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SINCE IT WAS released on Wednesday evening, iOS 8 is now on almost half of active iPhone and iPad devices.
Currently, 46% of iPhone and iPad users have downloaded the latest version of iOS, while 49% are still on iOS 7. The remainder 5% are using earlier versions of Apple’s mobile operating system.
The uptake is large, although in this context, the stats was measured by the App Store, meaning those who haven’t visited or downloaded apps weren’t counted. How much of an impact this would have on overall figures is unclear, but since fewer people are downloading apps, it could mean the overall figure might be a tad smaller.
By comparison, Android’s latest update KitKat is available on almost a quarter of devices since it was released last year although the number of manufacturers using their own version of Android, and lower-end devices which can’t update to the latest version, means it’s more fragmented.
If you don’t have iOS 8 already, it’s likely because you don’t have enough space on your phone. The update requires you to have at least 3GB (preferably 3.5GB) free to download and install although there’s a way of bypassing this.
If you connect up your iPhone/iPad to your computer and open up iTunes, you can click on the device icon and check for software updates. This helps bypass the problem of not having enough space on your phone.
If you don’t have that luxury – or you just want to avoid using iTunes – then you will need to free up some space on your device. Some of the more obvious solutions would be uninstalling apps, clearing caches, deleting music, podcasts and video and backing up phone details through iCloud are some of the things you can do to free up space.
Just make sure you can spare an hour for it as server overload meant downloading was slower than usual last week. It shouldn’t be as bad now, but just prepare yourself just in case.
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Updating to latest software effectively kills older devices, forcing those with older phones that are perfectly fine to upgrade.
Silly comment, all operating systems get upgrades, apple is no different. And its the same with all platforms they generally only work with fairly recent devices
Ios8 is only available to iPhone 4s and newer..
Please explain why you think it’s silly to say older devices won’t perform on latest software designed for newer models?
It’s a silly comment because it doesn’t force you to buy a new phone. That’s a choice.
So you’d go without?
You are not forced to upgrade, i know many people still using old90′s Nokia’s. Whatever floats yer boat !!
Spot on. Android 4.4 KitKat is not (officially) supported on Galaxy S (2010). iOS 8.0 is not supported on iPhone 4, also from 2010.
In point of fact, Kit Kat is not officially supported on the Galaxy S II (2011) either so Apple lets you upgrade older kit on this case.
With both Android and Apple, the logic seems to be that if the hardware (either CPU speed or memory) is not up to the job of providing a satisfactory user experience, then the upgrade is not made available. Seems reasonable to me. A typical smartphone user will upgrade every 2 years. Allowing an update on 3 year old technology is good, but since so many things have moved on in 3 years, it is not reasonable to complain about forced obsolescence.
Go without what Fintan? The very latest phone? Yes. I upgrade my phone when the old one stops working.
They have to update the operating systems to stay relevant and to patch security problems (eg, ios8 is supposed to close up a lot of the “back door access” that leave you vulnerable on public WiFi)
The problem is that with each new update the processor gets more to handle, so it needs to be up to task.
Which means that it’s inevitable that what is essentially a computer in your pocket is going to need upgrading every now and again.
My 3Gs is still working fine – iOS7 isn’t an option for me, without even mentioning iOS8
iOS 8 is full of bugs.
Cant wait for further update.
Maybe you should update all your apps, as per the website. Imagine how many Roid users would have updated in this time(2weeks?). Probably having the craic in ignorant bliss. Goes to show the kind of in-tune user that invests in Apple.
Been having nothing but trouble since I updated my phone. Switches itself off, apps constantly crashing or just won’t start up. Samsung here I come.
Good call moving to Android, that way you just don’t get upgrades, or if you do it’ll be a year later and you’ll be looking to get a new phone anyway.
Sounds like your already having the Android experience too.
Not if you have a nexus David.
Headline is possibly misleading. Just because it’s ‘downloaded’ doesn’t mean that it’s installed and ‘running’. Many devices are set up to download updates as soon as they are available, but the user still has to choose to install it.
If I read it correctly the article states the measurement was taken by the App Store. So it’s referring to devices with iOS 8 actually running on them.
Wrong
Can’t use Bluetooth hands free properly since update! is it just me? God be with the days 6310 no worries
Weird comment, hands free blue tooth ? Wtf!
Bluetooth Hands free car kit, hello?
Then why not elucidate said function
Don’t know what that word means but I know what troll means!
Yes Stephen bluetooth handsfree
Does exactly what is says but anything u don’t get u just describe as “silly” r “weird”. If u want to be a good troll u need to be a little bit clever r witty u r none.
Shall i elucidate? Lol
The advantage of forced redundancy.
Have an Iphone 4, I believe you need a 4s or newer to install ios8!
I heard it messes up your iPhone 4, I have one too but haven’t updated, prob won’t either
Yep, only compatible with 4S and above, although from what I’ve read you probably wouldn’t want to put it on a 4S.
Works just fine on my 4S.
5GIGS of space needed to download the iOS 8 update… dont have the space? you could simply add an SD card to expand your memory…. Oh… Wait… Never mind
5gb not needed if downloaded via itunes and its quicker that way
Have a 4s and IOS 8 I think is a bridge too far, from what I hear it will not cope with IOS 8 :(
Installed on my 4s,works but no big deal,if your apps still work and you’re happy enough don’t bother.
Notice the battery drains v fast on 4s :(
Ger, i have a 4s and ios8 works well with it
Kev: Check out battery usage in settings. I had a corrupt app that was eating my battery without it even running. Delete the app and you should be golden. If it’s something you need, download it again.
Working fine on both a 4s and 5, took a while to download as Apple servers were hammered when it was released, I’ve had no issue on either phone!
The dig at Android isn’t accurate – most Android updates are either part of Google Play Services, and that gets pushed to all phones running 2.3 or greater (so reaches effective full distribution within days); or the application is updatable separately, like gmail, YouTube etc.
My iPad is still going strong on iOS 5!
Meh!
An hour free? Took about 5 for me, we don’t all have fast internet.
I installed the update on Friday and so began the nightmare. iPad went into recovery mode and I was in desperate fear not everything was backed up . Things like my sons music were ok in iTunes and things like YouTube and skyhook were going to be ok but his photos didn’t return when I did the restore. Eventually I handed the iPad to my genius nephew who got everything back. It was a heart stopping few hours as my son relies on his iPad for everything almost. Can’t say I have been enjoying the improvements much yet but have no doubt I will in time. My Apple TV never reacts well to software upgrades either tho so far I have managed to keep it alive and kicking
Don’t do it. Phone and iPad slow as
I have noticed that it has difficulty remembering which keyboard you have set as default if you are using a third party one, like swift key (which was the other reason I wanted to update besides the security fixes).
Other than that so far I haven’t noticed much difference at all.
have your say