Could 4, 2011: Stories flow into that Apple is negotiating with carriers to deliver over-the-air updates to iOS, starting with iOS 5.
Such a transfer would free iPhone homeowners from utilizing iTunes to get updates for his or her gadgets. Meaning no extra plugging an iPhone into a pc by way of USB to obtain the newest model of iOS.
The primary over-the-air iOS replace
As I’ve famous earlier than in “Today in Apple history,” the method of upgrading to the newest software program has gotten immeasurably simpler through the years. Again within the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, Mac updates got here on floppy disks or, later, CD-ROMs. These demanded premium costs, even after they weren’t full releases. This additionally meant Apple issued fewer updates due to the bodily prices concerned in transport out the software program.
Proper from the beginning, customers may obtain iOS updates as a result of working system’s smaller file measurement in comparison with the Mac working system. (iOS was additionally accessible without spending a dime to iPhone customers. iPod contact prospects paid $10 for the primary couple of updates.)
Nonetheless, getting the newest iOS replace by way of iTunes proved a cumbersome course of. Android, in contrast, provided over-the-air updates as far back as February 2009.
iOS 5.0.1 brings ‘PC-free’ updates to iPhones
In the long run, the rumors of OTA iOS updates circulating on Could 4, 2011, turned out to be proper on the cash. In November, Apple issued iOS 5.0.1, its first “PC-free” replace for its cell working system.
All in all, 2011 proved fairly a big yr when it comes to how Apple issued all its software program updates. That yr’s Mac OS X Lion marked the primary time Apple didn’t initially announce bodily distribution on CD or DVD-ROM of a brand new Mac working system.
As a substitute, customers downloaded the working system at house. Alternatively, they might do it by way of an in-store obtain at an Apple retail location. Later, Apple gave customers the choice to purchase a preloaded USB flash drive on-line.
As of late, in fact, Apple pushes out free variations of iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS, in addition to firmware updates for gadgets like AirPods, HomePods and even battery packs.
What are your most memorable software-updating recollections? Do you keep in mind iOS earlier than over-the-air updates? Go away your feedback beneath.