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Did Apple intentionally allow non-developers access to iOS 7?

tmanto02

tmanto02

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 5, 2011
1,223
468
Australia
It is common knowledge amongst MacRumors that anyone can install the beta versions of iOS 7 simply by downloading it and "upgrading" without being a developer.

This was also the case with previous iOS releases.

My question is whether or not Apple does this intentionally to test the OS on more devices without liability?

I say yes...


:)
 
tmanto02 said:
It is common knowledge amongst MacRumors that anyone can install the beta versions of iOS 7 simply by downloading it and "upgrading" without being a developer.

This was also the case with previous iOS releases.

My question is whether or not Apple does this intentionally to test the OS on more devices without liability?

I say yes...


:)
Click to expand...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1594304/

You should probably edit the first part.

As for your question, I think Apple understands that power users will want to test the beta and that's why they don't completely seal off access to iOS 7 beta. But they also understand that it shouldn't be for the masses who don't understand or wouldn't function well on a beta, so they make it obscure enough that you would have to do a bit of digging before you can run the software, and all at your own risk of course.
 
I don't see what Apple loses by doing so.

I think that developers gain more from that, because their apps being 'reviewed' on iOS7 by more people
 
aimee.elizabeth said:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1594304/

You should probably edit the first part.

As for your question, I think Apple understands that power users will want to test the beta and that's why they don't completely seal off access to iOS 7 beta. But they also understand that it shouldn't be for the masses who don't understand or wouldn't function well on a beta, so they make it obscure enough that you would have to do a bit of digging before you can run the software, and all at your own risk of course.
Click to expand...

what's a power user?
 
I am going to say yes. it is FAR too easy to install and update.

I think having enough interested people in the beta doesn't hurt at all. It has gone a bit viral
 
dukebound85 said:
what's a power user?
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_user

Pertaining to Apple, you can call them Apple fanboys I suppose. Pretty much the people you see on this forum supposedly "complaining" about every minor detail. I like to disregard people's opinions on aesthetics because it's very subjective and not very important to me, but opinions on the functionality of something is of more importance. So yes, these nitpicky people here are power users.
 
I don't see how this hurts Apple. Since it gives them more feedback. But i don't think they go out of their way to advertise that you can just click update and have ios 7 on your phone right now. It still is suppose to be for developers, but the more beta testers they have. The better for Apple.
 
The way this hurts Apple is that some people already pass judgement on iOS 7 before it's even a finished product. When negative thoughts gets around it could damage the reputation of the OS.



This is one of the reasons Rene Richie from iMore wrote that letter for people who wanted to beta test. "Stay classy" etc.
 
Armen said:
The way this hurts Apple is that some people already pass judgement on iOS 7 before it's even a finished product. When negative thoughts gets around it could damage the reputation of the OS.



This is one of the reasons Rene Richie from iMore wrote that letter for people who wanted to beta test. "Stay classy" etc.
Click to expand...

But if we all know it's a beta and will get better, no one should judge negatively.
 
Such a small number of developers and non-developers out together end up using or even trying a beta that it likely doesn't matter that much one way or another if there are some non-devs that end up using it too.
 
I don't think they intentionally made that loophole, but I think they know non developers will get it and I think it can be helpful to see a wider usage of the beta, and maybe different usage than a developer.

As long as most doing it are technically inclined to know what a beta is, then I see nothing wrong with it. Many have 2 iPhones and try it on one, but when too many joe users do it, and end up calling tech support or going to the apple store with issues in ios7 then they might at least tighten up that loophole.

But they will always allow developers to install it on multiple devices, so you will always have friends of developers trying it.
 
Did Apple intentionally allow non-developers access to iOS 7?

I think the individuals who complain about things not working properly are the people who don't understand what beta is about and simply misunderstand the expectations of a beta.

Whether a registered developer or someone who is just wanting to experience the growth of something new, one has to understand that a beta is to provide constructive feedback to help with the main goal; the final product. That understanding needs to come with the expectation that beta testing is all about trial & error, change, and new ideas. There has to be an acceptance that things will not be smooth and things will not work correctly or even at all.

I myself am not a registered developer, but wanted to be part of something substantial and experience the growth of something new. I also went into testing the iOS 7 betas knowing, understanding and accepting the proper expectations. I post bugs I notice on forums like this in hopes that I'm not the only one who notices them and the feedback gets back to apple to try and improve their development. Plus for me, it's fun. So, to whoever reads this posting, I hope you are able to take something from this and apply in to your view on things. If you are one understands what beta is, then great. If you are one who doesn't quite capture the essence of beta, I hope this helps change your perspective a little. :)
 
Last edited:
slynger said:
Even though people know they shouldn't judge it because of its Beta stage, doesn't mean they necessarily won't.
Click to expand...

People complain, yes. But no one should judge and say that these beta releases are going to be an absolute reflection of the finished product in September. Things will change and get better. It sucks that things are buggy and people only complain because they expect way too much by using it as their main device OS (which is dumb). I'll admit, I have iOS 7 on all my devices currently, but I'm not complaining or even judging the OS since it's not the finished product. I'm really excited to be using the beta version and can't wait until the final release is done.
 
FuriousJones said:
I also went into testing the iOS 7 betas knowing, understanding and accepting the proper expectations.
Click to expand...

I agree with all of what you said, but unfortunately a lot of people don't know, understand or can't accept this.

I am not a registered developer and I fully understand whats in store for me, bugs and lag (and their are plenty), but I do so at my own risk and I do browse this forum to see what others have to say and maybe learn something new in the "all the little things" thread.

I'm not really surprised by the amount of threads that are created daily of people complaining about issues, but their have been several moments that I think to myself "how does this person not grasp the concept that this is a beta OS and lag and issues will be a factor"
 
falconeight said:
It wasn't intentional. Some foo pushed the red button.
Click to expand...
Since it's been like this at least since iOS 6 and it's pretty clear enough people at Apple would know about it, especially by now, even if it wasn't intentional initially the fact that it's still there to this day means that Apple either doesn't really care or actually wants it that way for one reason or another.
 
I don't think they really mind, just like how you can jailbreak iOS as well. You can do it, but you're on your own if anything happens.
 
Decimotox said:
People complain, yes. But no one should judge and say that these beta releases are going to be an absolute reflection of the finished product in September. Things will change and get better. It sucks that things are buggy and people only complain because they expect way too much by using it as their main device OS (which is dumb). I'll admit, I have iOS 7 on all my devices currently, but I'm not complaining or even judging the OS since it's not the finished product. I'm really excited to be using the beta version and can't wait until the final release is done.
Click to expand...

I agree completely. I was just pointing out that people are quick to complain regardless. If people took the time and thought through the process there would probably be fewer "iOS 7 is terrible" threads.
 
slynger said:
I agree completely. I was just pointing out that people are quick to complain regardless. If people took the time and thought through the process there would probably be fewer "iOS 7 is terrible" threads.
Click to expand...
Those kinds of threads mostly exist because of the overall new design decisions which aren't exactly beta related all that much (although small parts certainly get tweaked here and there).
 
Armen said:
The way this hurts Apple is that some people already pass judgement on iOS 7 before it's even a finished product. When negative thoughts gets around it could damage the reputation of the OS.



This is one of the reasons Rene Richie from iMore wrote that letter for people who wanted to beta test. "Stay classy" etc.
Click to expand...

It doesn't make much difference, I've even seen developers slating it, they'd get negativity either way
 
Armen said:
The way this hurts Apple is that some people already pass judgement on iOS 7 before it's even a finished product. When negative thoughts gets around it could damage the reputation of the OS.



This is one of the reasons Rene Richie from iMore wrote that letter for people who wanted to beta test. "Stay classy" etc.
Click to expand...

First of all, the people that pass judgment are such a miniscule amount that its not worth it for apple's market share to be effected. Secondly, of that small number thats complaining, exactly what are they complaining about. "I don't like the icons", "I don't like the slide up for control centre", "uhhh i don't like the new notification centre", "i dont like the font" etc etc. these are all banal subjective things. They really don't matter. The core functionality of the iphone, the ease of use, the apps, the shinyness, that hasn't changed.

When a new user picks up an ios 7 device, he/she will automatically like it more than ios6. because thats how apple and good design works. it will always look newer and better. Its like a new car model coming out by a good car manufacturer, it suddenly makes the older thing, which was hotness just moments ago, seem dated.

so really the people complaining about these small things have a very small circle of influence. They can complain all they want on the forums, but to any third party outside us group of early testers they might complain to, their arguments must seem kind of insane. "waahhhh i dont like the flatter icons".

and even of that small group of complainers, really how many truly will jump ship? so in the end, a fraction of a fraction of a fraction becomes a very meaningless thing to apple. compare that to what they will gain in marketshare from a new shiny look. i dont think thats insignificant.
 
Apple doesn't care and has never cared. Their pockets are lined with our cash, they're a business they couldn't give a flying f about their product, as long as it makes them money they're fine.
 
I would say, definitely, yes!
I don't think Apple would ever allow this by mistake.

If they wanted to, they could easily restrict iOS7 to only work on registered devices.
 
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