unloc:% :nown as soft+unloc:.0$$2
!igital rights management0edit2
&he closed and proprietary nature of iOS has garnered criticism% particularly
by digital rights advocates such as the Glectronic =rontier =oundation%
computer engineer and activist 8rewster @ahle% Internet+law specialist
'onathan Vittrain% and the =ree Software =oundation who protested the iPads
introductory event and have targeted the iPad with their E!efective by
!esignE campaign.0$320$7203#203(2 <ompetitor )icrosoft% via a PM
spo:esman% critici/ed Apples control over its platform.03"2
At issue are restrictions imposed by the design of iOS% namely digital rights
management (!M)) intended to loc: purchased media to Apples platform%
the development model (re5uiring a yearly subscription to distribute apps
developed for the iOS)% the centrali/ed approval process for apps% as well as
Apples general control and loc:down of the platform itself. Particularly at
issue is the ability for Apple to remotely disable or delete apps at will.
Some in the tech community have expressed concern that the loc:ed+down
iOS represents a growing trend in Apples approach to computing% particularly
Apples shift away from machines that hobbyists can Etin:er withE and note
the potential for such restrictions to stiDe software innovation.03C203-2 =ormer
=aceboo: developer 'oe Hewitt protested against Apples control over its
hardware as a Ehorrible precedentE but praised iOSs sandboxing of apps.03.2
@ernel0edit2
&he iOS :ernel is ;*?% the :ernel of !arwin. &he original iPhone OS ((.#) up to
iPhone OS C.(.C used !arwin 7.#.#d(. iOS - was based on !arwin (#.#.#. iOS
. was based on !arwin ((.#.#. iOS 1 was based on !arwin (C.#.#. iOS $ is
based on !arwin (-.#.# (!arwin @ernel ,ersion (-.#.#B =ri Sep "$ ##B--B(.
P!& "#(C>rootBxnu+"-"C.C.("W(QMGKGASGXAM)).0312