iOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its mobile devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. It was first introduced in January 2007 alongside the first-generation iPhone and has since evolved through many versions, with the latest stable release being iOS 18 as of September 2024
. The name "iOS" stands for "iPhone Operating System," reflecting its original design for the iPhone, although it now powers multiple Apple devices. It is based on macOS and incorporates components from the Mach microkernel and FreeBSD, making it a Unix-like operating system
. iOS features a multi-touch graphical user interface that supports intuitive gestures like tapping, swiping, and pinching. It offers a seamless ecosystem with features such as iCloud storage, AirDrop, Face ID, Touch ID, Siri (Apple's voice assistant), and access to millions of apps via the App Store. The system is proprietary software, with some open-source components, and is known for its strong security, stylish design, and ease of use
. In summary, iOS is the software platform that powers Apple's mobile devices, enabling them to run applications and perform tasks with a user-friendly interface and integrated features tailored to Apple's hardware ecosystem
