[MiniEmma]

Hi

I am considering a new smartphone but I am concerned with the constant OS updates making some devices and apps obsolete.

E.g. My daughter bought an iPod Touch 4 and was very happy with it, apps like Temple Run ran smoothly. But then the iPod touch 5 came out and subsequently a new iOS and newer apps were written for the new OS and things like Temple Run 2 were jumpy and her iPod couldn't handle it. All this within 6 months of buying it.

So, my question is, is this just an iDevice/iOS problem or will I experience this on whichever platform I use?

Obviously I am aware that all things update so I guess I just want to know if other platforms update as often as Apple.

[chenks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiniEmma

Obviously I am aware that all things update so I guess I just want to know if other platforms update as often as Apple.

yes they do

[Quackers]

If you get the latest iPhone today you should be good for quite a few years.

The iPhone 4 for example which was released in 2010 is still supported today by the latest iOS 6, and will support the iOS 7 when released, so guessing that would give the iPhone 4 a good 5 years of usefulness before being classed as obsolete, (2010 to 1015ish) and even then you could still make calls, use the web browser and use some apps. So if you got an iPhone 5 today i would expect 5 years before it became seriously out of date.

[alanwarwic]

Hardware revisions and omissions make stuff obsolete.
http://www.osnews.com/story/27077/iO...d_applications

Interestingly other smartphones are Cooked up as 'being feature phones', though I think of the world's main smartphone system as being a more future proof full on PC with alternative OS installs allowed.

[Lidtop2013]

If anything IOS updates less than Android and supports older devices for WAY longer than Android.

That's one of the reasons I don't use Android as you only have the latest greatest phone for a few months until something superior is out.

[MiniEmma]

Thanks all

[PollyPerm]

Yes, but if you look on the Google Play store, most common apps only need 2.3 onwards, so even older phones are compatible. Also, you can still buy plenty of lower spec phones today that only sport Android 2.3... so even though technically, they bring out a newer OS and its no longer the current version, it's less of an issue. This has been made even more the case with the introduction of Google Play Services.

Apple on the other hand manage the app store more closely, so they dictate what version OS is required for developers to add their apps. This was well documented online when Apple wouldnt let Whatsapp add an app update without restricting it to iOS 4.3 onwards, which then meant all iPhone 3g users were left Whatsapp-less - without warning!

[kidspud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PollyPerm

Yes, but if you look on the Google Play store, most common apps only need 2.3 onwards, so even older phones are compatible. Also, you can still buy plenty of lower spec phones today that only sport Android 2.3... so even though technically, they bring out a newer OS and its no longer the current version, it's less of an issue. This has been made even more the case with the introduction of Google Play Services.

Apple on the other hand manage the app store more closely, so they dictate what version OS is required for developers to add their apps. This was well documented online when Apple wouldnt let Whatsapp add an app update without restricting it to iOS 4.3 onwards, which then meant all iPhone 3g users were left Whatsapp-less - without warning!

I assume it didn't leave them whatsapp-less as the update would just not been available to them, it didn't remove the app from their phone.

[clubfoot fc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lidtop2013

If anything IOS updates less than Android and supports older devices for WAY longer than Android.

That's one of the reasons I don't use Android as you only have the latest greatest phone for a few months until something superior is out.

New phones and new software are completely different.


I had the same experience as the op with an ipod touch so have gone to android and much prefer it

[Zack06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PollyPerm

Yes, but if you look on the Google Play store, most common apps only need 2.3 onwards, so even older phones are compatible. Also, you can still buy plenty of lower spec phones today that only sport Android 2.3... so even though technically, they bring out a newer OS and its no longer the current version, it's less of an issue. This has been made even more the case with the introduction of Google Play Services.

Apple on the other hand manage the app store more closely, so they dictate what version OS is required for developers to add their apps. This was well documented online when Apple wouldnt let Whatsapp add an app update without restricting it to iOS 4.3 onwards, which then meant all iPhone 3g users were left Whatsapp-less - without warning!

Indeed, this is exactly the case. And with the majority of Android devices now running 4.x, compatibility issues are extremely minimal. Only those on 2.3 may suffer a few issues, and even then, some apps designed for 4.x still work. With iOS, you have to be on the latest version for all apps to work it seems. Android apps seem to have wider scope for compatibility.

[kidspud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zack06

Indeed, this is exactly the case. And with the majority of Android devices now running 4.x, compatibility issues are extremely minimal. Only those on 2.3 may suffer a few issues, and even then, some apps designed for 4.x still work. With iOS, you have to be on the latest version for all apps to work it seems. Android apps seem to have wider scope for compatibility.

I didn't think the majority were running 4.x?

Also, we have an iPad 1 which has suffered no compatibility issues so I'm not sure your statements are true.

[Zack06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidspud

I didn't think the majority were running 4.x?

Also, we have an iPad 1 which has suffered no compatibility issues so I'm not sure your statements are true.

You thought wrong. 2.3 - 36.4%, 4.x - 58.6% - http://www.droid-life.com/wp-content...M-650x348.jpeg

My statement is correct. I assume you have updated your iPad to the latest OS version possible.

[Ultraman1966]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lidtop2013

If anything IOS updates less than Android and supports older devices for WAY longer than Android.

That's one of the reasons I don't use Android as you only have the latest greatest phone for a few months until something superior is out.

Your comparison is moot, Android is an OS that's used by tens and possibly (including small companies) of manufacturers so there will be product launches all year round. However, it does not mean that software updates stop after a few months; the SGS2 received their JB update about 3 months ago which is nearly 2 years after the phone first launched.

Also, I don't think updates should be viewed negatively; it should be other way. Free updates to your software over its lifetime should be regarded as a bonus. The only reason it should be seen as a bad thing is if the updates were implemented poorly or broke more than it fixed.

[kidspud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zack06

You thought wrong. 2.3 - 36.4%, 4.x - 58.6% - http://www.droid-life.com/wp-content...M-650x348.jpeg

My statement is correct. I assume you have updated your iPad to the latest OS version possible.

My mistake. You referred to 4.x and not the latest os.

The iPad is on iOS 5 (I think) but it has no issues with using any apps I've tried, although I don't use it very often. So I'm not there is any issue with app compatabilty on the ipad