iOS 5 GM question.

no

I wouldn't update anything, I would let them have it just the way it is.

 

I'd stay with the existing software.

Are there Apple stores in the country where your parents live? Apple offers a Personal Setup session; I'd guess their local store would be willing to set them up if they bought their iPads in another Apple Store.

If not, are there other computer stores selling iPads where your folks live? Stores like that would be an obvious second choice. They might be willing to help your parents upgrade for a small fee.

 

Yes

If I were you, I'll do it.

 

Download the GM and the correct iTunes and do it. It will give them a much better initial impression to have ios5, plus they can message you using iMessage, immediately if you set it up for them, so you can always be on the other end, should they need any help with anything. Much better if you give them iPads with a nice Welcome message and easy steps to get set up instead of the pain of iTunes for them. Let us know what you do! I am buying my parents an iPad and will definitely put GM on it for them as they are not too savvy about updating software and syncing etc.

 

I would not put a beta, even a supposedly GM, version of any s/w on anyone's device. It's not that infrequent that even GMs are tweaked before release, sometimes for major security bugs or power issues. Plus iCloud is likely to get reset again before next Wed's official release.

What I would do is just hold off shipping the iPads to them until iOS5 ships. Then load the official release and set it up for auto syncing so they can do over the air updates from then out and never have to hook it up to a computer.

It's anyone's guess since this is the first OTA version of iOS and Apple hasn't commented on how dev versions will get updated to the release version (assuming there is a difference). Usually iTunes will see the GM as the official release and will not update until the next patch. If you want the official version you have to do a full restore.

 

In the past a gm is usually the same as the final released version. I don't think that has changed.

 

In the past a GM has also been updated before release. If that happens the dev build may not get updates, who knows? Plus, yes, iCloud resets, who knows what else will happen before launch. You'd be giving them a semi-beta OS, it *might* go really well, or they *might* have a really bad first week with lost data, things that go wrong, followed by a trip to you to get the final OS installed.

Best option: have a bit of patience. iOS 5 is out in 7 days.

 

I'd say go for it. It'll make things a lot easier for them down the line because they won't need to hook it up to a computer to update software, etc. Plus everything will get backed up to iCloud.

 

We do not know what will happen between now and the final/official release. Last minute issues could arise. Those that advise you to wait are spot on.