iOSs and the perils of updating

[BrianBaughn]

The frequency of iOS updates and new device releases along with software developers crippling older versions of their software are going to either make particular older, and by older I mean 3 years(!), devices lose either some functionality or make the iOS experience painful. This is separate issue from complaints about an iOS release on devices that can run it at top speed.

Depending on what device you have there are perils to updating as well as perils to NOT updating.

I agree that one should be able to downgrade to an earlier iOS version.

 

[I7guy]

You don't know that. And really bears no relevance to those of us that have found problems in the past. Or are advocating that apple should ignore those with problems as you think they are just a small minority?

As said before, it's firmware for a simple hardware platform, all should behave in a very similar manner.

Obviously I don't know that, just like when you said tongue in cheek I'm sure: "I'm willing to bet that 90%..." Nobody knows and it's not even relevant.

There are issues. There are issues with every release. It seems like there is so much debate on the scope and the definition of a "glitch" vs a "showstopper". One person's glitch it seems is the next persons showstopper.

 

[Woochifer]

First off, what device are you updating?

Every device has different issues with different iOS versions. For example, iOS 7 crashed a lot more often on the iPhone 5s than on the iPhone 5. With the iPhone 5, the code base did not change nearly as drastically as with the 5s, because the 5s had to have the code transitioned to 64-bit. With iOS 8, the update introduced probably the most drastic under-the-hood changes to date that affect all devices.

Then there's the issue of how far into the current iOS cycle you choose to go before updating. Someone using iOS 7.0 will have a very different experience from someone using 7.1.2. iOS 8 is not yet at its EOL point, but even now, the reliability of iOS 8.1.2 is a lot better than 8.0 (and on my 5s, I would say it's at least on par with 7.1.2). The final verdict on iOS 8 did not occur on the date of release -- it will happen when iOS 9 is announced and the EOL version of iOS 8 comes out. People who value stability above all else, should just wait for Apple to announce the next iOS version before they upgrade to the current version.

Even the vaunted OS X Snow Leopard, which is now held up as some gold standard for stability and performance(or moment after which Apple's QA supposedly into a nosedive), was riddled with bugs and application incompatibilities when it first came out. The EOL 10.6.8 version of Snow Leopard didn't come out until 20 months later.

With iOS, I think the pattern has shown that you're generally safe making the OS update if your device is one generation removed from its originating iOS version. Go two generations removed, then you're looking at some performance compromises in return for the new features and API support. Once you're three generations removed, then you need to think long and hard before making the update. This is why I kept my iPad 3 on iOS 6.1.3, and my daughter's iPad mini has stayed at iOS 7.1.2.

 

[vexorg]

Obviously I don't know that, just like when you said tongue in cheek I'm sure: "I'm willing to bet that 90%..." Nobody knows and it's not even relevant.

I'm going by the people I know in terms of the technical competence and problems they've had. I have friends that have had the iphone for a year or more and will ask how do they put apps or music on it. I think you are giving the general population too much credit, most are either rnost knowledgable or apathetic about the iPhone and problems.

 

[gumbyjunior1]

Not having the ability to downgrade puts all iOS owners in peril.

You can downgrade Android, and Windows devices without much trouble, so I can't fathom why Apple won't open that ability up.

What if you have a mission critical app that is not compatible to run on newer iOS version. Or what if your app is unsupported because the software vendor went out of business.

Same argument I would have if you are trying to run a Windows 95/98 game on Windows 7 and you cant because of a issue with Direct X version or some other stupid incompatibility issue.

 

[I7guy]

Not having the ability to downgrade puts all iOS owners in peril.

You can downgrade Android, and Windows devices without much trouble, so I can't fathom why Apple won't open that ability up.

What if you have a mission critical app that is not compatible to run on newer iOS version. Or what if your app is unsupported because the software vendor went out of business.

Same argument I would have if you are trying to run a Windows 95/98 game on Windows 7 and you cant because of a issue with Direct X version or some other stupid incompatibility issue.

If your phone is a corporate phone your it dept should be on top of the upgrade. If they aren't and mission critical apps fail, heads should roll.

You can't really downgrade windows, you have to reinstall, which in s loaded system can take a day. But microsoft doesn't prevent that as their software is uncoupled from hardware. Apples software and hardware are coupled.

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I'm going by the people I know in terms of the technical competence and problems they've had. I have friends that have had th diphone for a year or more and will ask how do they put apps or music on it. I think you are giving the general population too much credit, most are either rnost knowledgable or apathetic about the iPhone and problems.

I don't think mr is a microcosm of Apple issues. With 100s if millions of devices stuff happens. If the General population had these issues, apple would be out of business.

 

[jonnyb098]

Unfortunately Apple has always been stretched thin on engineers. Even more now with Apple watch and whatever new things they are working on to satisfy the wall street dorks and trolls who think they aren't innovating.

In these new iOS releases, they mainly optimize for the current and next generation hardware. Which is why the bug fixes for older devices always takes a few months. It happens every year. People complain that their 3-5 year old device runs like garbage and Apple takes a couple months to fix it just enough to be useable.

Thats the way it is. By now people should have learned that if you don't have at least a 2 year old device or newer, DONT UPDATE RIGHT AWAY. And if thats too much to digest....have fun on Android.....