The way Apple handles iOS upgrades is almost criminal.

[Solomani]

It really should be done away with, and if I was a hotshot lawyer, I would be on the case. I would really like to see somebody put apple in its place on this issue.

If the class action suit is simply to force Apple to "mend its ways" and to address user concerns about Apple's inflexible iOS upgrade policies, then I'm all for the suit.

If it's just another petty "money grab" lawsuit so that each Claimant (among many thousands of customers) will get like some paltry $10 entitlement rebate coupon from Apple, plus the Greedy Lawyers getting a few million in attorney fees each, then I hope it loses (just like the idiotic iPod Class Action Suit that just lost in court).

 

[Woochifer]

Remains to be seen, but it's almost impossible for Apple to keep delivering these huge leaps of performance for each or every other year. The smartphone industry is obviously a very competitive one unlike desktops where Intel will give you their usual tick-tock increases, but I'd be surprised if Apple could keep going like this. Needless to say, I would gladly welcome it.

Why would it be impossible? Apple already fired out big performance gains by redesigning the microarchitecture on both the A6 and A7. The A8 was primarily a die shrink with some other performance tweaks, and focused on huge gains in efficiency. Apple has yet to use quad cores or bump up the clock speeds, but those options remain on the table if they want to up the ante on processing power.

The A8X already suggests that Apple might be ready to explore triple or quad cores, and the semi-custom GPU used in the A8X might also indicate that the chip engineers are preparing something big for the A9. The rumored move to a 14 nm process would further reduce power consumption, and leave any number of options open if Apple chooses to keep the overall power usage in line with the current 6/6 Plus, while significantly bumping up the performance.

 

[9699624]

I'm rather late to the thread, but to the OP's contention. I've been happy with the upgrades and I have no complaints.

me too

 

[err404]

What about the other iOS devices still in service that are not capable of upgrading to the latest version of iOS?

Honestly? You should consider them end of life technology. You should be cautious about what they are used for and which accounts are configured. You should view them with similar reservations to a PC still running XP.

 

[sracer]

Honestly? You should consider them end of life technology. You should be cautious about what they are used for and which accounts are configured. You should view them with similar reservations to a PC still running XP.

Apple didn't consider them "end of life" as they provided a security bug fix for iOS 6 (when iOS 7 was the latest version). They could've said, "too bad so sad... buy new devices", but they didn't.


I'm interested in your response to what I wrote:
"How does that "practical reason" fit into the scenario where Apple released a security fix simultaneously for iOS 6 and iOS 7 and required all devices running iOS 6 to update to iOS 7 if the devices was permitted to upgrade (if the security fix was needed)?"

 

[sunking101]

I'm not personally affected when it comes to iPhones because I upgrade within 18-24 months. However, I do pass my old phones onto my father and he got burned when the iPhone 4 was reduced to a slow crawl by iOS7.
I do worry about iPads though as people don't ordinarily upgrade those as often as iPhones. They're bought outright for cash and aren't on a contract, so people tend to keep them until they become faulty. Why should they be slowed to a crawl by iOS updates when they're 24 months old? It happens like clockwork.

 

[I7guy]

I'm not personally affected when it comes to iPhones because I upgrade within 18-24 months. However, I do pass my old phones onto my father and he got burned when the iPhone 4 was reduced to a slow crawl by iOS7.
I do worry about iPads though as people don't ordinarily upgrade those as often as iPhones. They're bought outright for cash and aren't on a contract, so people tend to keep them until they become faulty. Why should they be slowed to a crawl by iOS updates when they're 24 months old? It happens like clockwork.

Now using an old retired iphone 4 on 7.1.2 as an iPod. Dont see the slowdown at all, must be some bad apps on your fathers phone. Suggest a wipe and restore. Of course one persons fast as a rabbit is another persons slow as molasses. So there might be some perception issues as well.

 

[sunking101]

Now using an old retired iphone 4 on 7.1.2 as an iPod. Dont see the slowdown at all, must be some bad apps on your fathers phone. Suggest a wipe and restore. Of course one persons fast as a rabbit is another persons slow as molasses. So there might be some perception issues as well.

He only has stock apps and the phone has had numerous clean installs to try and correct the crawl. In my opinion (and his) the phone slowed down massively going from iOS6 to iOS7. He updated it, not me. He saw the OTA download prompting him to 'update' and read the spiel about the improvements etc.

 

[err404]

Apple didn't consider them "end of life" as they provided a security bug fix for iOS 6 (when iOS 7 was the latest version). They could've said, "too bad so sad... buy new devices", but they didn't.


I'm interested in your response to what I wrote:
"How does that "practical reason" fit into the scenario where Apple released a security fix simultaneously for iOS 6 and iOS 7 and required all devices running iOS 6 to update to iOS 7 if the devices was permitted to upgrade (if the security fix was needed)?"

The scenario you mention is the exception, not the rule. Who knows the reasons for it. Ask your self this; are you confident that Apple is taking the similar precautions with malware on iOS 6/7 today that they are with iOS 8?
Regardless of weather Apple considers them EOL, the user would be smart to.

 

[Max(IT)]

The 5S is hardly that old and the 5C is based on the i5, which is more than up to the task because very little has changed in terms of performance since the i5. Sadly the new iPhone 6 will have the least amount of longevity of any phone released by Apple in the last two and a bit years due to the RAM it shares with the 5/5S.
So technically, we're talking about iOS updates which affect iPhones with genuinely lesser specs such as iOS7 on the iPhone 4 for instance, or iOS8 on the 4S. Both those phones perform like pigs on the last updates they were eligible for. Just wait until iPhones get more RAM, then the trio of 5/5S/6 will be similarly affected together.

IOS isn't a memory hog...

 

[sracer]

The scenario you mention is the exception, not the rule. Who knows the reasons for it.

And yet they did it.

You said that you know why Apple doesn't allow installing an older version of iOS:

"There is a practical reason for not allowing this. One of the primary issues addressed with upgrades is plugging security holes."

You state it as if it is a fact when it is nothing more than your speculation. When has Apple stated that the reason for not supporting older versions of iOS is the issue of security holes?

When I offered the facts (Apple provided a security fix for an older version of iOS) you then claim it is an exception.

You are in agreement with how Apple currently deals with upgrades... that's fine... but it isn't based on what has actually transpired.

 

[Max(IT)]

Very good.
But you are the perfect target for my comments. I have been using apple since 1984 so I wasn't trying to get into a phallic contest, but curious. I promise I am not being antagonistic.

You are the perfect target because I am most curious about fellow long time users dismissing OR defending their current practices. ESPECIALLY since you think it is just a "market" thing. Whatever that means.

Apple's new direction of crap OS updates is across the IOS and OSX platforms. Why are long time users accepting this direction? Don't you remember the days when you bought a new Mac OS and all of a sudden your Quadra Pro ran faster than the day you bought it?

Different time, different hardware. Easy.
I'm very happy about Apple's direction in iOS development, since it improved version after version.

 

[I7guy]

And yet they did it.

You said that you know why Apple doesn't allow installing an older version of iOS:

"There is a practical reason for not allowing this. One of the primary issues addressed with upgrades is plugging security holes."

You state it as if it is a fact when it is nothing more than your speculation. When has Apple stated that the reason for not supporting older versions of iOS is the issue of security holes?

When I offered the facts (Apple provided a security fix for an older version of iOS) you then claim it is an exception.

You are in agreement with how Apple currently deals with upgrades... that's fine... but it isn't based on what has actually transpired.

Right and how many times out of how many back versions did they provide a security fix? The definition of a exception is one that doesnt comform to the rule. The rule being all back-versions of IOS are patched.

While nobody has read the internal memo on how and why Apple does things, certain things can be surmised.

 

[Foss]

Yes, that is exactly the point. The 4S owner should be allowed to go back to ios 5. He/She took the risk of the upgrades and with each version, the phone got slower and slower. He/She should have the right to operate the device as it was sold to them.

Do you really think downgrading is like flipping a switch? Large IOS revisions usually include firmware upgrades that are not easy to undo, just like any software OS downgrade. Can you take your Windows 8 and easily downgrade to Windows 7? With more and more revisions comes the very large chance that downgrading will brick your device. There is some practicality for this. Not even mentioning reducing fragmentation and making it easier for 3rd party developers to make apps in a less fragmented environment. Ask Android developers... And a majority of Android users would agree that quality of apps on the Google store is below the App Store.

 

[sracer]

Do you really think downgrading is like flipping a switch? Large IOS revisions usually include firmware upgrades that are not easy to undo, just like any software OS downgrade.

Sounds like a strawman to me.

I haven't heard anyone advocating the ability to downgrade while preserving all data and settings.

What is so difficult about "wipe the device and install a lower version of iOS"?

Not even mentioning reducing fragmentation and making it easier for 3rd party developers to make apps in a less fragmented environment. Ask Android developers... And a majority of Android users would agree that quality of apps on the Google store is below the App Store.

Not offering a downgrade isn't going to prevent people from staying at a particular version rather than upgrading. It is possible that more would upgrade if they knew they could go back if they wanted to. And in the end, we're not talking about a large percentage of users who would want to go back to a lower level... if there are, then that is an indication that there is a problem.

 

[Count Blah]

The scenario you mention is the exception, not the rule. Who knows the reasons for it. Ask your self this; are you confident that Apple is taking the similar precautions with malware on iOS 6/7 today that they are with iOS 8?
Regardless of weather Apple considers them EOL, the user would be smart to.

link? Because there are plenty around here detailing the exact same experience as that poster's father.

----------

Not offering a downgrade isn't going to prevent people from staying at a particular version rather than upgrading. It is possible that more would upgrade if they knew they could go back if they wanted to. And in the end, we're not talking about a large percentage of users who would want to go back to a lower level... if there are, then that is an indication that there is a problem.

I would have gladly gone back to iOS 6 on my iPhone 4S. I lost a good 1/3 from my battery life with that "upgrade". And yes, I did turn off EVERY power sucking setting possible, and I did restores, clean installs, the whole 9 yards. But nothing will ever convince the fanbois that apple is not perfect when it comes to upgrades.

 

[Max(IT)]

Sounds like a strawman to me.

I haven't heard anyone advocating the ability to downgrade while preserving all data and settings.

What is so difficult about "wipe the device and install a lower version of iOS"?



Not offering a downgrade isn't going to prevent people from staying at a particular version rather than upgrading. It is possible that more would upgrade if they knew they could go back if they wanted to. And in the end, we're not talking about a large percentage of users who would want to go back to a lower level... if there are, then that is an indication that there is a problem.

Offering a downgrade option is an open door to fragmentation. Just think about new APIs introduced by iOS 7 and iOS 8 ? Apps updated to take advantage by using those APIs would be incompatible with a downgraded iDevice.
Not a scenario Apple would love. And me too.

 

[sracer]

Offering a downgrade option is an open door to fragmentation. Just think about new APIs introduced by iOS 7 and iOS 8 ? Apps updated to take advantage by using those APIs would be incompatible with a downgraded iDevice.
Not a scenario Apple would love. And me too.

Fragmentation already exists. It might increase fragmentation but it isn't a gateway to it.

Your viewpoint places a greater importance on API implementation and deployment over customer satisfaction and protecting their investment. That's good for short-term sales, but after a few iterations of that people wise up.

If the effective lifespan of an iPad for out-of-the-box smoothness and performance is 2 years, then there will be some/many who will consider buying cheaper alternatives that need to be upgraded as frequently.

I'm not concerned about future APIs running on my current iPad, but I am concerned about the things that I currently do working smoothly. And right now, I'm "forced" to upgrade iOS to receive security fixes which ends up in degraded performance.

 

[Max(IT)]

Fragmentation already exists. It might increase fragmentation but it isn't a gateway to it.

Your viewpoint places a greater importance on API implementation and deployment over customer satisfaction and protecting their investment. That's good for short-term sales, but after a few iterations of that people wise up.

If the effective lifespan of an iPad for out-of-the-box smoothness and performance is 2 years, then there will be some/many who will consider buying cheaper alternatives that need to be upgraded as frequently.

I'm not concerned about future APIs running on my current iPad, but I am concerned about the things that I currently do working smoothly. And right now, I'm "forced" to upgrade iOS to receive security fixes which ends up in degraded performance.

If you're not going to use a 4 years old devices, not.
All the whining are about ridiculously old devices like the iPad 2.
On an iPad 4 iOS 8.1 is running just fine.

 

[C DM]

Offering a downgrade option is an open door to fragmentation. Just think about new APIs introduced by iOS 7 and iOS 8 ? Apps updated to take advantage by using those APIs would be incompatible with a downgraded iDevice.
Not a scenario Apple would love. And me too.

So the people who downgrade wouldn't be able to use those type of apps. That's the trade off for them. Not sure how that really has any impact on anyone else or Apple or anything like that.

 

[GoSh4rks]

If you're not going to use a 4 years old devices, not.
All the whining are about ridiculously old devices like the iPad 2.
On an iPad 4 iOS 8.1 is running just fine.

Except the currently available iPad mini 1 is exactly the same as an iPad 2.

 

[Count Blah]

If you're not going to use a 4 years old devices, not.
All the whining are about ridiculously old devices like the iPad 2.
On an iPad 4 iOS 8.1 is running just fine.

Which apple was selling how recently? Along with the original iPad mini, and the iPod touch they are selling now.

Why is it whining, when it's what apple has been selling?

Oh crap, I just saw who I am responding to - Nevermind. We know - Apple can do no wrong. Good bye.

 

[Italianblend]

All the whining are about ridiculously old devices like the iPad 2.
.

Are you saying that a customer who purchased an iPad 2 when it was released does not have the right to expect that iPad 2 to continue performing as it did when it was purchased?

 

[Imory]

If you're not going to use a 4 years old devices, not.
All the whining are about ridiculously old devices like the iPad 2.
On an iPad 4 iOS 8.1 is running just fine.

Many are reporting severe problems with iOS 8.1 on the iPad Air.

 

[I7guy]

Are you saying that a customer who purchased an iPad 2 when it was released does not have the right to expect that iPad 2 to continue performing as it did when it was purchased?

I would be happy with slowdown in non-critical places for many times the functionality. Ipad 2 was released with IOS 5. Ios 6,7,8 all had major issues. Eventually Apple sorted them all out. I'm happy with my iPad 2 on 8.1.2 and glad Apple supports it.