Will Apple bring iOS, iPadOS, and macOS into one unified operating system?

Many tech believers still remember Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Development, Craig Federighi once said at WWDC 2018, thereby ending rumors of a possible merger between iOS and macOS right in the presentation. .

Apple’s general operating system – Source: Internet

The audience in the hall and the TV audience witnessed the powerful performance, disappointing those wishing to combine the two operating systems.

In the past, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the same thing in many interviews. However, it is clear that Apples are working to merge not only 2 but all 3 operating systems into 1. This is suggested by some factor, not coincidence.

Apple computers, smartphones, and tablets have nearly identical hardware

One of Apple’s major breakthroughs this year is the launch of its own M1 processor and three integrated models, the MacBook Air / Pro and Mac mini.

Microprocessor uniformity is the source of cross-platform consolidation – Source: Internet

The new chip is developed on a SoC crystal platform and incorporates most of the components previously located on the motherboard. This makes Apple’s new computers as close to the company’s smartphones and tablets as possible.

The unified architecture of mobile phones and computers is a sign that devices will soon run on common operating systems.

Developers from Apple will find running iOS or iPadOS on new Macs with the M1 easier than tweaking the previous macOS code.

In any case, Apple will have two operating systems running on the same hardware. Developing and maintaining both operating systems at the same time will be very impractical in the future.

Cross-platform applications in Xcode are easier to create

Almost all the work required to adjust the software for ARM chips, experts of “Apple” have done. Third-party software developers for the Apple operating system can easily migrate their solutions from one platform to another.

Multi-platform developer apps – Source: Internet

This is done with minimal changes in the Xcode environment, and simple projects are completely rebuilt in automated mode. You just need to check the appropriate checkboxes in your own project.

This brings apps from the mobile App Store and the App Store on your Mac as close together as possible. In a year or two, almost all of the apps in the store can become cross-platform (except, of course, WhatsApp and Instagram).

Handoff has long alluded to a unified operating system

While Tim Cook and Apple have previously denied rumors of an impending merger between macOS and iOS, some ecosystem features actually hint at the process.

Handoff – Source: Internet

Handoff and Continuous are supposed to work in the same app on different devices. When you read the article in Safari on iPhone and continue reading on Mac. At the same time, Apple created the document in Pages on your Mac, and then you can easily continue editing it on your iPad. Really “cool” is not it.

This is not a record of common changes in the cloud, but a continuation of work in the same application, only with a different interface for certain OS versions.

Apple has implemented this in most of its standards programs and strongly encourages third-party developers to add such changes to their cross-platform applications.

Ideally, identical apps on Mac, iPhone, and iPad should direct users to a common operating system.

Each year, macOS, iOS, and iPadOS share more and more in common

Almost every major operating system update brings features from your mobile device to your PC and vice versa.

General design on the operating systems – Source: Internet

The process towards the convergence above was done in 2014, in macOS X 10.10 Yosemite, then iOS, they merged the icon design and for user convenience with the exported Handoff capabilities. show.

Two years later, macOS and iOS have nearly the same set of standard apps, and Mac computers have Siri from iOS and Apple Pay support.

This year’s system update practically unified unique designs and looks, the Mac has the same Control Center feature, and the iPadOS has Spotlight search with enhanced capabilities.

In recent years, Apple tablets and smartphones have gained full keyboard support, learned to work with external operators and with one of the iOS 13 updates, they even even has its own screen pointer.

Apple makes no secret of the fact that many standard apps have long been developed in a cross-platform mode.

macOS became the closed operating system and iOS became more open

The main basic difference between the 2 systems is access. The desktop operating system gives users maximum options for customizing and managing data, while iOS does almost nothing.

The traditional tablet and computer limit is gradually demolished – Source: Internet

Such a distinction has long been established, but in recent years the situation has changed.

In the mobile operating system, the file manager has been minified, but quite suitable has emerged. The system has learned to “read” external drives and connecting a USB flash drive or memory card has become much simpler and easier. Every year, more settings and customizations are added to iOS.

Software adaptation problems will be eliminated

All tools are available to ensure that programs developed for Intel processors run without problems on Apple ARM processors. To do this, Apple implemented their own set of commands and instructions called Rosetta 2.

Rosetta 2 Symbol – Source: Internet

The environment allows you to run any macOS-compatible software written for older Mac versions on new ARM chip-based computers. The operating environment has no issues to complain about, there is a slight decrease in performance and an increase in battery consumption on the laptop.

Nobody stops Apple from creating a similar emulator environment for Rosetta 3 during system integration and waiting for developers to perfect applications for the new system.

Launched at WWDC 2020, Universal 2 allows software and game creators to compile code instantly for compatibility with M1 and Intel processors.

Universal 2 and new functions launched this year – Source: Internet

The same system can be launched during transition to single operating system to facilitate the creation of cross-platform applications.

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The Mac Catalyst app migration toolkit (formerly Project Catalyst) lets you quickly adapt apps written for iPad to the larger display of an Apple computer.

All of these software tools make the transition to Apple’s new processor architecture as comfortable as possible for developers. Apple will also take care of the software creator while integrating their systems.

What challenges need to be addressed before incorporating the systems

Apple has 2 main issues that definitely need to be addressed before merging iOS and macOS.

The challenge Apple faces – Source: Internet

First, you need to combine iPad and MacBook. Now, office applications on a tablet don’t work 100% because of the omitted keyboard and limited connectivity of the mouse or touchpad.

The MacBook computer in turn does not receive touchscreen support, as was the case with Windows.

The “MacPad” line of devices appears to be the new solution. Owning the advantage of a tablet with a touch screen, which can be turned into a complete computer to meet the needs of the work.

The second problem is the set of applications that are available to the operating system when merged. Now, in iOS and iPadOS, programs are strictly censored to hit the shelves on the App Store and in macOS, you can install any 3rd party software, which for some reason doesn’t respond. Apple policy.

With the consolidation of systems, though, opening access to any software on the iPhone is quite risky. You will have to make a certain choice and use only one of the device models.

When to expect a single operating system

Apple’s unified operating system, while it seems like a logical round of evolution, certainly won’t happen as quickly in the next few years. Now, all Apple employees are focused on translating different types of computers into the language of their own chips.

Will Apple products run a common operating system? – Source: Internet

One of the slides in the summer of WWDC 2020, Cook promised to complete the transition from Intel to Apple’s M-series chips in the next two years. This means that all current models from 2021 onwards will certainly be equipped with Apple ARM chips.

Don’t forget about the long support period for older Apple computers. It is unlikely that Apple will release a single operating system, as the product line has a large number of supported Intel models.

This will require adapting the operating system to the “foreign” platform and will also open the door to the army of hackers.

Will the MacBook, iPhone and iPad run the same OS? – Source: Internet

The support cycle for older Macs is between 6 and 7 years. With the upcoming move to ARM chips, it might be down a bit, but not by much. Chances are, you’ll have to wait until the latest Mac with Intel processors turns 5 years old.

The wait time for a single operating system on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac will be around the years 2027-2029, and logically, those who own an iPhone 13s or an iPhone 14 can be upgraded to it.

By: iPhones