iOS 5 may bring OTA updates to iPhone

By on May 5, 2011 at 8:15 AM
mobile May 5, 2011

Apple is set to give the world its first look at iOS 5 next month at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference, and a new report from 9to5 Mac suggests one of the new features in the coming operating system update may be an over the air updating mechanism. Apple’s iOS updating system is currently a mixed bag — it often takes an excessive amount of time to download a new OS build, back up a device, apply an update and then restore the device from the back up, but it also means restoring devices and switching phones is extremely simple. 9to5 Mac claims to have confirmed with multiple anonymous sources that updates delivered following Apple’s iOS 5 release could take advantage of a new OTA update mechanism that will deliver incremental updates directly to devices rather than to iTunes. The report specifically notes that Apple has been in talks with Verizon Wireless regarding OTA updates, though the feature would obviously be available to any carriers that agree to deliver the updates over their networks. OTA updates would certainly be a welcome addition to iOS — let’s just hope we also get a solid new notification system so those OTA update messages aren’t quite as intrusive.

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  • Anonymous

    OTA Updates, new notification system, 4″ screen for iPhone5? Perhaps iWidgets? #TryingToCatchUpToAndroid

    • http://www.droiddoes.com/ Norm

      They can’t catch up with DROID. The good ol boys at Mountain View are so far ahead in the game that Apple will no longer exist within the next 1-2 years.

      • http://profiles.google.com/trick202 Rich Fletcher

        That’s hilarious!

        I assume you are being ironic?

      • John

        i think you mean Android* but yeah..

      • IamEzio

        DROID is not even an OS , it just phone series from Verizon (not so good phone series )

      • Joebutler

        Not so good must translate to significantly better hardware than the iPhone 4 and twice as many features. But then again if you are a fan of restrictions and arbitrary rules then Apple is where the real value is.

      • Joebutler

        Not so good must translate to significantly better hardware than the iPhone 4 and twice as many features. But then again if you are a fan of restrictions and arbitrary rules then Apple is where the real value is.

      • Joebutler

        Not so good must translate to significantly better hardware than the iPhone 4 and twice as many features. But then again if you are a fan of restrictions and arbitrary rules then Apple is where the real value is.

      • TuhTuhTourrr!!!

        I sincerely admire your ability to consistently throw grenades into the comment section and then sit back and watch the carnage. You sir, are a virtuoso!

    • Anonymous

      Apple will never catch up to the number of fragmented OSs out there for Android.

      • Droidman101

        Hm…?
        Theres: ios 2 for the first iphone
        ios 3 for the second iphone
        ios 4 for the third iphone
        ios 5 soon for the fourth iphone
        For android theres:
        1.6
        2.1
        2.2
        2.3
        BUT THANKS FOR TRYING

      • Anonymous

        could you now enumerate the specific android OS versions currently available for every android handset sold worldwide, from every manufacturer? for example, each samsung handset, each HTC handset, each LG handset, each motorola handset, and so on?

        GOOD LUCK TRYING

      • Jamerson90

        Really?

        iOS versions
        1.0
        1.0.1
        1.0.2
        1.1
        1.1.1
        1.1.2
        1.1.3
        1.1.4
        1.1.5
        2.0
        2.0.1
        2.0.2
        2.1
        2.2
        2.2.1
        3.0
        3.0.1
        3.1
        3.1.3 (Ipod Touch 1st Gen is stuck here)
        3.2
        3.2.1
        3.2.2
        4.0
        4.0.1
        4.0.2
        4.1
        4.2
        4.2.1 (iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2nd gen stuck here)
        4.2.5
        4.2.6
        4.2.7
        4.2.8 (CDMA iPhone)
        4.3
        4.3.1
        4.3.2
        4.3.3 (iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPod Touch 3rd and 4th gen, iPad 1 and 2)

      • Jamerson90

        Really?

        iOS versions
        1.0
        1.0.1
        1.0.2
        1.1
        1.1.1
        1.1.2
        1.1.3
        1.1.4
        1.1.5
        2.0
        2.0.1
        2.0.2
        2.1
        2.2
        2.2.1
        3.0
        3.0.1
        3.1
        3.1.3 (Ipod Touch 1st Gen is stuck here)
        3.2
        3.2.1
        3.2.2
        4.0
        4.0.1
        4.0.2
        4.1
        4.2
        4.2.1 (iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2nd gen stuck here)
        4.2.5
        4.2.6
        4.2.7
        4.2.8 (CDMA iPhone)
        4.3
        4.3.1
        4.3.2
        4.3.3 (iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPod Touch 3rd and 4th gen, iPad 1 and 2)

      • Anonymous

        @Jamerson, let’s be clear, culling from your list OSs that are the “current” version for Apple’s available handsets:

        List the most current iOS for EACH iPhone currently sold on the market:

        4.2.8 (CDMA iPhone 4 [VZW])
        4.3.3 (iPhone 3Gs [ATT], iPhone 4 [ATT])

        Now, please prepare a similar list of each Android OS version for each and every android handset currently sold on the market, by all manufacturers…

        Oh, and FYI, see if you can limit your list of current android OS versions to two, in case you don’t understand what “current” and handsets “on the market” means.

      • Droidman101

        Ok, versions being sold:
        2.1-these handsets are at present being updated to 2.2 (samsung galaxy s, lg ally) and these will most likely be updated (motorola titanium)
        2.2-these handsets are droid (1), Samsung Galaxy S and lg ally, ones likely to be updated to 2.3 (droid incredible, Droid Charge, Droid incredible 2, Thunderbolt)
        2.3-(nexus S, 1, Samsung Galaxy S II, Droid X)
        3.0-tablets (eee pad, xoom, Gtab, Flyer)

      • Joebutler

        Skins are placed on top of the operating system by the manufacturers. Skins are not operating systems. There are about as many Android operating systems in use right now as iOS ones. And I use the term OS lightly in referring to iOS because it’s basically a black background with apps. No home screens, no widgets, little to no custimization, just an app launcher. Actually I forgot it doesn’t need to be a black background anymore, the iPhone 4 added the magical new ability to choose your own wallpaper. Innovation indeed.

      • Anonymous

        Lol, I wasn’t even including the myriad of fragmented android skins. But correct me if I am wrong, there are android handsets, still currently sold on the market, that are using these as their most current OS:

        Android 1.6 (Donut) (e.g., Samsung Behold)
        Android 2.1 (Eclair) (e.g., Motorola XPRT, announced today)
        Android 2.2 (Froyo) (e.g. HTC Droid Incredible 2)
        Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) (e.g., Nexus S)
        Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) (e.g., Xoom)

      • Anonymous

        What, do you need your OS to be geeked out? Does it need to be flashy?

        Seriously, on a mobile device, what does iOS *not* do that you need it to do? Apps are what adds functionality. An OS’s job is to facilitate the use of apps, so that they’re easy to use, are stable, and efficiently manages the limited battery life.

        People like over-complicated things because they look “cooler”.

      • Droidman101

        “An OS is supposed to facilitate the use of apps”
        NOTIFICATION SYSTEM screams out here
        Also, a phone OS is supposed to be, in order of importance:
        A PHONE(texts, calling, etc.)
        Browsing the internet/Social Networking
        Emails
        Camera
        THEN apps
        But thanks for trying

  • http://www.carolinasecurity.com Ken Cagle

    Oh well there goes the updates! Bad move Apple less people will have updated iPhones. Verizon does not need to be in charge of updating iPhones. They will monkey wrench this whole project. Apple needs to put the pipe down this is crazy talk.

    • Jamerson90

      If this is true, apple can control the updates like google controls the updates for the Nexus one and Nexus S. They get updates whenever Google wants them.

      • Anonymous

        Over the air does not necessarily mean 3g. I would assume Apple would go wi-fi and release them as they always have done, but without the computer.

      • Jamerson90

        I didn’t say anything about the network it would be downloaded over. Im sure they will do it over wifi, but the guy I replied to stated that people with iPhones would no longer get their updates quickly because of android updates, which is false. OTA /= long wait time on android on Google experience devices. Now Samsung phones with touchwiz….. they have issues with updates.

      • Anonymous

        I am guessing WiFi only, like video downloads. And it will still run through iTunes, and you will get backed up to MobileMe/iCloud.

        Same for activations. You’ll need to create an iTunes account first, of course. Apple wants you tied to the iTunes ecosystem, thus my theory for why Apple currently requires tethered activations and updates.

        Speaking of backups, how cool would it be to have your iOS device be able to do TimeMachine-esque backups to MobileMe/iCloud at regular automatic intervals over WiFi, like every night?

    • IamEzio

      the iTunes is always there :P

      • John

        ugh don’t remind us

      • Anonymous

        iTunes is also already on iOS devices (pretty much a full version on the iPad). When combined with the ability to backup to MobileMe/iCloud OTA (WiFi), the need for a PC is nonexistent.

  • http://tuananh.us tuan anh

    >let’s just hope we also get a solid new notification system so those OTA update messages aren’t quite as >intrusive.

    haha

  • Steve blowJobs

    Iphone sucks

    Next comenter is steves turd stuffer

    • IamEzio

      iPhones so suck , and yet you click on article ,
      weird …

  • Anonymous

    Will an OTA bring down AT&T????

    Imagine if every one flush the toilet during Superbowl half time.

    • Anonymous

      given AT&Ts all but unusable “network” in NYC – i think OTAs are a very, very BAD idea

      AT&T needs to first focus on something a wee nip less ambitious, say, the ability to consistently and reliable send TXTs in the city?

      baby steps AT&T, baby steps

      • Anonymous

        OTA can also refer to WiFi, as in not needing to tether to a PC. Certain other downloads on iOS are already WiFi only, like iTunes videos.

      • Anonymous

        Yes that’s a valid point. Being in the city, I rely predominantly on Wi-Fi when at home, but I cant join networks at my two office locations because there is little/no AT&T coverage – hence I cant use my (AT&T) phone whilst at work during the week (must rely on VZW BB which of course has 5 bars of signal everywhere).

  • Anonymous

    Hello, Data Cap.

    • Shanghai Dan

      More like “Hello extra revenue” for everyone who will blow through their data cap…

      Since Apple gets a chunk of the data stream revenue, I wonder if they’ll do faster updates of worthless features to their OS? That would allow them to push more people over their cap, and thus pay more revenue to Apple…

      • http://profiles.google.com/booboolala2000 Patrick Crumpler

        typucally, ota updates run on some subsystem of the data stream and you can still use the phone while it downloads in the background, at least in Android you can. You are not charged for the data downloaded required for the update.

      • http://profiles.google.com/booboolala2000 Patrick Crumpler

        typucally, ota updates run on some subsystem of the data stream and you can still use the phone while it downloads in the background, at least in Android you can. You are not charged for the data downloaded required for the update.

      • http://profiles.google.com/booboolala2000 Patrick Crumpler

        typucally, ota updates run on some subsystem of the data stream and you can still use the phone while it downloads in the background, at least in Android you can. You are not charged for the data downloaded required for the update.

    • Kgunz

      They will make u download it over a wifi duh

      • Anonymous

        Clearly.

  • Anonymous

    Can you say, “Goodbye Jailbreak.”

    • http://profiles.google.com/trick202 Rich Fletcher

      Why? Did they say the updates were compulsory?

      • Anonymous

        Do you honestly think that they’re going to warn you about ‘compulsory’ updates, especially if they’re trying to abolish Jailbreaking?

      • Anonymous

        I imagine it would be similar to updates for various apps, where you get a notification of some sort that an update is available.

        That’s how it is currently in iTunes.

      • http://profiles.google.com/trick202 Rich Fletcher

        Do you honestly think that my iPhone will just start updating on it’s own? Why would it? My MBP doesn’t do that.

        You’re strangely paranoid.

    • http://twitter.com/swingkat Swingkat

      Let’s hope it’s not automatic and they don’t replace computer restore for this reason.

      • Anonymous

        It’ll be interesting if they completely do away with Computer Restore; but, not surprising. Chances are if you are a postpaid subscriber, without a jailbroken phone, “OTA” will be automatic.

      • Anonymous

        I’m guessing the long-term strategy it to separate iDevices from the computer entirely. Right now, the PC serves to backup up data and sync content. If content is synced in the iCloud/MobileMe, and data is backed up there as well, activations, updates, restores could be done directly on the phone (likely using the iTunes app and an iTunes account) over WiFi.

  • Anonymous

    Wait, so this is news? Apple “may” include a feature that has been available from other companies for years? I’m failing to see the importance here…

    • Droidman101

      Welcome to android 0.9!(its a unreleased build, the first version of android, from 3 years ago)

    • Joebutler

      It’s only news when Apple does it. Did you hear the iPhone 5 might have an 8MP camera as read from a CNN main Headline.

      • Anonymous

        The iPhone 4′s 5MP camera is already better than the majority of 8MP cameras. MP’s are all marketing with little substance.

  • http://twitter.com/mfg68 MFG

    Who caressssss

  • Jamma

    Welcome to the real world…last to do it but don’t worry it will be better than how any other company does it. LOL #Fail

    • Anonymous

      You’d rather people not improve and refine existing ideas?

  • Bobdonhim

    BlackBerry has been doing this for years. Apple is soooooo 2007 with their new “features”

  • http://profiles.google.com/booboolala2000 Patrick Crumpler

    Great, another excuse as to why an update will take so long. These crappy carriers only do one update at a time. Even if there are three updates to do. I hope they are delivered in the same order that they were recieved.

  • BerryKing

    I can just imagine Apple fan boys saying THAT is inovation! Wow! OTA has been here for awhile now but just like any other thing, Apple must have been the first to do it withh OS5 while from this site perspective, Blackberry which is suposively a dinosaur in smartphones, had that for a good amount of time now! Like since the first iphone! No news here! Move along…

  • gagagagoose

    Welcome to 2011, Apple!

  • bert

    I am actually hoping that Apple stays away from this. I will be ditching my Android in two months when my upgrade is available in part due to the upgrade issue. The OTA updates through the carriers stink. I have no doubt that the carriers will want to “test” them out prior to releasing them. Just look at what a mess the OTAs are for WP7 and Android. Plus they generally only allow a fraction to update every day. That stinks.

  • CMC

    That’s awesome. So now AT&T users will have to pay for that data usage as well. Brilliant1

  • Anonymous

    So the only way to currently update your iPhone is hooking it up to iTunes?

    • Anonymous

      Yes, since that is also how the phone is backed up. A backup is required for all updates.

  • Cer

    Interesting. I always thought iOS had OTA updates for incremental (decimal point) releases.

  • Anonymous

    OTA *can* mean that it is simply wireless, as in over WiFi connecting to Apple’s servers (MobileMe/iCloud). It doesn’t strictly mean that it’s through AT&T/Verizon. Apple doesn’t cede control to carriers like that.

  • Roland

    yeah you’re right, SOLID NEW NOTIFICATION SYS.

    I just dont get it, ios already have their 4 head, but those notification system really like a toy

  • Applesucksfatties

    I’m guessing all of the iTards drinking the apple flavored iKool-aid will be screaming from the rooftops how great their new device will be… but little do they know that many other phones already have OTA updates, a native messaging app, etc…. and they don’t need a phone condom to get reception…

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