The operating system for iPhone – iOS – was introduced on June 29th, 2007 but only had it official name from March 6th, 2008. On 2008 Apple released the second version with application store for third party and introduced the second version on 2009 , the fourth version with multitasking has just been announced on 2010.
I. iOS Version 1
1.0: the initial release with iPhone and 1.1 (Sep.14th, 2007) is for iPod Touch with some bugs fixed and a security update for Safari.
1.1.1: a big update which added more features in buttons, interface, connectivity and security
1.1.3: another big update with new applications, new features for entertainment, exist applications and the touch screen.
II. iOS Version 2
Version 2.0 was introduced on July 11th, 2008. It is a major upgrade for iPhone and initial release for iPhone 3G, which provided enhancements in language, mail, contact, calendar, enterprise, some firmware-related update and especially App Store – an service which allows third-party applications available on it. Later 2.0.x versions are for bug fixes.
2.1: Big update for iPhone and iPhone 3G. The new changes are in companion changes with iTunes 8, performance and OS enhancement, bug fixes, applications features and some new features which only available for iPod Touch.
2.2.x: New enhancements for maps, e-mail, App Store upgrade, Safari, bug fixes and miscellaneous features and some update for iPod Touch 2G only.
Interface of App Store. Source: techcrunch.com
III. Version 3
The third major firmware upgrade – called iOS 3.0 – was released on June 17th, 2009 and became the initial release of iPhone 3Gs with cut/copy/paste features, MMS, developer APIs, accessibility settings, new system features, performance and application enhancements, firmware-related updates and some features which available for iPhone 3Gs only. Versions 3.1.x (Sep.9, 2009) focused on connectivity, miscellaneous features and some bug fixes and versions 3.2.x are for iPad.
IV. Version 4
The fourth major release of iOS (iOS 4.0) only supports iPhone 3Gs and came with iPhone 4 , iPhone 3G will get limited features while iPhone 1st generation is not supported.
It brings the multitasking functions – which already called the weak point of iPhone against other smartphone, Facetime video calling, new settings and application features for home screen, messaging and entertainment, along with accessibility support, Safari updates, bug fixes and other firmware-related changes. Versions 4.0.1 and 4.0.2 are for bug fixes.
Version 4.2 and 4.2.1 updated AirTunes was replaced by Airplay for better streaming via Wi-Fi, Airprint added for wireless printing.
Version 4.2.5/.6/.7/.8 are security updates and bug fixes for CDMA iPhone 4 only
Version 4.3 came with iPad 2 and is available for updates. It fixed daylight saving time bug from version 4.2, Airplay enhancement, increase Safari performance and added personal hot spot function. Later versions, 4.3.1/.2/ are for bug fixes. Version 4.3 fixed location tracking - a critical security glitch.
V. Up next: the iOS version 5
According to Apple iOS will appear at World Wide Developer Conference this summer and will be introduced on fall 2011. It is predicted to focus on cloud computing and wireless sharing and will take advantage of the power of iPhone 5’s dual core processor. Although information about iOS 5 mostly remains unknown, its growth still attracts the hi-tech users all over the world – and other competitions like Symbian, Android or Windows Phone.
iPhone App Store has launched: http://techcrunch.com/2008/07/10/app-store-launches-upgrade-itunes-now/
iOS version history on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_version_history#endnote_T1
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