Apple should announce during today’s WWDC keynote a new old name for its iOS mobile operating system powering the iPhone and iPod touch devices, calling it iPhoneOS.
The supposed return of iOS to its original name was first publicly predicted by prolific leaker Jon Prosser who in the past few months has established a strong track record reporting on Apple’s secret plans. The leaker went on to clarify that any possible hardware announcements from Apple have been scrapped for today’s WWDC keynote.
iPhone OS.
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) June 18, 2020
The reasoning behind the alleged iOS name change could be that “iPhoneOS” better aligns with Apple’s current branding scheme for its many operating systems: iPadOS powers the iPad tablets, watchOS runs on the Apple Watch wearables, macOS (which was previously called OS X) drives your Mac computers whereas tvOS denotes the software powering the Apple TV.
As Apple split iOS into two branches – iPadOS for iPads and iOS for the iPhone and iPod touch devices — it makes sense to rename iOS to just iPhoneOS (better yet, how about phoneOS)?
If true, the change would mark a return for iOS to its original name.
Looking like any possible hardware has been scrapped for WWDC tomorrow 🤔
Might be wrong about this one. Would love to be wrong!
I’ll be surprised with all of you, either way!
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) June 21, 2020
On the other hand, another prolific leaker who goes by the handle @L0vetodream this morning tweeted that there will be no name change for iOS today. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that that account’s track record, whilst strong, is not as strong as Prosser’s.
in my dream
no rename for IOS, homepage redesigned。widgets supported, Apps alignment changed, added more app clips, something like mini applications, Incoming call for iPhone is not forced full screen.— 有没有搞措 (@L0vetodream) June 22, 2020
Interestingly, Apple did not give any special name to the first iteration of its touch-focused mobile operating system. After the original iPhone arrived back in 2007, the official documentation stated the device was powered by a version of its desktop operating system.
And let me point out I said “iOS” as in iOS 14. Have seen some rumors of a name change to “iPhoneOS” – but that, along with many recent claims this year, likely isn’t based in truth.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) June 21, 2020
Here’s a video of the original keynote in which Steve Jobs announces the iPhone runs OS X.
The iPhoneOS name was first publicly mentioned with the official introduction of the iPhone software development kit (SDK) in March 2008 and continued until 2010, when Apple revealed the iOS name to better brand the mobile software which at that point was already powering three distinct form factors: the iPhone, the iPad and the iPod touch.
I had two sources tell me no hardware for WWDC tomorrow. They aren’t on WWDC related teams but heard it through the Apple grapevine. I’d take this with a grain of salt, but thought it was worth mentioning.
— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) June 21, 2020
How do you feel about the iPhoneOS name? Would it better reflect Apple’s OS naming scheme?
Share your thoughts with fellow readers in the commenting section down below!