Computing in the Past

• 1972: Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video game console, is released.

• 1980: Sinclair ZX80, an affordable home computer, is introduced by Sinclair Research.

• 1982: Commodore 64, one of the best-selling home computers, is launched.

• 1983: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) revitalizes the video game industry after the crash of 1983.

• 1985: Amiga 1000 by Commodore offers advanced graphics and sound capabilities.

• 1989: Nintendo Game Boy, a handheld gaming console, becomes immensely popular.

• 1990: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) introduces 16-bit gaming.

• 1993: Doom is released, pioneering the first-person shooter genre on PCs.

• 1994: Sony PlayStation enters the gaming market, marking the start of a successful series.

• 1996: Nintendo 64 brings 3D graphics and innovative controller design.

• 1998: Sega Dreamcast is released, introducing features like online gaming.

• 2000: Sony PlayStation 2 becomes a dominant gaming console with DVD playback.

• 2001: Microsoft Xbox enters the console market, setting the stage for future iterations.

• 2004: Nintendo DS offers dual screens and touch capabilities, revolutionizing handheld gaming.

• 2005: Xbox 360 launches with enhanced graphics and online gaming services.

• 2006: PlayStation 3 features powerful hardware and support for high-definition gaming.

• 2012: Raspberry Pi, a low-cost single-board computer, becomes a hobbyist favorite.

• 2013: Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One usher in the current console generation.

• 2017: Nintendo Switch offers both handheld and console gaming modes.

• 2020: Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X|S bring next-gen gaming 

• 2022: Valve Steam Deck launches, pioneering modern PC gaming handhelds with Linux-based SteamOS.

• 2023: ASUS ROG Ally was released on the 13th of June 2023 The Asus ROG Ally Vs The Steam Deck: Handheld Deep Dive, bringing Windows 11 gaming to handheld devices and competing directly with the Steam Deck.

• 2024: ASUS ROG Ally X is released as an upgraded version with improved performance and battery life.

• 2025: Nintendo announced a successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, on January 16, 2025, with it releasing on June 5 in the same year.

Early Computing Era (1961-1980)

• 1961: CTSS (Compatible Time-Sharing System) - Developed at MIT's Computation Center

• 1965: Multics (Multiplexed Information and Computing Service) - Early time-sharing operating system project

• 1970: UNIX - Developed by AT&T's Bell Labs

• 1973: CP/M (Control Program/Monitor) - Popular microcomputer operating system

• 1977: VMS (Virtual Memory System) - Developed by Digital Equipment Corporation

PC Revolution Era (1981-1999)

• 1981: MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) - Developed by Microsoft

• 1984: Macintosh System Software - Early Apple Macintosh operating system

• 1990: Windows 3.0 - Microsoft's first widely successful version of Windows

• 1991: Linux - Developed by Linus Torvalds

• 1995: Windows 95 - Significant GUI-based Windows release

• 1996: Windows NT 4.0 - Introduced Windows NT line for business use

• 1998: Windows 98 - Enhanced version of Windows 95

Modern OS Era (2000-2010)

• 2001: Mac OS X (now macOS) - Major rewrite of the Macintosh operating system

• 2001: Windows XP - Highly popular Windows version

• 2004: Ubuntu - Popular Linux distribution for desktops

• 2006: Windows Vista - Controversial Windows release with enhanced security

• 2007: iOS - Apple's mobile operating system for iPhone

• 2008: Android - Google's mobile operating system

• 2009: Windows 7 - Well-received successor to Windows Vista

Touch and Mobile Era (2010-2020)

• 2011: ChromeOS - Google's cloud-based operating system

• 2012: Windows 8 - Introduced touch-centric interface

• 2013: Windows 8.1 - Refined version of Windows 8

• 2015: Windows 10 - Microsoft's "last version of Windows" with regular updates

• 2016: macOS Sierra - Rebranded from OS X to macOS

• 2017: macOS High Sierra - Focus on performance and stability improvements

• 2018: macOS Mojave - Introduced Dark Mode

• 2019: macOS Catalina - End of 32-bit app support

• 2020: macOS Big Sur - Major visual redesign with iOS-style interface

Current Generation (2021-2025)

• 2021: Windows 11 - Microsoft's redesigned operating system with new requirements

• 2021: macOS Monterey - Universal Control and enhanced continuity features

• 2022: macOS Ventura - Stage Manager and enhanced multitasking

• 2023: macOS Sonoma - Interactive widgets and Game Mode

• 2024: macOS Sequoia - iPhone Mirroring and improved window tiling

• 2025: macOS Sequoia 15.5 - Latest point release with refinements and security updates

Key Mobile OS Milestones

• iOS: Continuous annual updates from iOS 1.0 (2007) to iOS 18+ (2024-2025)

• Android: Regular version releases from Android 1.0 (2008) to Android 15+ (2024-2025)

• iPadOS: Split from iOS in 2019, now on iPadOS 18+ (2024-2025)

Notable Trends and Developments

• Windows 10 End of Support: Windows 10 will no longer be supported after October 2025

• Current Market Leaders: Windows 11 dominates the market with its wide software compatibility, while macOS has built a loyal following among designers and video editors

• Latest macOS: As of November 2024, the latest macOS version available is macOS 15 Sequoia, with macOS Sequoia 15.5, which was released on May 12, 2025