6 reviews

iPhone OS

Released June, 2007

The Pros:Mature application store. Multi-touch user interface. Open GL ES as graphics API.

The Cons:No general multi-tasking (only specific Apple application use cases). Application store is too restrictive for developers (many rejected apps, takes long for Apple to review ). Cloud integration with MobileMe lackluster compared to Android & Google services.

The iPhone OS is the operating system developed by Apple Inc. for the iPhone and iPod touch. This operating system did not have an official name until the release of the first beta version of the iPhone SDK on March 6, 2008.

Before then, Apple marketing literature simply stated that the "iPhone uses OS X," a reference to Apple's desktop operating system, Mac OS X. iPhone OS has four abstraction layers: the Core OS layer, the Core Services layer, the Media layer, and the Cocoa Touch layer. Some multitasking is permitted, but it is not obtrusive or obvious, and it is limited to Apple's own applications. OpenGL ES is used as graphics API. As of Nov. 4, 2009, there are over 100,000 applications officially available for the iPhone, and 2 billion downloads had been achieved. On September 9, 2009, Apple announced version 3.1 of the iPhone OS.

User Reviews (6)

Add Pros & Cons

ProScore

Pros

7

mature application store
7

multi-touch user interface
7

Open GL ES as graphics API
7

intuitive user-interface
5

OS updates itself often
3

integration with iTunes
3

A centralised Application store makes it easy to find, compare and install the right applications.
3

Device is backed up every time it is synced, with encrypted backups available to protect personal data.
2

Excellent developer tools available free to download.
2

Excellent music and video player built in
2

Screen input turns off automatically when the phone is in the pocket, making it nearly impossible to accidentally place a call.
2

Virtual keyboard makes it easy to switch between different languages, you are not stuck with QWERTY.
2

OS is used by an increasing number of different devices with iPhones, iPod touch and now the iPad supported.
2

Metadata like phone numbers and addresses is automatically detected and made ready for interaction. For example, user can tap on a phone number on a web page to call that number or add it to the address book.
1

Applications are reviewed means no spyware / crapware ever makes it to your phone.
1

Fast application approval process means most applications approved within 24 hours
1

A huge selection of applications of just about any kind from games to office to mind mapping to ... whatever you want.
1

Centralised developer-friendly app store means developers do not need to spend money on advertising and distribution.
1

Unlike other platforms, apps bought on one iPhone OS device will work on others, so an app bought on iPhone will also work on your iPod touch, and your next iPhone.
1

Multimedia and network integration support from the ground up.
1

OS based on mature, stable and secure BSD UNIX.
1

Unlike other platform, supports all languages from the ground up.
1

Synchronisation with Mac, Windows and Google out of the box.
1

While web-friendly, user data is held on the device, not in the cloud.
0

Copy and paste works just fine in V3, V1 & 2 upgradeable to V3.
0

Most applications cost less than a cup of coffee.
0

A modern operating system designed specifically for multitouch user interface from the ground up, not a desktop OS on a portable device.
0

Fastest and most standards compliant Web browser (shared with Android)
0

Fastest javascript engine (shared with Android)
0

Excellent support for standard IMAP/POP3/SMTP based email as well as the Microsoft proprietary Exchange protocols.

Cons

3

no general multi-tasking (only specific Apple application use cases)
3

application store is too restrictive for developers (many rejected apps, takes long for Apple to review )
0

cloud integration with MobileMe lackluster compared to Android & Google services
0

Virtual keyboard takes a few minutes to get used to and lacks tactile feedback.
-1

no copy & paste in versions 1 & 2
-1

only runs on the expensive iPhones
-1

cloud integration with MobileMe costs $99/year
-2

can run slow and not without hiccups
-2

WAY too many accidental phone calls because of the UI