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iPadOS is a variant of iOS designed specifically for Apple's iPad devices. Introduced in 2019, iPadOS was created to distinguish the iPad's capabilities from the iPhone, offering features optimized for the larger screen and more powerful hardware. Below is the version history of iPadOS with key features and corresponding Wikipedia URLs for further reference.

iPadOS 17 introduced new personalization features, including interactive widgets, improved lock screen customization, and enhanced Stage Manager multitasking capabilities. The update also added significant health-related features and improved PDF handling for productivity apps. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPadOS_17

iPadOS 16 brought a host of new features, including Stage Manager for enhanced multitasking, which allowed users to resize app windows and work with multiple overlapping windows. This version also introduced improvements to the Files app, better collaboration tools, and external display support for select iPad models. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPadOS_16

iPadOS 15 introduced a redesigned home screen with widgets that could be placed among apps, better multitasking controls, and the App Library, which organizes apps automatically. Other improvements included system-wide Quick Note integration, Universal Control for better cross-device interactions with macOS, and enhanced privacy features. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPadOS_15

iPadOS 14 brought design refinements that leveraged the larger screen, including compact call notifications and a redesigned Siri interface. It also introduced enhanced Apple Pencil features, such as Scribble, which allowed users to write in any text field with the Apple Pencil. The update also improved handwriting recognition and brought app-sidebars similar to macOS for better app navigation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPadOS_14

iPadOS 13 was the first release of the iPadOS brand, splitting the operating system from iOS to better reflect the unique features of the iPad. Key features included improved multitasking with Slide Over and Split View, enhanced Apple Pencil integration, and support for external drives in the Files app. This version also introduced desktop-class browsing with Safari on the iPad, making it more capable as a productivity tool. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPadOS_13

iPadOS has evolved significantly since its introduction, with each version bringing new capabilities to take advantage of the iPad's larger display and advanced hardware. From enhanced multitasking features to better integration with Apple Pencil and external peripherals, iPadOS has set the iPad apart from iPhone devices and made it a more versatile tool for both productivity and creativity. Each version has introduced improvements that leverage the iPad's strengths, ensuring it remains a powerful and flexible platform for users.

Snippet from Wikipedia: MacOS version history

The history of macOS, Apple's current Mac operating system formerly named Mac OS X until 2011 and then OS X until 2016, began with the company's project to replace its "classic" Mac OS. That system, up to and including its final release Mac OS 9, was a direct descendant of the operating system Apple had used in its Mac computers since their introduction in 1984. However, the current macOS is a UNIX operating system built on technology that had been developed at NeXT from the 1980s until Apple purchased the company in early 1997.

macOS components derived from BSD include multiuser access, TCP/IP networking, and memory protection.

Although it was originally marketed as simply "version 10" of Mac OS (indicated by the Roman numeral "X"), it has a completely different codebase from Mac OS 9, as well as substantial changes to its user interface. The transition was a technologically and strategically significant one. To ease the transition for users and developers, versions 10.0 through 10.4 were able to run Mac OS 9 and its applications in the Classic Environment, a compatibility layer.

macOS was first released in 1999 as Mac OS X Server 1.0. It was built using the technologies Apple acquired from NeXT, but did not include the signature Aqua user interface (UI). The desktop version aimed at regular users—Mac OS X 10.0—shipped in March 2001. Since then, several more distinct desktop and server editions of macOS have been released. Starting with Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, macOS Server is no longer offered as a standalone operating system; instead, server management tools are available for purchase as an add-on. The macOS Server app was discontinued on April 21, 2022, and will stop working on macOS 13 Ventura or later. Starting with the Intel build of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, most releases have been certified as Unix systems conforming to the Single UNIX Specification.

Lion was referred to by Apple as "Mac OS X Lion" and sometimes as "OS X Lion"; Mountain Lion was officially referred to as just "OS X Mountain Lion", with the "Mac" being completely dropped. The operating system was further renamed to "macOS" starting with macOS Sierra.

macOS retained the major version number 10 throughout its development history until the release of macOS 11 Big Sur in 2020.

Mac OS X 10.0 and 10.1 were given names of big cats as internal code names ("Cheetah" and "Puma"). Starting with Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, big-cat names were used as marketing names; starting with OS X 10.9 Mavericks, names of locations in California were used as marketing names instead.

The current major version, macOS 15 Sequoia, was announced on June 10, 2024, at WWDC 2024 and released on September 16 of that year.

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