What is iOS?
iOS is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple exclusively for its own devices. It debuted in 2007 and was installed on the iPhone and iPod. From 2014 to 2019, the system also worked on the iPad (until iPadOS premiered in 2019). In contrast to Android, this system is not supported on devices from other manufacturers.
The iOS operating system was developed from Mac OS and was presented at the unveiling of the company’s first mobile phone, the iPhone 2G. iOS is known for its large selection of built-in features, which include:
- Touch ID fingerprint recognition - Only the direct owner of the device has access to it.
- VoiceOver voice assistant - Makes use of the device convenient for the visually impaired. All functions and commands are voiced and accompanied by various audible signals.
- Made for iPhone - Allows the user to connect headphones, a headset, or other accessories to the device to receive clear, high-quality sound.
- Guided Access - Allows the user to manually disable programs and mobile apps that are not needed in everyday life. This feature can also be used for parental controls.
- Polyglot - Recognizes over 20 languages and has more than 50 different keyboard layouts, allowing the device to be used in any country in the world.
A user can navigate the iOS environment on a device by touching, gesturing, and swiping (moving a finger across the screen in one direction). The controls consist of various sliders, switches, and buttons. Interaction with these controls requires the user to touch or swipe the screen with their finger, thereby activating certain functions. For example: opening apps, scrolling, shrinking, enlarging, and more.
For downloading applications and games on an Apple mobile device, the official App Store application comes preinstalled on every device along with the operating system. System updates are received through the iTunes program, which is also used for device activation, as well as downloading books and music.
Updates are released quarterly, while new versions (iOS 16 was presented in 2022) are usually released annually along with new devices in the iPhone line.
Advantages of iOS
- Stability - A limited variety of processor types and screen resolutions keeps problems and bugs in iOS to a minimum. This makes it easier for developers to optimize and improve their work.
- High-Speed - Apple’s mobile operating system is the fastest in the world.
- Long -Term Device Support - Updates and fixes are released even for older versions of mobile devices. Other operating systems rarely send updates to devices more than 3 years old.
- An Intuitive User Interface and Ease of Use - Each of the system’s elements is carefully thought out to maximize convenience. Settings are well-grouped, and the main functions are placed in the upper and lower curtains. Support for people with disabilities has also been implemented.
- iCloud Storage - Stores full iOS backup copies, photos, contacts, notes, and reminders.
- Confidentiality and Information Security - Any program requesting access to information on a device must first obtain consent from the user. Even an application containing a virus will not cause harm if the user accidentally launches it.
- Apple’s App Store - A marketplace of over 2 million applications in a variety of categories. Each product is carefully verified at the publishing stage, reducing the probability of downloading a low-quality or viral application to nearly zero.
- A Closed Operating System - This feature has made iOS the most secure system in the world, but viewing its list of files and using the mobile device as a USB is prohibited.
Disadvantages of iOS
- System updates often slow down the mobile device. This is done intentionally, in part, so that users will buy new mobile phones on a regular basis.
- Third-party applications downloaded from unofficial stores cannot be installed.
- The Bluetooth feature is limited (due to the closed nature of the operating system). The mobile device can only connect with headphones and other wireless accessories, and file sharing with other smartphones is not possible.
iOS Security
The iOS mobile operating system is highly secure, but vulnerabilities do occur from time to time, which Apple tries to fix as quickly as possible. For example, in 2022, two bugs related to recording information outside the allocated memory area were identified and fixed. One bug was in the WebKit component (the technology behind the Safari web browser), and the other was in the core of the operating system itself.
Hackers began to exploit these vulnerabilities in earnest, so as soon as the company released a new update, users received a notification strongly encouraging them to download it immediately. Prior to the update’s release, the vulnerabilities were classified as “zero-day” errors, since the fix for them was only available after the update.
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