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iOS 5 to Finally Deliver Over-The-Air Updates?

Friscohoya said:
But backups and updates are critical for such a device. That is my whole point... Are you arguing that it does not need ota syncing or just arguing? Obviously its serviceable without tethering, but you do need to sync it to a computer for it to work. Thats like if I had to plug my scooter into my car just to get it going. It makes it a luxury and not a necessity.
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OMG, stop with car analogies. Cars are not analogous to computers.

Your computer can't backup by itself, either. You need backup software and hardware to do so. Backing up to the same drive is possible, but stupid. And before you say that SL and Win7 include backup software, the last few years is the first time any PC ever did. I guess all those PCs from 1975 until Time Machine came out weren't actually computers, either.

My kids' graphing calculator is a computer. Get over your semantics.
 
johncarync said:
Here's my guess as to how it will work based on how simple Apple likes to make things for the end user:
  • We will have a setting we can turn off or on in our iOS device preferences to have our OS updates downloaded over our phone provider's data connection (Edge, 3G and 4G when it comes out)
  • Our phone provider will not count OS updates against our data plans--they will be free.
  • Downloads will occur in the background to the user.
  • Downloads will happen when our phone provider's network is not being taxed (like at 3am).
  • If the iOS device's battery level reaches a certain point (30% left?), the download will pause until the battery is recharged.
  • Downloads can start and stop as needed. When the download starts again, it will pick up right where it left off.
  • If the user is on the Edge network, it could take a week or more of off-and-on downloading but it's not taxing the provider's network and the user doesn't know it's happening.
  • If the user knows an update is out there and would like to get it before the background download completes, they can always apply the update by connecting to their computer.
  • When the download is complete, the user will be notified that an update is available and asks if they would like to apply it (after backing up their data to iCloud?).

This sounds like the "Apple way" to me.
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Yeah, I'm happy with a wire.
 
Hello,

IMO: Apple will introduce incremental updates. iOS is based on UNIX like OS X. There should be no deal in upgrading binaries and libraries. Other unix and linux distros do this for years.

Incremental updates will simplify jailbreaking. A jailbroken device can decide on its own which updates to fetch und which parts (that break the jailbreak) to leave on the server.

Over here in Germany we have good data plans with 5GB/month with really good HSDPA coverage with up to 21mbit/s . I personally can't understand why apple still requires wifi for bigger apps.

bye
Darky
 
johncarync said:
Here's my guess as to how it will work based on how simple Apple likes to make things for the end user:
  • We will have a setting we can turn off or on in our iOS device preferences to have our OS updates downloaded over our phone provider's data connection (Edge, 3G and 4G when it comes out)
  • Our phone provider will not count OS updates against our data plans--they will be free.
  • Downloads will occur in the background to the user.
  • Downloads will happen when our phone provider's network is not being taxed (like at 3am).
  • If the iOS device's battery level reaches a certain point (30% left?), the download will pause until the battery is recharged.
  • Downloads can start and stop as needed. When the download starts again, it will pick up right where it left off.
  • If the user is on the Edge network, it could take a week or more of off-and-on downloading but it's not taxing the provider's network and the user doesn't know it's happening.
  • If the user knows an update is out there and would like to get it before the background download completes, they can always apply the update by connecting to their computer.
  • When the download is complete, the user will be notified that an update is available and asks if they would like to apply it (after backing up their data to iCloud?).

This sounds like the "Apple way" to me.
Click to expand...

I would agree with pretty much everything you said except for backing up your data to iCloud. Perhaps it will be a feature, but I have to imagine Apple will be charging for it (maybe part of new MobileMe subscription, maybe not) but consider as of April, apple has sold over 187 million iDevices... no way they are going to allow all of those users (some who have 64gb ipod touches and iPads) to back up their data to a cloud for free... we are talking BILLIONS potentially TRILLIONS of gigabytes of data they would be storing for us. Certainly it would be nice, and I wouldn't complain about it, but I just don't see it happening, at least not for free.

If apple were able to charge they would cut down the number of people interested in the service, and they would also be able to recuperate some costs from such a huge venture. Just my .02
 
JAT said:
So...are you on VZW? Do you actually have a care in this matter, or is it just another way to rant on others?

AT&T still has people on $30 unlimited because they are grandfathered in. So will VZW, if they actually change the plans.
Click to expand...

I read my Verizon TOS. Then I called since I am considering adding a line. Unfortunately they don't grandfather their plans. However after I spoke with a supervisor, I understand how they have their data only, structured. It's very smart of them, designed to make money for Verizon, without adding complications for the customer.

In the ten years I've been with them about the only drawback is they do tend to be the most expensive. But you get what you pay for. So now I'm clear that unlimited is month to month and can be eliminated at any time. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
 
maclaptop said:
I read my Verizon TOS. Then I called since I am considering adding a line. Unfortunately they don't grandfather their plans. However after I spoke with a supervisor, I understand how they have their data only, structured. It's very smart of them, designed to make money for Verizon, without adding complications for the customer.

In the ten years I've been with them about the only drawback is they do tend to be the most expensive. But you get what you pay for. So now I'm clear that unlimited is month to month and can be eliminated at any time. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
Click to expand...

Well I'm pretty sure that if they change your data plan, you are allowed to opt out of contract without paying ETF.
 
ipedro said:
This almost requires that iCloud be a free service for iOS users. A back up is prudent for any OS upgrade so having all or nearly all of your phone's personal data backed up or exclusively stored in the cloud would be a system that would allow iOS devices not have to rely on an iTunes direct link.
Click to expand...

This also means that iTunes is going to be outdated and useless soon...at least for those of us with iOS devices :)
 
Joshwawilson said:
This also means that iTunes is going to be outdated and useless soon...at least for those of us with iOS devices :)
Click to expand...

assuming they make backing up to the cloud free.. which is almost guaranteed not to happen... as i said earlier:

Perhaps it will be a feature, but I have to imagine Apple will be charging for it (maybe part of new MobileMe subscription, maybe not) but consider as of April, apple has sold over 187 million iDevices... no way they are going to allow all of those users (some who have 64gb ipod touches and iPads) to back up their data to a cloud for free... we are talking BILLIONS potentially TRILLIONS of gigabytes of data they would be storing for us. Certainly it would be nice, and I wouldn't complain about it, but I just don't see it happening, at least not for free.

If apple were able to charge they would cut down the number of people interested in the service, and they would also be able to recuperate some costs from such a huge venture. Just my .02

Even if apple allows OTA updates, that doesn't mean they will offer free OTA backups to the cloud... maybe they will for some data, contacts, calendar apts, notes, but i doubt they will allow a user to back up all of his data to the cloud like you can to your computer.
 
OTA syncing?

I'd be happy if they supported over-the-air WiFi syncing. We can update the OS OTA but not sync my contacts and calendar items? Sheesh.
 
A few minutes ago my Nexus S notified me of a new Android update. It had automatically downloaded the 90mb file over my WiFi network and was asking for permission to install. Two minutes later and my phone is now completely up to date (Google fixed some bugs and added FaceTime-like video calling).

There was no backup process, no lengthy resync and, most of all, no fuss. This seamless experience would be awesome on iOS.
 
maclaptop said:
I read my Verizon TOS. Then I called since I am considering adding a line. Unfortunately they don't grandfather their plans.
Click to expand...
You sure about that? Pretty sure my father's plan is grandfathered, it's some older version of family plan. The TOSes always say "may at any time" or some such language, that doesn't mean they actually force changes. And the phone companies generally don't even change prices, unlike the TV companies.
 
Blessing from the carriers

why would apple need a Blessing from the carriers for over the air update do the carriers need to approve updates over wifi?????:apple:
 
JAT said:
You sure about that? Pretty sure my father's plan is grandfathered, it's some older version of family plan. The TOSes always say "may at any time" or some such language, that doesn't mean they actually force changes. And the phone companies generally don't even change prices, unlike the TV companies.
Click to expand...

I don't understand why their TOS isn't 56 pages like iTunes?
 
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