Should Apple allow users to downgrade to ios 6?

[Armen]

Who voted no????? Those who LOVE IOS7???
If downgrading to iOS 6 were allowed there would be far less whining on the forums. I will quit whining for sure!!!!

You clicked " I AGREE" to Apple's End user license agreement. This means you can use Apple's software under the condition that they can do whatever they want with the software. Forcing people to upgrade to iOS 7 is part of this agreement. Apple doesn't need to answer to anyone.

You are free to stop using their software at any time.

 

[sracer]

Allowing downgrade = heavier fragmentation. Apple has done a superb job limiting fragmentation in it's devices. Allowing a downgrade to iOS 6 would just break everything up. Besides, already >50% of people are on iOS 7.

Thank you for acknowledging that fragmentation already exists for iOS.

Why would an end-user care about iOS fragmentation? If you are at iOS7, why do you care that there are others who are at iOS6 or 5?

Apple has already provided the capability for users of older versions of iOS to install the latest version that is compatible with that particular version of iOS.

Some app developers could (and are) double-dipping by charging for the iOS7-supported version of their apps. For them, OS choice is a benefit.

As for the claims that support costs would be an issue... no one is advocating that Apple or app developers actively support anything other than the latest version.

People are reporting that performance has worsened since upgrading to iOS7. Are you claiming that they are not truthful? What's your solution for them? Go out and upgrade otherwise fine hardware?

How is pressuring customers to buy new hardware due to an OS upgrade that is diminishing the performance/usefulness (without a way to downgrade) of the current hardware any better than forcing customers to buy new hardware because the new OS isn't available for their current hardware?

 

[me7]

How is pressuring customers to buy new hardware due to an OS upgrade that is diminishing the performance/usefulness (without a way to downgrade) of the current hardware any better than forcing customers to buy new hardware because the new OS isn't available for their current hardware?

</applause>

 

[KALLT]

I think the fragmentation argument is not that convincing, even though Apple may have framed it that way. The problem of fragmentation becomes only really apparent when the latest version is only slowly adopted by the users and when developers are compelled to support multiple versions simultaneously to serve the entire user base. That was specifically the problem of Android. A related problem was that many Android devices are not even capable of running the latest version, due to various hardware and carrier restrictions.

This is not the case with iOS. I dare say that by far most iOS devices currently in use are capable of running iOS 7. Moreover, iOS 7 has overthrown iOS 6 already thanks to the easy upgrading process. As a user of iOS 6 myself, I have noticed that most apps have been updated and optimised for iOS 7, but still run on iOS 6 without any problems. Facebook for instance works on both versions. If there is no function of iOS 7 that the developer needs for their app, then I doubt that the maintenance of iOS 6 is that big of a problem, if at all. For those apps that do require iOS 7, the users are notified of the requirement and can act accordingly. If a user decides to stick with iOS 6 regardless, then there is often still the option to download an older version. But in the end one has to acknowledge that such users are probably not in the interests of developers anyway, if they choose not to move along.

So in my opinion, I don't think that fragmentation is really a concern. iOS 7 has a high adoption rate and compatibility is still fairly easy. Over time, iOS 6 will be phased out more and more anyway, as older devices become obsolete and all new devices come with iOS 7 pre-installed.

I think that Apple simply does not contemplate a downgrade, it is supposed to work in one way. iOS 7 is the successor of iOS 6 and designed to replace it, ideally as much as possible. There are no security leaks to worry about and user experience is not affected if something breaks along the way. But since it was possible to downgrade from the GM to iOS 6, I for one thing haven't had any problems doing it. I even had my old backup ready. Even without the backup it is perfectly fine to set everything up again, thanks to the cloud. The only thing I can really imagine is that Apple may have indeed faced a backlash if it turned out that many users actually do want to downgrade. Since there is no way to do it, we can never find out. I think users should decide which version to run, there is no convincing reason for me to refuse it, other than the one I just stated.

This is the time of the infallible Apple. Success is only then measured when sales plummet or there are issues the size of the Apple Maps fiasco. iOS devices are still selling like hotcakes. I think we only get to see the success of iOS 7 down the road, since there are no possible contraindications at this point.

 

[edhchoe]

More than half of voters want the option to go back. I am not minority any longer!!!!!!!!!!!! Victory?

 

[SteaKnife]

Apple wouldn't release the OS for your Phone if it couldn't handle it.

Example: the iPhone 3GS.

Your argument is invalid, Example iPhone 3G iOS 4

 

[koban4max]

I think it's ridiculous that people can't downgrade back. What if your phone simply can't handle the new ios? If I had an iphone 4 and I didn't like the way my phone handled it, I'd be really mad that apple doesn't allow me to switch back.

They used to allow people to downgrade until people from apple forum abused it...teaching people how to downgrade just so they can save battery life...example 3.x.x

 

[edhchoe]

How was that an abuse? Saving battery not good enough reason?

 

[0000757]

Thank you for acknowledging that fragmentation already exists for iOS.

Haha, of course. Fragmentation exists everywhere too. Anyone who claims Apple has no fragmentation must be out of their mind.

Why would an end-user care about iOS fragmentation? If you are at iOS7, why do you care that there are others who are at iOS6 or 5?

Apple has already provided the capability for users of older versions of iOS to install the latest version that is compatible with that particular version of iOS.

It's not that I don't care that people are using iOS 6, 5, or even older. I couldn't care less. It's Apple who cares. The more people who have iOS 7, the better for them. Adding the capability of downloading older apps is not more for those who wish to downgrade, but more of for those who still have older devices. For instance, think of all the fourth gen iPod touches sold and all the iPhone 3GSes running iOS 6 that are still on 2-year contracts, and all the people clinging to their first gen iPads. I think it's also future proofing too, for when the 4 and iPad 2 get dropped, and etc.

Of course, maybe it's Apple intention to let people downgrade to iOS 6, but with widespread iOS 7 appraisal by customers and overall positive satisfaction, it's most likely not this case.

People are reporting that performance has worsened since upgrading to iOS7. Are you claiming that they are not truthful? What's your solution for them? Go out and upgrade otherwise fine hardware?

How is pressuring customers to buy new hardware due to an OS upgrade that is diminishing the performance/usefulness (without a way to downgrade) of the current hardware any better than forcing customers to buy new hardware because the new OS isn't available for their current hardware?

I'm not saying performance issues claims are fake, nor am I saying they are real. On my iPhone 5, everything is smooth, and from everyone with 4Ses and 5s, everything seems to be just fine. The only performance issue I've experienced is that on my mother's 4, there is noticeable lag between transitions, but nothing breaking.

Of course, this is just what I've seen. I'm sure people have experienced a drop in performance, I'm simply saying I haven't seen it.

For the second half, it's not, because it's essentially the same case.

 

[squeakr]

The availability of no rollback is not reserved for Apple solely, they just have such a large market share and brand recognition that they get the lion's share of the blame. I have had Microsoft phones as well as android phones in the past and once upgraded they lost the option for rollback to prior OS's as well. There was no option to go from WM6 back to WM 5. It is a straw man argument to compare computers to phones. At least Apple offers the option to upgrade. Many Android devices, although capable of upgrades, never get that option when new OS's are released as play out their days on the original OS never to see new features. I know of very few devices that do offer the upgrades that also actually offer a rollback path through the manufacturer (the rollbacks are generally only available through third party hack sites and not the actual manufacturer so why is this so different from Apple other than no third party hack site exists, note the term hack here as it is important to this argument).

Why is that you ask? For the same reason that Apple wants everyone on the latest operating system solely, it costs manpower and thus time and money to support multiple os's for bugs and security fixes.

Would people be so quick to complain if they know that if they stay on the current OS and don't upgrade, they will never get newer features, patches, incremental fixes, and bug fixes? It is the same way people complained when being forced off of their unlimited data plans but then found out if they elected to keep unlimited lost the capability to have hotspot, FaceTime over cellular, etc. If you never got the option to upgrade would you also be as happy with Apple knowing that you paid a large amount for your device to be eternally locked to the out of the box OS. The resale value would plummet and people would be less enamored knowing that they would basically have to purchase a new devices to get new features, as is the case with LOTS of Andriod devices that we so like to compare the phones too. How many Microsoft updates, incremental or major change, have occurred since the Windows8 devices were originally released (I ask this as several have touted MS's capability to roll back OS's and all they are doing is comparing computers to phones which is not fair).

 

[bandrews]

Then I'm presented with a list of currently 566 albums to scroll through. Abbey Road isn't even at the top of the list. I have a lot of albums that start with numbers or with the word "a" (like "A momentary Lapse of Reason").




Why should I resort to typing for something that worked well with a single swipe under iOS6? I don't ask Apple to invent something new, just to un-break something that wasn't broken under iOS6 (and allow me to downgrade to iOS6 until they manage to un-break it)
The general rule I follow is this: if the software an old clickwheel iPod is more convenient than the software of an iPod touch with a mutitouch screen, a dual core processor and 512MB RAM, Apple is doing something terribly wrong.

Apart from that, typing on iDevices in portrait rotation is horrible due to the screen's small width. And switching to portrait and having to use two hands just to reach an album... no, just no.

We are losing the point though. The current state is not acceptable for a device that I paid good money for. A simple downgrade to iOS6 would solve everything.

Surely you still have to scroll through a list of artists until you get to "The Beatles"? I'm honestly not playing apple fanboy here but I've go a pretty extensive library that gets a lot of use and it either hasn't affected my usage or I've adapted without noticing. I'm not saying that there isn't a problem for you, just that it isn't a problem for me which makes it hard to empathise. Sorry. Maybe just give it a bit more time. I really like the organisation of being able to see and play all tracks by artist in album order rather than dipping into each album individually. A quick flick of a finger can cover an awful lot of ground. I've had every iPhone since the 3G and used the musice function non-stop. I honestly can't even remember how it worked in iOS 6 and previous.

 

[me7]

Surely you still have to scroll through a list of artists until you get to "The Beatles"? I'm honestly not playing apple fanboy here but I've go a pretty extensive library that gets a lot of use and it either hasn't affected my usage or I've adapted without noticing. I'm not saying that there isn't a problem for you, just that it isn't a problem for me which makes it hard to empathise. Sorry. Maybe just give it a bit more time. I really like the organisation of being able to see and play all tracks by artist in album order rather than dipping into each album individually. A quick flick of a finger can cover an awful lot of ground. I've had every iPhone since the 3G and used the musice function non-stop. I honestly can't even remember how it worked in iOS 6 and previous.

...and therefore you conclude that Apple should continue to prevent users to install iOS6? If I installed iOS6 back on my device, it wouldn't affect you at all. You could continue to be happy with iOS7 on your device and I could be happy again with iOS6 until Apple fixes iOS7. I just don't understand why people who like iOS7 feel so insecure about others wanting to go back to iOS6. Nothing about it would affect you in any way.

BTW: Getting to the Beatles is easy, there is the "alphabet bar" on the right side of the artist view that allows you to jump to any letter in your library. The new album list is the only excessive scrolling I encounter.

 

[joshdammit]

Apple does not own your phone, you do, you should be able to downgrade, if you would like, whenever you like.

But iOS is Apple's software and they can do with it whatever they like. Including ceasing distribution of it.

By all means, use whatever hack you may find online that allows you to downgrade, and Apple won't stop you. But they aren't going to assist you.

Because it's YOUR iPhone.

Funny how that whole possession thing works both ways, huh?

 

[squeakr]

Exactly this. I am older and have been around computers for decades. I think it was sometime around the early to mid 90's that we actually ceased to buy and own software but more to the fact rent copied from the developers with their copyright laws taking effect. At that point we ceased to actually own the software copies we purchased and be allowed to do as we pleased with them.

 

[me7]

But iOS is Apple's software and they can do with it whatever they like. Including ceasing distribution of it.

By all means, use whatever hack you may find online that allows you to downgrade, and Apple won't stop you. But they aren't going to assist you.

Because it's YOUR iPhone.

Funny how that whole possession thing works both ways, huh?

I honestly think that this post doesn't make much sense. Apple own iOS, they can develop it in any direction they want and can cut features with updates like iOS7 if they please, sure.
But them stopping me from putting iOS6 back on my iPod (because iOS7 is still unfinished) has nothing to do with their ownership of iOS.

Apple is playing a dangerous game and if iOS7 still had the same functionality as iOS6, people wouldn't complain as much.
But the calendar and music apps prove that Apple isn't fit for this game. They screw up and make it impossible for users to roll back. Such behaviour begs for a backlash by frustrated users.

I also strongly disagree with the notion that installing an older software is a "hack". Netgear once released a faulty update for my router. I was able to fix it by installing the previous version of the software until the bug was fixed. Simple as that, this is no "hack".

I also remember that a software update for one of my old clickwheel iPods had a battery draining bug. I could easily revert to he previous version until the bug was fixed.

With my iPod touch I suddenly can't do anything. If Apple wants to play it that way, the should make damn sure that the updates they release are either perfect or patched within a few days if flaws appear. iOS7 is still beta software and I hardly see any support from Apple at all. The 7.0.1 and 7.0.2 updates were jokes.

 

[squeakr]

I also strongly disagree with the notion that installing an older software is a "hack". Netgear once released a faulty update for my router. I was able to fix it by installing the previous version of the software until the bug was fixed. Simple as that, this is no "hack".

Installing old software is not a hack if the manufacturer allows and releases an installer to do such. It becomes a hack when it is not a supported functionality. In your example Netgear provided the software and installation procedures so it was an authorized function. It becomes a hack when it is not a supported procedure from the manufacturer. Would you not consider putting DD-WRT or tomato onto your Netgear router a hack? Even though it works, since it is not a supported manufacturer procedure then it would technically be a hack. Downgrading is not a supported procedure so yes it is a hack in this case.

Just because you don't like or agree with the way the development on IOS7 is proceeding doesn't make it wrong or bad just different. This doesn't mean Apple is going down the tubes, it just means they are changing. Also perfect software doesn't exist and never will. I support QA test software and up until they discontinue the software for new versions they are still finding bugs requiring repair.

 

[Vintelligence]

Of course no.. App developers should be able to look forward instead of constant worrying about backwards compatibility with iOS 6 and older.

 

[me7]

Installing old software is not a hack if the manufacturer allows and releases an installer to do such. It becomes a hack when it is not a supported functionality. In your example Netgear provided the software and installation procedures so it was an authorized function. It becomes a hack when it is not a supported procedure from the manufacturer. Would you not consider putting DD-WRT or tomato onto your Netgear router a hack? Even though it works, since it is not a supported manufacturer procedure then it would technically be a hack. Downgrading is not a supported procedure so yes it is a hack in this case.

It is an officially supported procedure. It was even possible to downgrade for three days after the iOS7 launch. Now, Apple just arteficially makes it impossible to install iOS6 while not offering proper support for iOS7. If they had released fixed versions of the calendar and music apps ASAP users would be happy. If they are incapable to provide support, they should at least allow us to help ourselves. Denying iOS6 until iOS7 is fixed doesn't help anyone.

Just because you don't like or agree with the way the development on IOS7 is proceeding doesn't make it wrong or bad just different. This doesn't mean Apple is going down the tubes, it just means they are changing. Also perfect software doesn't exist and never will. I support QA test software and up until they discontinue the software for new versions they are still finding bugs requiring repair.

Bugs are one thing, but the new music app simply lacks important functionality that was there in iOS6. I paid 400€ for my iPod and now it's crippled. Until they can find the time to make the new music app feature complete, they should make it possible for users to use the feature complete music app of iOS6.

Of course no.. App developers should be able to look forward instead of constant worrying about backwards compatibility with iOS 6 and older.

Please stop antagonizing people who don't want to participate in Apple's public iOS7 beta test (because that's what iOS7 is at the moment).
Nobody wants Apple to continue support for iOS6. Nobody demands app developers to continue support for iOS6 (although they will need anyway because not all iOS devices can run iOS7).
We just want iOS6 back until iOS7 has reached a usable state. I can live with bugs, but lacking core functionality in not acceptable. With the state my iPod is currently in, I wouldn't have paid 400€ for it. It doesn't offer the functionality that one would expect from a 400€ mp3 player.

 

[squeakr]

What makes core functionality? You stating it is needed/ wanted doesn't make it so. The fact is that this was designed from the ground up and possibly the previous functionality is not available due to the new back end coding to handle the 64 bit. I deal with this daily in my support as the $10k (and that is the base package price) software I support was recoded on the back end and functionality that was possible in prior releases is not possible due to the nature of the new coding structures. Some functionality is lost and causes issues for my clients, but the core functionality remains. I would say the core functionality is there in 7 as well. You can play music, search music, etc. Just because features you were used to are no longer there, doesn't make it feature incomplete or broken at the core. In fact the feature might have been removed as the coding caused a bug that is yet to be fixed and the functionality desired may return once a fix is discovered (or it may never de added). I would say there is no definition of a feature complete application as the music app as it was was missing iTunes Radio so it couldn't have been feature complete.


Since they removed the signing and ability to roll back, it is now a hack to install the old OS as no official procedure exists.

Although it is unfortunate they have done this, it is the price of progress. You are free to stop using your device, sell it and buy one more suited, learn to work around your issues, just deal with it as is and hope for the future. You have alternatives, not always the best or what you want/ would like but that is the beauty of a competitive market.

I say learn from this and in the future do better research prior to jumping in as an early adopter (you could have went to an Apple store or dealer and tested an "upgraded" device to see of it met your needs. You have just as much responsibility in this as Apple does

 

[RedRaven571]

What makes core functionality? You stating it is needed/ wanted doesn't make it so. The fact is that this was designed from the ground up and possibly the previous functionality is not available due to the new back end coding to handle the 64 bit. I deal with this daily in my support as the $10k (and that is the base package price) software I support was recoded on the back end and functionality that was possible in prior releases is not possible due to the nature of the new coding structures. Some functionality is lost and causes issues for my clients, but the core functionality remains. I would say the core functionality is there in 7 as well. You can play music, search music, etc. Just because features you were used to are no longer there, doesn't make it feature incomplete or broken at the core. In fact the feature might have been removed as the coding caused a bug that is yet to be fixed and the functionality desired may return once a fix is discovered (or it may never de added). I would say there is no definition of a feature complete application as the music app as it was was missing iTunes Radio so it couldn't have been feature complete.


Since they removed the signing and ability to roll back, it is now a hack to install the old OS as no official procedure exists.

Although it is unfortunate they have done this, it is the price of progress. You are free to stop using your device, sell it and buy one more suited, learn to work around your issues, just deal with it as is and hope for the future. You have alternatives, not always the best or what you want/ would like but that is the beauty of a competitive market.

I say learn from this and in the future do better research prior to jumping in as an early adopter (you could have went to an Apple store or dealer and tested an "upgraded" device to see of it met your needs. You have just as much responsibility in this as Apple does

My entire point was that it is inflexible of the company to prevent people from rolling back/downgrading if they want. Especially with such a short window. Who would it hurt, besides Apple's ability to crow about the unprecedented uptake of iOS7? If developers stopped supporting their apps on older versions, then that would likely nudge consumers forward, much as it does in the computer world.

I understand Apple's closed ecosystem, etc. and am willing to play in it, I'm just saying that their policy, with respect to phone software, is a bit a Draconian.

As far as "as much responsibility in this as Apple", really? Would you hold still for this type of treatment with any other device you own?

I just don't understand why some people on this forum defend absolutely everything Apple does as though it is some techno-god who is somehow infallible. And the response to anyone who objects is basically "screw you, if you don't like it, get lost". Don't like ios7, go get another phone? Really? What about when it's a phone from work and you can't get rid of it? What about if you were 2 months into a 2 year contract with your provider? What then?

I don't even have a problem with ios7, I actually like it. Good thing, right? Otherwise, it'd be "well go Android, you troll", right?

 

[me7]

What makes core functionality? You stating it is needed/ wanted doesn't make it so. The fact is that this was designed from the ground up and possibly the previous functionality is not available due to the new back end coding to handle the 64 bit. I deal with this daily in my support as the $10k (and that is the base package price) software I support was recoded on the back end and functionality that was possible in prior releases is not possible due to the nature of the new coding structures. Some functionality is lost and causes issues for my clients, but the core functionality remains. I would say the core functionality is there in 7 as well. You can play music, search music, etc. Just because features you were used to are no longer there, doesn't make it feature incomplete or broken at the core. In fact the feature might have been removed as the coding caused a bug that is yet to be fixed and the functionality desired may return once a fix is discovered (or it may never de added). I would say there is no definition of a feature complete application as the music app as it was was missing iTunes Radio so it couldn't have been feature complete.

I consider it the core functionality of my iPod to store and efficiently navigate 64GB of music. If it can't do this, it is not feature complete. If someone has a better definition of the core functionality of a mp3 player I'm all ears.
The storage part still works but the navigation is broken. The amount of scrolling required by the iOS7 music app is insane.
Stuff like iTunes radio are nice gimmicks, but they don't substitute the hindered access to the music on my device.

As long as Apple can't provide an iOS7 music app that allow efficient navigation of a 64GB music collection, they should make it easy for people to revert to iOS6.
The old music app was structurally sound, it managed to logarithmize the amount of scrolling required in proportion to the size of the music collection (not 100% mathematically correct, but it felt that way).
Scrolling through the new app is closer to linear in relation to the number of tracks.

For the programmers: the old app allowed you to select an artist, then an album and then the songs of the album were displayed. The number of songs you have to scroll through at the end in pseudo-math is [number of songs] / [number of artists] / [number of albums].
The new app insists of showing all albums at the same time. The pseudo-math expression for the size of the list to scroll through turns to [number of songs] / [number of artists]. The resulting number is just way too high.
I consider this a serious problem with the core functionality of a mp3 player.

Although it is unfortunate they have done this, it is the price of progress. You are free to stop using your device, sell it and buy one more suited, learn to work around your issues, just deal with it as is and hope for the future. You have alternatives, not always the best or what you want/ would like but that is the beauty of a competitive market.

Progress would be if the new app was still user friendly, maybe looked different but had improvements. The new however has no real improvements (sans for iTunes radio, which isn't a real competitor for Spotify and Google All Access anyway), only crippled core functionality. The update is dominated by worse user experience.

I say learn from this and in the future do better research prior to jumping in as an early adopter (you could have went to an Apple store or dealer and tested an "upgraded" device to see of it met your needs. You have just as much responsibility in this as Apple does

Why did Apple jump the gun with blocking iOS6 installations when the new OS isn't ready for prime time? This is very arrogant on their part.
I have zero responsibility. Software can be installed, tried out and uninstalled if it doesn't suit you. If it can't, it's malicious software and the developers are to blame.
If anything, users should be encouraged to try new software for the sake of progress. The way you phrase it, users should not try new software out of curiosity but only after they studied it extensively via reviews and videos. Where's the fun in that? Doesn't Apple market itself as the "fun" tech company where you are invited to just try stuff and have fun? Well, trying iOS7 (in it's current early state) is no fun at all for me.

 

[MarcusCarpenter]

Apple have never allowed software downgrades what makes you all think they would start now ?

 

[squeakr]

These are your perceptions.

I would say the core functionality of a music player would be to access music, play, pause, skip, adjust volume, and have a basic selection aspects to access and select said music. Basically what the very original iPod offered. The functionality that has evolved would be features and not core functionality, but then again what would I know as I am only a certified QA engineer and consultant. Wouldn't core functionality also have the capability to access all music types and not just the Apple approved ones locking them into their controlled world (as you seem to be fine with this limitation on Apple's part)?

I see your complaints but don't agree that your perception of what should happen is the required functionality to be considered a music player. If this functionality had never been developed would you consider a player incomplete? More than likely not and you would add the other functionality to your wish list of features rather than chastise the company for turning out an incomplete product.

You have every bit of responsibility in your actions to verify something meets your needs just as much as you expect/ require the manufacturer has a responsibility to meet your needs. Does every manufacturer have a responsibility to always offer what you want? Is GMail any less complete since it stopped supporting exchange functionality? Is Apple any worse because they stopped offering everyone the limited time education discounts and courtesy updates to iCloud storage space? I have never seen Apple advertise themselves as the "fun" company like you claim. It may take you more time to find your selection but the capability is still there just less efficient for you, sorry but unless the requirement that things be located in a certain time frame were guaranteed it does not make the section broken just less efficient (and Apple makes no guarantees as to speed of access of their music selections. If they do I would like to see the publicly released spec sheets as i missed that somewhere.)

If you are so unhappy with ios7 and were so happy with ios6, why did you upgrade? This is where you take responsibility. No one forced you to accept and install the newer version it was your choice. If you decide to buy a new Honda and trade in your old honda for it, then decide you don't like the new one for looks, ergonomics, and fuel efficiency does the dealership and manufacturer have a responsibility to provide a path for you to get back to your old Honda? If you accept an upgrade to your cell phone/ Internet plan and then decide you liked the terms of your old one better, does the provider have an obligation to get your old terms back for you??

 

[squeakr]

As far as "as much responsibility in this as Apple", really? Would you hold still for this type of treatment with any other device you own?

I just don't understand why some people on this forum defend absolutely everything Apple does as though it is some techno-god who is somehow infallible. And the response to anyone who objects is basically "screw you, if you don't like it, get lost". Don't like ios7, go get another phone? Really? What about when it's a phone from work and you can't get rid of it? What about if you were 2 months into a 2 year contract with your provider? What then?

I don't even have a problem with ios7, I actually like it. Good thing, right? Otherwise, it'd be "well go Android, you troll", right?

unfortunately that is how it works. I have pointed out before (and correct me if I am wrong here as I have never been able to do this with any of my smartphones over the last 10-12 years) downgrading an OS through a manufacturer provided procedure generally doesn't exist. Like I stated before, Windows phones never provided it, Android phones never provided it (heck most are lucky to even get an upgrade as the manufacturer has pretty much written the device off by the time it hits market even though they tout and promise upgrades that generally never come). BB was the only one that really supported this and they are not a contender anymore. So this is not an Apple accepted position. It is a smartphone accepted position.

Unfortunately your arguments are straw man arguments. Do you have a choice with a workphone? Generally no, you get what is assigned and it performs how work designates and allows you to use it. The argument about being into a new contract, you can sell or trade your phone, as you have options. Just like if the phone doesn't change but the service terms do. Do you have an option then. Yes, you either accept the new terms and remain a customer or you leave (and generally can get fees waived in those situations) but you rarely (should read never) get the provider to change their terms back for you. Look how many people have lost unlimited data with Verizon due to the new terms. This is why the responsibility lies on both parties.

 

[RedRaven571]

unfortunately that is how it works. I have pointed out before (and correct me if I am wrong here as I have never been able to do this with any of my smartphones over the last 10-12 years) downgrading an OS through a manufacturer provided procedure generally doesn't exist. Like I stated before, Windows phones never provided it, Android phones never provided it...... So this is not an Apple accepted position. It is a smartphone accepted position.

And so, if that is the case with Android/Windows phones, why not be the company that is *gasp* different (I remember some company had the tag-line "Think Different"), and allow users the flexibility of reverting back to the previous OS if they find that the new one is not to their liking?

I understand that, currently we can't; I don't understand what actual business reason there is for preventing it. I'm not saying the developers of Angry Birds in Space need to support their product forever on all existing iOS platforms back to iOS 1, just let people make their own decision about whether or not they want to use the latest/greatest. Then they will have to live with the fact that they can't play Angry Birds in Space III or Fruit Ninja VII on their phone.

See this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1651933/ I think lots of folks would appreciate the opportunity to revert back.