Everything you need to know about iOS: What is the history of iOS and how it works

iOS 1-3: iPhone was born and iPad arrived

The first version of iOS shipped pre-installed on the newly introduced iPhone. At that time (June 2007), Apple referred to this operating system as iPhone OS, after three versions the name was changed to iOS.

At the time of arrival, iOS was far behind its competitors such as Windows and Palm OS, but it was well-deserved praise because iPhone had revolutionized how users interact with their phones. Before iOS, smartphones either didn't have a touchscreen or used a resistive touch screen with a stylus. iPhone introduced the mobile world capacitive touchscreen and a simpler yet more powerful user interface. The speed and simplicity of iOS 1 were amazing and remains amazing now.
iOS 1 also came with a mobile browser called Safari that was nearly as efficient and robust as a full desktop browser. Google Maps had been never better on a platform before. This mobile operating system brought several features and apps to the platform ahead of time, Visual Voicemail, iTunes Syn and the software keyboard, to name a few.

iOS 2 made building Native apps by the 3rd-party possible and launched the App Store. Meanwhile, Apple released the iOS SDK, an incredibly useful tool for iOS developers.
With iOS 3 Apple filled a range of gaps in functionality and app update. In this version, iPhone users were offered by an intuitive way of copying a pasting text using magnifier and scrolls. Voice control, MMS, Push notifications, USB & Bluetooth tethering, USB & Bluetooth tethering and Find my iPhone appeared on the iPhone for the first time.
In 2010, Apple updated iOS in order to meet the larger screen of iPad. A sidebar list was added at the left-hand to make navigation easy. Users were able to see the content in the full-screen mode by simply turning the iPad into portrait mode. All this was a sign of the rapid development of the newly launched operating system in the future.

iOS 4-6: Multitasking, Siri, iCloud and much more

aimed at power users, Apple released a major update in 2010. The main feature of iOS 4 was Multitasking. Now you could trigger the list of recently used apps via double pressing home button, then you were able to terminate app by long pressing on them inside the multitasking menu. Home screen folders, Facetime Video chat, Wi-Fi Tethering and Retina Display Support was new in this release.
Siri was available for the first time by iOS 5. It replaced the traditional voice control function and was able to do more than just making a call. Now you could ask questions and transcript text with Siri. The old storage system was replaced by iCloud too.
With iOS 6 Apple has abolished Google Maps and offered improvements in Siri, Notification Center and Facebook integration.

iOS 7-8: Airdrop, Visual overhaul, and opening Up

iOS has received a facelift in 2016. Now users could share files, images, and videos as easy as a pie using Airdrop, an ad hoc sharing system migrated from OSX to iOS. Touch ID also provided an additional security level for iPhone users.
Through iOS 8, Apple finally opened the door for third-party keyboards, a long-waited feature arrived late

iOS 9-10: Low Power Mode and iMessage

iOS 9 came along with major enhancements in speed, stability, and performance as well as Night Shift and Low Power Mode. iMessage, first introduced in iOS 9, made texting in iOS-based devices more convenient and pleasing.

iOS 11-13: Augmented Reality, Mamojo, and Dark Mode

The recent updates of iOS have brought Augmented reality to devices such as iPhone and iPad. Now you have access to Mamojo a kind of personalized Animoji. The cool thing about iOS 13 is that it supports Night Mode and new Portrait Lighting Options.

How Does iOS Work?

The iOS user interface is based on direct manipulation and multi-touch gestures. Apple allows you to interact with apps via gestures such as swipe, tap, pinch, and reverse pinch, all have a specific definition in the operating system. Instead of a mouse, iOS uses virtual buttons and controls to control apps' behavior. For user convenience,this operating system manages everything form battery power to security behind the scene.
Next time you use your iPhone device you have a useful insight into the reach history of iOS development and how it works.