On Wednesday Apple released iOS 7, the biggest update to the mobile operating system since it first launched, to an expectant public. Users attempting to update can expect frustration as Apple’s delivery mechanisms are hammered for the first few days. When iOS6 was released last year, more than 100 million users attempted to download the update within the first week.
The new OS can only be installed via wifi or a cable connection to iTunes but one of the new features Apple has snuck in is an increase to the data cap allowed for cellular over the air (OTA) app updates. Users can now install application updates up to 100MB in size over the cellular network. This is an increase from previous caps of 50MB.
Over in the Android world however, operating system updates have been rolled out over cellular for some time already. This week Android champions are pushing a Jelly Bean Android 4.3 update to several devices including the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Play editions, reportedly to fix a security bug first unveiled in a Bitcoin heist in August. Android developers confirmed a cryptographic vulnerability in the operating system that compromised security on thousands of applications.
The update was rolled out to Android Nexus branded devices earlier this month.
In some cases it may take several months between devices leaving the production line to reaching consumers’ hands and vendors and carriers need to have a system in place to push out new features, so OTA software updates are a must. It was reported Thursday that iOS 7.0.1 has already been released for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c to fix a Touch ID bug and users will be prompted to update as soon as they activate their new devices.
For more information on establishing an Over the Air update system to keep users happy and devices updated, sign up to our webinar: Optimizing the user experience with Over-the-Air (OTA) updates.
The Broadband World Forum is taking place on the 22nd – 24th October 2013 at the RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre, Amsterdam. Click here to download a brochure for the event and here to register for a conference pass.