The way Apple handles iOS upgrades is almost criminal.

[iRoRo]

Exactly. People kinda forget that one big reason Windows is a monstrosity is because they kept trying to keep giant piles of legacy code in there so people running old toasters with broken third party software could still use it.

IMO what Apple should do, rather than putting updates that mess with old systems, is just make the generational cutoff for updates more like... 2. So this go-round the 5 would be the oldest phone that gets new versions, and so forth.

With you on that call!

Yes, and 4S users should be able to downgrade to iOS 7.1.2; 4 users to iOS 6.1.3 if so desired.

Will ensure that a device will only have what it is capable of and no baggage from previous generations.

Although if you know what to do within Windows XP, I know you can surgically remove 80% of legacy support/ drivers, for instance 3 1/2" floppy drives/ 28.8k & 56k modems etc.. from the OS to suite your hardware, leaving a quicker OS.
Which was why Windows XP was so much in favour of the end-users until the implementation of vista and windows 8 <back on topic>

 

[C DM]

With you on that call!

Yes, and 4S users should be able to downgrade to iOS 7.1.2; 4 users to iOS 6.1.3 if so desired.

Will ensure that a device will only have what it is capable of and no baggage from previous generations.

Although if you know what to do within Windows XP, I know you can surgically remove 80% of legacy support/ drivers, for instance 3 1/2" floppy drives/ 28.8k & 56k modems etc.. from the OS to suite your hardware, leaving a quicker OS.
Which was why Windows XP was so much in favour of the end-users until the implementation of vista and windows 8 <back on topic>

Although hopefully not 6.1.3 as that is one of the versions that has a fairly big known security hole.

 

[newellj]

Although hopefully not 6.1.3 as that is one of the versions that has a fairly big known security hole.

Which is why back grades ain't gonna happen.

 

[2984839]

Yeah it stopped MSFT from bloat. /snark

You could say the same thing about cutting off old devices from the newer OS. However, now you have to support both old and new OS. Its better to force people into the new one. So you don't have your resources divided in half trying to fix twice as many bugs.

I'm not saying they should support old operating systems or old software. That's what leads to bloat, especially in Windows. I'm saying they make sure the current OS runs smoothly on old hardware. This forces developers to be more careful about resource usage, which benefits everyone, including the most modern devices.

 

[apple.snapple]

I would personally love to see a iOS version selector in the software "update" screen.... If you are running a iPhone 2G (2007) and select iOS8.1.1, you will get a warning saying "you will run slow and features will be missing, but if you want it, here you go". Once the update process is finished, they will quickly figure out how unusable the phone is and will quickly go back to whatever iPhone 2G is compatible with (iOS 2? 3?). Very similarly to how you can update any computer to the newest Windows 8.1 as long as you meet the minimum requirements. It might be slow as hell, but you did it to yourself.

Obviously this will never happen.
It would cause Apple's "look at how many users we have on the latest iOS" numbers to drop because people would stick with the iOS version that works best with the hardware.

 

[Italianblend]

Apple does seem to be obsessed with ios 8 conversion rates. Is it a stroke of their ego? Does it net them more revenue? Why do they brag about such things?

 

[apple.snapple]

Apple does seem to be obsessed with ios 8 conversion rates. Is it a stroke of their ego? Does it net them more revenue? Why do they brag about such things?

Well, if you watch the keynotes, every single time they flash their "latest iOS numbers", it's ALWAYS followed by "NOW LOOK AT GOOGLE 10% ON 5.0 HAR HAR HAR".

They use this info to sell developers on the "fragmentation" idea that says "if you develop for this particular OS, you will only be getting 10% of the customers".

 

[C DM]

Which is why back grades ain't gonna happen.

Well they do have 6.1.6 just never released it for iPhone 4. Can be done fairly easily as they similarly do security updates for OS X versions that are slightly older the the most current.

 

[Italianblend]

You don't have to update your software unless you want new function - if you do it may run slower - if you don't you can have your old but less function device.

Nobody here is arguing that Apple absolutely forces you to upgrade the iOS.

The argument is that Apple doesn't tell you that your device may not be well-suited for it. Click on this update, It provides improvements is all it says.

 

[Tubamajuba]

I would personally love to see a iOS version selector in the software "update" screen.... If you are running a iPhone 2G (2007) and select iOS8.1.1, you will get a warning saying "you will run slow and features will be missing, but if you want it, here you go". Once the update process is finished, they will quickly figure out how unusable the phone is and will quickly go back to whatever iPhone 2G is compatible with (iOS 2? 3?). Very similarly to how you can update any computer to the newest Windows 8.1 as long as you meet the minimum requirements. It might be slow as hell, but you did it to yourself.

Obviously this will never happen.
It would cause Apple's "look at how many users we have on the latest iOS" numbers to drop because people would stick with the iOS version that works best with the hardware.

You're suggesting that Apple make every single version of iOS compatible with every single iOS device? Do you have any understanding of how complicated that process would be? It's not a matter of simply allowing an IPSW file to be installed on a device that it previously wasn't able to run on. So much re-engineering would have to take place that it would be ridiculous.

Apple needs to focus on the latest version of iOS only. Taking resources away from iOS 8 to work on obsolete versions of iOS would make iOS worse. Not to mention, developers would have to do infinitely more work to optimize their apps for hundreds more possible combinations of software and hardware.

If you want more freedom in choosing your OS version, Android is your best bet.

 

[apple.snapple]

You're suggesting that Apple make every single version of iOS compatible with every single iOS device? Do you have any understanding of how complicated that process would be? It's not a matter of simply allowing an IPSW file to be installed on a device that it previously wasn't able to run on. So much re-engineering would have to take place that it would be ridiculous.

Apple needs to focus on the latest version of iOS only. Taking resources away from iOS 8 to work on obsolete versions of iOS would make iOS worse. Not to mention, developers would have to do infinitely more work to optimize their apps for hundreds more possible combinations of software and hardware.

If you want more freedom in choosing your OS version, Android is your best bet.

I understand what you are saying. Instead, then, how about being able to reinstall whatever OS came with the phone PLUS the newest version that is available... so 2 options. If you go back, however, you run the risk of outdated security, fewer apps to pick from, and no support from Apple.

 

[Darkrider]

It's really not cool, and here's why:

You have a cool apple device that works fine. Oh look, there's a new ios update, cool! It popped up on my screen. That means that it's an improvement and a normal upgrade. I will get it. I can't wait to try it out.

Now, my ipod, ipad, iphone, etc, is slower that it was before. This new ios is slowing things down. And, I can't downgrade back? Now, I have to buy a brand new device so that it runs smoothly when my device was working perfectly a few minutes ago?

Well, personally, I feel as if it's borderline criminal to offer upgrades that cripple their own devices. If apple is the transparent company they claim to be, they should inform its customers as to the version of ios that runs the best on their device, and then allow them to use it.

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.

Not trying to put you down but I can tell you don't understand how updates work. Coming from a IT background and being a system administrator. Updates are needed for security and bug fixes that are found. Now with that being said any kind of update has the chance of breaking something else or making another problem happen. Even though they test updates before they are release its impossible for them to do real world testing because not everyone using the same setting and the same setup and that is why some time updates will cost you issues.

 

[Tubamajuba]

I understand what you are saying. Instead, then, how about being able to reinstall whatever OS came with the phone PLUS the newest version that is available... so 2 options. If you go back, however, you run the risk of outdated security, fewer apps to pick from, and no support from Apple.

That seems like a pretty good compromise. It gives users some options without making things too much more difficult for developers. I'd be all for that.

 

[sunking101]

Not trying to put you down but I can tell you don't understand how updates work. Coming from a IT background and being a system administrator. Updates are needed for security and bug fixes that are found. Now with that being said any kind of update has the chance of breaking something else or making another problem happen. Even though they test updates before they are release its impossible for them to do real world testing because not everyone using the same setting and the same setup and that is why some time updates will cost you issues.

They could patch the security issues and besides, newer versions of iOS always come with their own security flaws.
As for being impossible to test updates that's baloney. If a new version of iOS slows down older hardware then this is not only historically 'normal', but also instantly noticeable.

 

[_Refurbished_]

It is the way of life, same goes on PC's when you get the new latest software or OS it is bound to run slower on your older hardware.

Not true with recent versions of Windows. Quite the opposite actually.

It's very simple: Don't upgrade right away. Wait to see the performance of your device on the new software. After the iPhone 3G, I refuse to upgrade any Apple device onto the atest software. I'd rather have my speed.

 

[Italianblend]

Not true with recent versions of Windows. Quite the opposite actually.

It's very simple: Don't upgrade right away. Wait to see the performance of your device on the new software.

I'm worried about the people who don't post on message boards. Your random person that thinks "oh, Apple improved their software. I better get it."

 

[I7guy]

I'm worried about the people who don't post on message boards. Your random person that thinks "oh, Apple improved their software. I better get it."

Why are YOU worried about the random person who updates their software?

 

[lockerc18]

I don't believe Apple is on a strategy of planned obsolescence where they stuff some kind of bloat code into a new release only so that it would make older devices run more slowly, as an inducement to force customers to upgrade their hardware.

I do think, though, that Apple does put new functions into IOS which are tuned to the capabilities of new hardware, like displays and processors, and that these can run slower on older hardware. Such is life. New functions can't always run optimally on old hardware.

But the thing that REALLY irks me is when functions in a new release are broken. The example I've whined about elsewhere here is cut/paste. IOS8.0 broke that, and it was partially fixed in 8.1 (IIRC). But it's broken again in 8.1.1 (at least for me - it seems to work for others). That kind of regression is inexcusable. Criminal? Nah. But much more of that will turn customers like me off, and many will leave Apple a result. Apple really needs to do a better job of their QA.

 

[iRoRo]

Apple really needs to do a better job of their QA.

Just as a matter of interest, how do Apple conduct their Quality Assurance on iOS?

Lab testing (as is probably)
Compatibilty testing with apps
Compatibilty testing with new/ older hardware/ firmware
Any 'Real world testing'?

Perhaps allocating a larger budget and delayed timescale towards further testing would be a strategy for customer satisfaction.
Great future PR for (a bit more publicity/ transparency on this to start with)

I'd certainly be prepared to wait longer in the knowledge there would be less bugs/ security issues for my next iPhone.

 

[m4v3r1ck]

As I regretfully updated my iPhone 4 to iOS 7, because it has become very sluggisch, I'm very hesitating to update my iPad3 to iOS 8.1.1!

Is my hesitation justified or not?

I hate the fact that a roll-back is a no go with Apple devices! WOW, regarding the price payed for them, it's an outrage!

 

[s2mikey]

I understand what you are saying. Instead, then, how about being able to reinstall whatever OS came with the phone PLUS the newest version that is available... so 2 options. If you go back, however, you run the risk of outdated security, fewer apps to pick from, and no support from Apple.

That sounds fair. Put some of the own-ness on the device user but at least give them some options. People like options.....!

 

[m4v3r1ck]

That sounds fair. Put some of the own-ness on the device user but at least give them some options. People like options.....!

People like options, customers like alternatives!

 

[abhi0n0nakul]

Yes apple should be signing all the ios for all the devices all the time.
so that anyone can use any ios..

Mac is good in that reguard.. any osx can be installed.

 

[azhava]

I understand what you are saying. Instead, then, how about being able to reinstall whatever OS came with the phone PLUS the newest version that is available... so 2 options. If you go back, however, you run the risk of outdated security, fewer apps to pick from, and no support from Apple.

People who aren't savvy enough to realize the potential impact of a newer OS on older devices also most likely aren't savvy enough to realize that a lot of apps in the App Store aren't going to work on their device with a legacy OS. As an example, it would be even worse than the legions of nimrods who purchased GPS/mapping apps for their iPod Touches, not realizing that said device didn't have a GPS chip, then raised hell about it.

 

[iRoRo]

Perhaps another thing missing from this poll is:
Should apple force feed device updates OTA?