New Features in iOS 6 Receive Spotty Support from Older Devices

[Fukui]

The Mac App Store's apps.
In all seriousness though, this isn't at all what Apple is talking about. When Apple talks about fragmentation, they're referring to the fact that developers have to make multiple versions of their apps to support all the Android devices. The fact that Siri isn't on the iPhone 4 doesn't require me to make a separate version of my app, nor do any of those other neglected features.

Exactly, when most people talk about fragmentation they mean fragmentation of the API, which the list in the article doesn’t really have much bearing on... that being said, you could make a case for user-feature-fragmentation i guess... tho its still not as bad as with android....

 

[mrsir2009]

No Facetime over 3G for iPhone 4? Encouraging people to jailbreak then, aren't ya Apple?

 

[cg0def]

This week has been the perfect storm against going with iPhone 5 this fall.

1. Only 4 inches

2. Lackluster iOS upgrades

3. Verizon family plan

I have until June 28 to upgrade my phone in order to keep unlimited data. So I'm going Samsung S3. Not paying full retail on the next iPhone to keep my grandfathered data plan. Try doing LTE facetime when sharing data.

Good luck with your S3. The one thing that is certain for me other than death is that I would NEVER AGAIN by a Samsung smartphone. I did and still do have an S2 bough about 1 year ago. I figured, if I like it I can skit the 4S and if not give it to my wife. How exactly does a top of the like phone from the largest manufacturer get this bad is beyond me. I got the noise cancellation problem (and if you don't know what that is you really need to look it up before buying a Samsung) the phone is entire built from plastic and is very easy to drop yet the plastic is quite cheap so scratches on the shell are very easy to make. Oh and most of all, almost a year after Android 4 being release, I still have no way to easily upgrading to it. Samsung supposedly has released their version yet my carrier still has to *approve it* before I can get it.
And we haven't even gotten to the design of the Samsung Android modifications. You think S3 will get a better support? Guess again! I will bet money on the fact that despite all the talk from Google about limiting the extent of manufacturer modifications to Android and the supposed 18 month update support, S3 will get stuck on Android 4 for as long as most of the upcoming users own their S3 phones.

Oh and FYI the S2 is not updated to 4.0.3 via the *public* Samsung roms and I fully understand why my carrier wants to test this before letting it out. I have never seen a phone software that crashes this much and I do remember the early smartphone days.

Also, if you are hoping to keep your unlimited data plan with Verizon LTE, you should check the fine print again as I believe Verizon will make you sign a new contract but I might be wrong ...

 

[CalmEnvy]

I have an iPhone 4 and really Apple? Thanks a lot, seriously disappointed and everyone saying that iPhone 4 users contracts are almost up? Welcome to Canada and three year contracts... I'll be waiting till the iPhone 5s or whatever they will call it. iOS6 is a major let down for me.

 

[3282868]

After using Apple products for over a decade, I've lost my faith this week. I held on, I defended, I even made excuses, but Apple, I'm filing for divorce.

 

[jprmercado]

Hi, guys! Long-time lurker here.

I recently "inherited" an AT&T-unlocked iPhone 3GS that had been wiped clean and upgraded to iOS 5 before getting to me. I guess I'm lucky; iOS 5 works flawlessly on it! Everything from texting, exiting applications and playing games works so smoothly. And this is after restoring from an iPod Touch backup that had lots of stuff in it! I was really surprised.

With that said, it's altogether possible that Apple has learned their lesson with the iPhone 3G upgrade to iOS 4. It's possible that iOS 6 will run as smoothly on an iPhone 3GS as iOS 5 does on my iPhone 3GS. But only time [and reviews] will tell.

 

[sk1wbw]

Because the android version of this chart would have over 2000 devices?

arn

And besides, that's not what fragmentation means anyways, but he already knew that...

 

[Drunken Master]

Whoop! Whoop! I have a 4S!

 

[AustinIllini]

Hi, guys! Long-time lurker here.

I recently "inherited" an AT&T-unlocked iPhone 3GS that had been wiped clean and upgraded to iOS 5 before getting to me. I guess I'm lucky; iOS 5 works flawlessly on it! Everything from texting, exiting applications and playing games works so smoothly. And this is after restoring from an iPod Touch backup that had lots of stuff in it! I was really surprised.

With that said, it's altogether possible that Apple has learned their lesson with the iPhone 3G upgrade to iOS 4. It's possible that iOS 6 will run as smoothly on an iPhone 3GS as iOS 5 does on my iPhone 3GS. But only time [and reviews] will tell.

I doubt it. Particularly with the iPhone 4. If Apple were to have learned a lesson from the iPhone 3G, they wouldn't still be supporting the 3GS

 

[Gigaman]

What on earth is preventing FaceTime over cellular on the iPhone 4?

Think about it, it's Apple. iPad 2 and iPhone 4 run on 3G networks, the 4S has faster speeds on AT&T and the iPad has LTE... If this is one of those things where they're allowing something due to faster speeds, the slower 3G devices may be shunned.

 

[maxwelltech]

What????

I bought my iPhone 4 August of last year, and it doesn't support turn-by-turn navigation!?
Also, no more updates for iPad 1!? Mine is just over a year old!
I am really considering buying a Galaxy Nexus, a pure Google Phone with on-time updates.

 

[jprmercado]

I doubt it. Particularly with the iPhone 4. If Apple were to have learned a lesson from the iPhone 3G, they wouldn't still be supporting the 3GS

I guess it's the optimist in me that believes that it'll work smoothly. Well, that and the surprising fact that iOS 5 works perfectly fine on my iPhone 3GS.

In any case, though, I can still remain on iOS 5 and stay happy. I'd rather have stability than a couple of new features, in this case. [I could also get the upcoming iPhone, but that's a different story, haha!]

 

[ixodes]

"Android is fragmented. But iOS isn't." Where's the sandbox so I can put my head in there with all the other people claiming this ?

Thanks for THE best laugh of the day.



I've never enjoyed such great humor until the recent advent of iToyzTV.

It's the most hilarious show ever.

For those who like Comedy Clubs filled with the best comedians & hours of laughter, simply lighten up, reframe how you view Apple, and enjoy.

Why be so serious over something one has no control over? That's what work's for... being serious.

Apple Comedy at it's finest right here - 24/7 it can't be beat

 

[Roessnakhan]

I am really considering buying a Galaxy Nexus, a pure Google Phone with on-time updates.

If you're going to do that you might as well see what happens with the new iPhone and the development of iOS6 this fall - the Nexus line is on a fall release schedule then too so you'll be able to better gauge the competition - especially with the rumor there will be multiple Nexus manufacturers this fall (Samsung, HTC, etc.).

The lack of features for the 3GS is understandable. But the iPhone 4? Inexcusable.

 

[Gigaman]

Some of these, I can understand where Apple is just being Apple where they just have to give the best experience, the rest may just be marketing strategy. (next iPhone)

 

[AustinIllini]

In any case, though, I can still remain on iOS 5 and stay happy. I'd rather have stability than a couple of new features, in this case. [I could also get the upcoming iPhone, but that's a different story, haha!]

I think with iOS 5's history, I feel I can trust Apple to make iOS 6 worth upgrading to. Overall, my iPhone 4 currently runs as well if not better than when it was on 4.2.6 and it has a great deal of additional features. I trust that iOS 6 will do the same.

 

[jj4146]

I deleted my post

 

[URFloorMatt]

Is it just me or does anyone find it odd that the iPhone 4 is getting lack of support? The difference from the 4 and 4S aren't that huge. With the exception of Siri (and I still think Siri should of been added on the iPhone 4) this is ridiculous.

I can understand the 3GS completely but not the iPhone 4.

The average consumer spends $2000+ on a 2-year phone contract just for the services. The cost of your phone is subsidized to the tune of $500. Your outlay is $200, or about 8% of the total contract.

Not upgrading every two years is giving $500 free to Verizon/AT&T--to say nothing of willingly restricting your own data usage to their benefit. Given how eager they are to screw you over with crap data plans, I have no idea why anyone cuts them a break by not upgrading whenever they can. Although it admittedly costs you money to upgrade, whenever you do, AT&T and Verizon lose money.

The next iPhone will have 4G LTE. I can conceive of no reason why anyone with a 3GS or a 4 wouldn't upgrade as soon as they can. Not to be harsh, but anyone who buys a prior gen iPhone to save $100 is either a complete moron lacking all financial sense or someone who shouldn't be buying into a smartphone in the first place (because the truth is they can't afford it).

EDIT: And yes, I'm aware that anyone who upgrades via a subsidy will be forfeiting their unlimited data.

 

[ixodes]

Good luck with your S3. The one thing that is certain for me other than death is that I would NEVER AGAIN by a Samsung smartphone. I did and still do have an S2 bough about 1 year ago. I figured, if I like it I can skit the 4S and if not give it to my wife. How exactly does a top of the like phone from the largest manufacturer get this bad is beyond me. I got the noise cancellation problem (and if you don't know what that is you really need to look it up before buying a Samsung) the phone is entire built from plastic and is very easy to drop yet the plastic is quite cheap so scratches on the shell are very easy to make. Oh and most of all, almost a year after Android 4 being release, I still have no way to easily upgrading to it. Samsung supposedly has released their version yet my carrier still has to *approve it* before I can get it.
And we haven't even gotten to the design of the Samsung Android modifications. You think S3 will get a better support? Guess again! I will bet money on the fact that despite all the talk from Google about limiting the extent of manufacturer modifications to Android and the supposed 18 month update support, S3 will get stuck on Android 4 for as long as most of the upcoming users own their S3 phones.

Oh and FYI the S2 is not updated to 4.0.3 via the *public* Samsung roms and I fully understand why my carrier wants to test this before letting it out. I have never seen a phone software that crashes this much and I do remember the early smartphone days.

Also, if you are hoping to keep your unlimited data plan with Verizon LTE, you should check the fine print again as I believe Verizon will make you sign a new contract but I might be wrong ...

Wow, what a streak of bad luck. Hopefully your next phone will be satisfactory.

I've enjoyed excellent performance from both my iPhone 4S and Galaxy SII. Each have their differences and both are very enjoyable for their complementary strengths. They're just different enough to keep things interesting. I bought each upon their release, both being GSM, they allow me to make the best of my two lines with AT&T.

Due to their fine features I decided not to jailbreak or root either. No phone is perfect, yet these two certainly demonstrate the significant gains from each mobile OS.

I've got a Galaxy SIII pre-ordered, while waiting to see what the upcoming iPhones final form factor will be.

Both of these platforms have made great progress. To the point where smartphones today are really enjoyable no matter what platform is chosen. It's all a matter of personal preferences.

 

[Lancer]

Time to update my 3Gs, bring on the next iPhone!

 

[tkwolf]

Is it just me or does anyone find it odd that the iPhone 4 is getting lack of support? The difference from the 4 and 4S aren't that huge. With the exception of Siri (and I still think Siri should of been added on the iPhone 4) this is ridiculous.

I can understand the 3GS completely but not the iPhone 4.

Marketing? To make your realize that maybe even if you don't have to, you have to be tempted to upgrade to their new device soon. If you think about it, iphone 4 is just as capable of most of these upgrades.

 

[genovelle]

As an Android user, I must say the fragmentation isn't nearly as bad or even as noticeable as Apple claims it to be. I've never come across an app that hasn't worked on either of my Android devices.

Tell that to the developer that had to create those apps. How many versions did they have to prepare. Also, are both of your phones running Ice cream sandwich? I have a bunch of Android people at work who have fairly new phones that they will never be able to upgrade after just a few months of ownership.

 

[MythicFrost]

"Android is fragmented. But iOS isn't." Where's the sandbox so I can put my head in there with all the other people claiming this ?

That's not fragmentation. They're still running the latest OS even though it may not have all the same features as newer models, which means it's easy for developers to target iOS devices. On top of that, there's only a handful of hardware models and two different resolutions to deal with.

Not comparable to Android whatsoever which has many different versions, with the majority running 2.2 and 2.3, and hundreds of different devices with different resolutions, aspect ratios, processors, RAM, or GPUs.

 

[robinthoms2]

As an iphone lover am waiting for iphone5.

 

[kxbcvoi]

To be fair we all know there will be more features for the iPhone 5 that iOS will support that iPhone 4S won't. They've done this every year. Mostly its tied to hardware changes.

iPhone - initial release
iPhone 3G - gained 3g compatibility (hardware and software)
iPhone 3Gs - gained Compass (hardware and software)
iPhone 4 - gained FaceTime and Retine Display (hardware and software)
iPhone 4s - gained Siri and fake "4G" (hardware and software)
iPhone 5 - gained ??????

Since all big changes seem to be tied to hardware and software, the question is what hardware change will Apple make to the iPhone 5 that will include a software update that will not be backward compatible with any device?
Since the main rumor is taller by almost exactly 1 row of icons, my thought is that instead of a row of icons a 1 row tall widget could be placed on the screen. This won't work on iPhone 4S because extra open row isn't available.

Just my thought.

Siri is software. Actually Siri is not even on iPhone 4s. It is on Apple server.
As for the exclusive feature of iPhone 5, Passbook pretty much hint at something. Just like Reminder hint at Siri.