Here is how iOS evolved over the past 6 years

posted by Nick T. / Jun 12, 2012, 9:42 AM

Here is how iOS evolved over the past 6 years

The year is 2007. Steve Jobs is on stage unveiling a new, revolutionary product with a name we are all so familiar with today – the iPhone. It looks nothing like a smartphone, or at least not like the smartphones we knew back then, for it had no hardware keyboard, a spacious, touch-sensitive screen, and ran a software platform that was sleek and highly simplified.

We surely recall that day as if it was yesterday, just like some of you do as well. And since iOS 6.0 was unveiled yesterday, what better moment to go back in time and see how it all began? Today we present you with a brief retrospection of iOS and the way it evolved over the years. Yup, we are calling it iOS, even though the platform was not referred to by that name until its fourth major release.

So let's go back in time and see how limited iOS was at first, and yet how it stood out from the rest with its smooth performance, intuitiveness, and attention to detail. Just flick through the slideshow below, and do not hesitate to share with us which major release you think was most significant.

The iOS evolution

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99 Comments

1. SuperAndroidEvo

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

YES watch a snail move across your yard & that is EXACTLY how iOS has evolved in the last 6 years. lol Wow Apple really is turning up the revolution in their brand new iOS 6. iOS 6 is now on par with Android 1.6 Donut. (And that is being very nice!) I wonder how Android 4.1 Jellybean will push the OS THAT much further than iOS 6. I really need to see a list with these 200 “phantom” features iOS 6 is claiming. lol

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 10:02 AM 40

3. destr0y3r

Posts: 33; Member since: Jun 12, 2012

Android = Copycat, soon you will see Google coming up with 3D maps, Siri (Like samsung) etc etc

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 10:06 AM 12

4. Sackboy117

Posts: 178; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

It's like Call of Duty, since 2007, same feature same look same everything, just recycled. But i love CoD.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 10:14 AM 15

22. Jonathan41

Posts: 532; Member since: Mar 22, 2012

He's right. No many changes with CoD over the years.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 11:26 AM 5

6. AndroidShiz

Posts: 154; Member since: Nov 08, 2011

What? Are you talking about the far more advanced 3D map they already announced long before Apple, or the notification shade, or all the new features that they introduced that have been in Android for years? Vlingo also available for years owned by the same company that actually made Siri? Which one will Android copy again? The only similarities between the two now are that they both make phone calls and have touch screens.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 10:16 AM 13

7. sniper1087

Posts: 537; Member since: Dec 31, 2011

Copy cat lol ok 3D maps on android was shown announced previously before WWDC where apple showed their 3D mapping., street look exists on android, and turn by turn navigations is been out for years, copy cat features like notification bar yes ios copied that, no multitasking on ios still how sad is that, when you switch from one app to another on ios u stop the other app completely, offline maps are coming to android, yes no cellular data required to run, facetime with cellular network finally? Took them that many years to get it working? And youtube app still lackluster, you cannot subscribe to people still, pretty lame, voice actions from android have been there since 2009 , so i dont think you can say much since android came with voice integration first.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 10:21 AM 10

8. mafiaprinc3

Posts: 585; Member since: May 07, 2012

what are you talking about,google already has 3d maps,ur so limited to the 2D ios world,u dont know what the real world is like

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 10:22 AM 14

18. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

You are such a brainwashed i5heep troll who actually thinks Siri was the first voice control on a phone. Please stop commenting and at least Google things before you speak.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 10:59 AM 12

20. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

moron alert moron alert google maps went 3d like 2 years ago. Voice commands has been around for about 3 years, and Siri is just now getting updates that put its functionality on par with google's, while google is going for the next evolution beyond that with Majel. S-Voice is nothing but VLingo app, which has been available on android SINCE THE BEGINNING, with the ability to accept multiple statements to do a command... which is all siri does differently. Pretty much every feature that iOS got "updated with new features" to in the last 4 OS updates was catching up to android. Ya just dont get it. Your really want android but you cant admit it. time to come out of the fruit closet and try on the green suit.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 11:23 AM 14

24. Quezdagreat

Posts: 428; Member since: Apr 05, 2012

oh yeah apple is really trying to "catch up" with android. Apple sales has drastically fell off. you guys are so stupid, apple is not trying to be like them.if they did, they could have added live wallpapers and a different lock screen years ago. They're not going to change the look because they want to have their own identity.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 11:36 AM 4

26. SuperAndroidEvo

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

Thanks remixfa, I just got back from lunch so I didn't have time to answer this moron. lol destr0y3r (nice name lol) Just so you know these "new" features have been enjoyed by the Android community for years now. Apple didn't invent anything here, if anything they are emulating Android VERY hard. So who is copying who? Looks like Apple = copy now. I am going to give you credit though. You do the i$heep thing very well. You even got the posting of completely wrong information 100% perfect. You indeed are a great i$heep. Good job giving the Apple fans a good name!

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 11:44 AM 5

37. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

is odd that the fandroids want Apple to be like Android so they can jump to the iphone.. hmmmm btw I tried the green suit.. it under performed, sticking to the fruit.. not too much into desserts.. is bad for you..

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 12:34 PM 4

49. tedkord

Posts: 17356; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

Who said we wanted the iPhone to be like Android? We're just noticing how much Apple apparently wants the iPhone to be like Android, as every year nearly every new feature they drop has been on Android for years.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 2:15 PM 4

53. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

then why bash Apple if it doesn't have Android features???.. fandroids should be happy that Apple is a closed OS and has a close ecosystem but fandroids are always bashing on it. demanding to keep up with Android??

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 2:33 PM 2

56. tedkord

Posts: 17356; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

I bash Apple because they constantly claim others are copying them, while they are copying away. And, even then I wouldn't care, but they take it even further and try to get phones banned and tie OEMs up in court. Let me have the phone I want, and stop acting like a little bitch throwing a tantrum because everyone else can do everything you do and more.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 2:44 PM 8

60. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

but how does it hurt you in any way that you go into every Apple article to say the exact same thing... it doesn't matter what they claim.. don't worry about Apple worry about Android. unless you like Apple?...

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 4:06 PM 1

69. tedkord

Posts: 17356; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

Did you read what I wrote? I don't care what they say. I care that they try to stop me getting the phone I want for bulls**t, made up reasons.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 5:18 PM 1

73. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

how does Apple stops you from getting your phone.. as far as I know only phones have been delayed not stop... but Androids delays phones all the time so explain again how does Apple stops you from getting the phone you want .. or tell me what phone you wanted that Apple stop you, maybe I can write to Mr.. Cook to release that phone don't make excuses for hating Apple because you simply don't have one...

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 7:21 PM 1

85. tedkord

Posts: 17356; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

Look sport, if I wanted an iPhone, I'd have an iPhone. It's not like its a frigging Lambourghini. I paid more to get my Thunderbolt than I would have an iPhone. I was willing to do that because its a better phone. Even if it were a money issue, I could get the free 3GS. You can drop the whole pretense that you think I wish I had one, because you know I don't. Unless, you're also saying that the reason you and Taco jump into so many articles saying that Android us laggy and buggy is because you really wish you could have one. Apple are trying to limit people's choices because they can't compete. Their closed system prevents them from advancing as quickly as the competition. They know this, because they've seen it before, in the 80s with Windows. They know that, without outside interference, their product will become a niche, just like OSX. Honestly, I don't know how you can't be embarrassed that a company you support could in court asset that a tap us a "zero length swipe", therefore tapping an.icon to unlock violates their swipe to unlock patent. A patent based on.something they stole to begin with.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 8:27 PM 2

90. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

just wanted a real reason why you hate Apple and not that childish answer about Apple holding your phone..never said such a thing about me and taco jumping Android articles.. I know it must be hard to anser simple question like a man and so far none of your fandroids have came to rescue you like they always do.... and since you are the one that cant debate like adults.. you will refer to insults and cheap shots.. is it maybe you cant compete... dont care about patents because honestly dont care and you shouldnt either . or are you a developer or something that patents are important to you that you brought them up.. please you dont fool me..

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 11:00 PM 1

91. thelegend6657 unregistered

Dudes you should not come to an iOS article and say it sucks ! When not a lot of people go to ics articles and says it sucks. Most people are pretty amazed by ics including myself . Because it wasn't like the android I know before Ugly and buggy android is gone

posted on Jun 13, 2012, 1:39 AM 1

93. tedkord

Posts: 17356; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

Look, I did answer you. The fact that you can't handle the answer is your problem. They are a whiny, underhanded company that tries to compete through litigation rather than innovation. They are, right now, trying to ban the import of almost every HTC device, and several Samsung devices. I'll tell you what's childish. Crying, "no fair, they copied. Mine was a rectangle first." Especially when you've made an art of copying/stealing. And, don't act like you and taco don't post in articles with bs about android, taco more than you. I didn't hate Apple until a few weeks ago, when it was revealed they're trying to ban over 20 phones. I was going to get my daughter an iPhone for her next upgrade, and an iPad for Christmas. Not anymore.

posted on Jun 13, 2012, 8:48 AM 1

99. clevername

Posts: 1436; Member since: Jul 11, 2008

Ha! I love the blue beetle.

posted on Jun 16, 2012, 2:17 AM 0

31. wsucoug13

Posts: 164; Member since: May 04, 2012

wow you sounds dumb on that one

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 12:17 PM 0

35. good2great

Posts: 1042; Member since: Feb 22, 2012

hahaha d@mn this dude really got you android guys upset... everybody responding saying the SAME THING...lol #deadhorsebeating

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 12:29 PM 2

39. SuperAndroidEvo

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

Yeah some people need to be told a million times. Even with all that an i$heep will always be an i$heep.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 12:36 PM 5

54. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

I thing you guys want attention.. thats why you guys have had the same argument for years now..

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 2:35 PM 1

55. SuperAndroidEvo

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

It's not an argument if it's true. You can't dispute that iOS 6 does resemble Android. Anyway how have you been gallitoking? How are things in the desert? Man I am dying to see AZ.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 2:41 PM 5

62. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

ok maybe is true but why you guys keep repeating it.. trust me u convince no one..but leaving AZ to go to CA.. have a big job offering over there so I will be relocating.. hope one day we can have a few drinks..

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 4:13 PM 3

63. SuperAndroidEvo

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

Ohh $hit. Good for you. That is most excellent news. I hope you are happy at your new job when it starts. My best wishes for you and your family. I am planning a trip to Anaheim CA. I will keep you posted. Maybe we can meet up & have that drink. Again Congrats bro.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 4:42 PM 1

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