The announcement also marks a change in how Apple signifies its major updates to iOS. Under the previous marketing scheme, this year’s major release would have been iOS 19 — the direct follow-up to iOS 18. But now, Apple’s big iOS updates will be numbered based on the year following their introduction
Well that’s interesting. I was certain The Verge was trying to be funny. But this tracks, now Apple has Biggest Number™.
It’s not a matter of biggest number, it’s a matter of consistency.
They have five operating systems, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
So currently we have macOS 15, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 & visionOS 2. That’s absolute confusion. Do I have the latest version? Dropping support for an older version, how many years ago was that?
A version number should convey useful information, and the year it was released is useful information. Especially when major updates come every year.
Edit: I forgot tvOS, also version 18. So six operating systems.
I was just discussing this with a friend, I have no clue these days what iOS or macOS version is the latest. I guess this does help but it feels like a Windows 8 to 10 jump in steroids
It’s not a matter of biggest number, it’s a matter of consistency.
They have five operating systems, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
So currently we have macOS 15, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 & visionOS 2. That’s absolute confusion. Do I have the latest version? Dropping support for an older version, how many years ago was that?
I don’t disagree with you on principle, but I still think the implementation is fucking bonkers.
A version number should convey useful information, and the year it was released is useful information. Especially when major updates come every year.
Major updates should come when they’re needed, not on a set schedule. CVEs don’t wait. Yes, I know patches and security updates are a thing. I still think it’s ridiculous. And I absolutely blame Apple for setting the “new thing every year” trend in motion.
Yes, but Samsung went from S10 to S20 -> 21 -> 22, etc. That move made sense. And even skipping the Note 6 for the (ill-fated) Note 7 made sense as that was just a single number skipped.
iOS 18 -> iOS 26 makes absolutely no sense. Maybe wait until iOS 20, then release iOS 30? IDK, but this is Apple we’re talking about. Sense was never in the cards.
Well that’s interesting. I was certain The Verge was trying to be funny. But this tracks, now Apple has Biggest Number™.
Edit: This has to be a joke. Who the fuck thought this up? I can’t take this seriously…
It’s not a matter of biggest number, it’s a matter of consistency.
They have five operating systems, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
So currently we have macOS 15, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 & visionOS 2. That’s absolute confusion. Do I have the latest version? Dropping support for an older version, how many years ago was that?
A version number should convey useful information, and the year it was released is useful information. Especially when major updates come every year.
Edit: I forgot tvOS, also version 18. So six operating systems.
I was just discussing this with a friend, I have no clue these days what iOS or macOS version is the latest. I guess this does help but it feels like a Windows 8 to 10 jump in steroids
what would you have them do? anything else would be just as arbitrary.
I don’t disagree with you on principle, but I still think the implementation is fucking bonkers.
Major updates should come when they’re needed, not on a set schedule. CVEs don’t wait. Yes, I know patches and security updates are a thing. I still think it’s ridiculous. And I absolutely blame Apple for setting the “new thing every year” trend in motion.
Samsung has been doing that with their Galaxy for a while.
Yes, but Samsung went from S10 to S20 -> 21 -> 22, etc. That move made sense. And even skipping the Note 6 for the (ill-fated) Note 7 made sense as that was just a single number skipped.
iOS 18 -> iOS 26 makes absolutely no sense. Maybe wait until iOS 20, then release iOS 30? IDK, but this is Apple we’re talking about. Sense was never in the cards.
iOS 18 > 26 doesn’t make sense, but from 26 onwards it’s not a problem.
Can’t wait for the release of CUPS 26…
🙄🙄
CUPS doesn’t have a yearly release schedule. iOS does.
I’m aware. Just making a tongue-in-cheek jab.