Hidden secrets of OS X and iOS

Link all your Apple devices together to make a whole that is much more than the sum of its parts

The imminent launch of the Apple Watch means the technology giant will soon have devices of all sizes and uses, from wristworn to workstation. Apple’s software covers everything, whether you want to share the sensation of a heartbeat or run a network of servers and workstations. At the centre of this ecosystem is the Mac. Though it’s no longer a requirement for syncing an iPhone or iPad, it’s still at the heart of the company, and software for all Apple devices is developed on it.

OS X Yosemite and iOS 8 pull Macs and mobile devices even closer, enabling you to make and receive phone calls on a MacBook, or send text messages from an iMac.

As for the Watch, initially you’ll need an iPhone to use one, so it too is very much a part of the ecosystem.

Of course, Apple makes additional kit that’s designed to make working with your Mac or iOS device easier, or provide extra features. AirPort Extreme connects Macs and mobile devices to your broadband connection, and Apple TV and AirPort Express stream audio and video over your network to a television or hi-fi. Apple’s wireless keyboard, mouse and trackpad are among the best in their class. Even the neglected Thunderbolt Display is a great addition to using a MacBook at a desk, or as a display for a Mac mini or Mac Pro.

Apple’s software is at least as vital as its hardware. As well as being the glue that binds the whole system together, it makes everything we love about Apple products possible. Beyond Apple’s operating systems there are applications and services. The iWork and iLife apps are a brilliant example of how Apple makes even the most incredible results easy to achieve. And Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X are the first choices for thousands of professionals in the video and audio fields.

Over the next eight pages, we’ll take you inside Apple’s ecosystem and show you how it all fits together.