One good reason NOT to update to 4.2....

[Amazing Iceman]

I'm curious what is considered elderly. Even my 95 yr old mother, who learned to use a computer at 86, is able to adapt to changes. She would love an Ipad but has macular degeneration and has software that allows her to use a cursor that magnifies up to an unbelievable 32x LOL. Right now she is at 3x but that's considerably larger than anything possible on the Ipad. I have to handle maintenance but she has dealt with OS changes, etc. Just explain the changes which are minimal for the mute button.

I have a lot of apps in my MT bar but have no battery or memory issues so far with my 64GB wifi. OTOH, my husband, with a 32GB wifi, hasn't even tried it (or made folders) but his use of the Ipad is very different from mine. He doesn't use the orientation lock either LOL. I seem to mainly use mine when reading in bed. I don't mind the change to the button at all, may even prefer it to be truthful.

Sometimes people tend to limit the potential of an elderly person. On the other hand, based on years of dealing with lawyers, I have discovered that in most cases they are the most difficult people to adapt to any change. Of course, I don't generalize this concept, and always give them moral support and the opportunity to learn about the changes, but when I notice that they are constantly blocking their minds to adapt, I stop trying.
I do praise the efforts of those who are willing to learn and don't limit themselves due to age, or any other condition.

 

[blackNBUK]

As the starter of this thread, I was just hoping to get reasons as to why updating the OS would be "necessary" as opposed to just doing it for the mostly un-needed benefits (at least in MY case with the senior citizen who is using it). Future compatibility with apps is the only reason that I can see so far. Everyone is mentioning that having multiple apps open at that same time isn't really a battery drain. If someone who doesn't really have the consistent wherewithal to be "double-click, multi-tasking" savvy, this might be another issue they could run into.....

http://www.cultofmac.com/solve-low-memory-warnings-on-ios-4-2-1-for-ipad-how-to/71424#more-71424

Like I said, I'm not against 4.2, I'm just trying to avoid those long phone calls having to explain why they have to go through the process of closing the apps!

Personally I wouldn't worry about this being a problem. I've been using iOS4.2 for a couple of weeks now; I don't manually close Apps and I've never seen a low memory warning. Of course this is just one data point so it would be interesting to hear from other people.

My feeling is that low memory warnings are being generated by Apps that are incorrectly designed and are not letting iOS do it's job before showing the warning. Are there any iOS developers out there who can comment? This obviously isn't helpful in your case if the App they are using causes trouble. However it does seem like these troublesome Apps are the exception and not the rule.

 

[huck500]

I can't believe no one has mentioned a huge reason not to upgrade... loss of 3G! Those of you with 3G iPads will likely find yourselves with a very slow 3G connection (if you can get a 3G connection) or be stuck on Edge (like I and many others are). Check the Apple forum to see just how widespread this problem is.

Can't believe Apple let a serious flaw like this one get through!

None of the people I know with 3g ipads have this problem, so I doubt it's "likely." I'm not going to update, however, until there's an untethered jailbreak.

 

[Ksane]

Me neither, Huck. Backgrounder allows you to completely close apps when you exit them or to run them in the background. It gives the user a CHOICE.

 

[ddsdude]

None of the people I know with 3g ipads have this problem, so I doubt it's "likely." I'm not going to update, however, until there's an untethered jailbreak.

It may depend on location but here in Canada on Rogers, 3G is a no-go. On 3.2.1, had full bars 3G almost always. On 4.2.1, Edge only. And I've tried everything!