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The op is correct that apple is forcing iPhone users to upgrades. I was running 2.2.1 on one the iPhones. I followed one of the knowledge based articles to fix a minor network issue. The phone then got stuck at the apple icon and I had to restore. Now the phone is on 3.1.2 with horrible battery life, it is not playing well with my aebs(switched back to linksys).
So apple is forcing users to upgrade whether they want to or not.

Flame on
 
HEY GUISE MAYBE IF I TYPE IN ALL CAPS LIKE THIS PEOPLE WILL LISTEN TO ME /sarcasm. Seriously though stop complaining ever consider the app needs the latest software update to work?! My gosh......
 
The op is correct that apple is forcing iPhone users to upgrades. I was running 2.2.1 on one the iPhones. I followed one of the knowledge based articles to fix a minor network issue. The phone then got stuck at the apple icon and I had to restore. Now the phone is on 3.1.2 with horrible battery life, it is not playing well with my aebs(switched back to linksys).
So apple is forcing users to upgrade whether they want to or not.

Flame on

Well, I don't mean this to be a flame, but...a couple issues:

1. The OP's post shows that, in this case, it is the application which requires the upgrade, not the iPhone itself.

2. It is common for *any* software vendor to require an upgrade IF the user experiences a problem with a very old version. Software vendors shouldn't be expected to support older major versions (e.g. 2.x in this case) of their software in perpetuity. That doesn't mean that older versions won't work, but when a user calls for support, a software vendor will usually ask the user to upgrade.
 
No one is forcing you to do anything. Dont upgrade: dont get app. The app needs the new software to work.

Well, I don't mean this to be a flame, but...a couple issues:

1. The OP's post shows that, in this case, it is the application which requires the upgrade, not the iPhone itself.

2. It is common for *any* software vendor to require an upgrade IF the user experiences a problem with a very old version. Software vendors shouldn't be expected to support older major versions (e.g. 2.x in this case) of their software in perpetuity. That doesn't mean that older versions won't work, but when a user calls for support, a software vendor will usually ask the user to upgrade.

Correct on #2.

It is standard for all support to ask if you are using the latest version of whatever, if not they tell you to upgrade right off the bat. 99% of the time that resolves the issue.

If you don't want to upgrade, don't. However, don't complain when you can't use an app. You can't have both.
 
If you don't want to upgrade, don't. However, don't complain when you can't use an app. You can't have both.

This is the important part here. You don't have to upgrade if you don't want. I'm sure there's several reasons why someone wouldn't want the latest firmware version.

The part that strikes me as stupid is Apple not allowing users to choose which firmware they want to use. So what if I prefer 1.1.3. What's it to you Apple? It think it's just plain silly that they've made all past versions unaccessable in favor of the newest firmware. Of course it goes without saying that if you have an issue with your choice firmware, don't expect to walk into an Apple store and get the same treatment as someone who's running the latest firmware. But the choice should be there. If I have a problem and need a restore I shouldn't be forced into the latest version.

Sorry to all those that like to sing "nobody's forcing you" but that's exactly what Apple is doing.
 
This is the important part here. You don't have to upgrade if you don't want. I'm sure there's several reasons why someone wouldn't want the latest firmware version.

The part that strikes me as stupid is Apple not allowing users to choose which firmware they want to use. So what if I prefer 1.1.3. What's it to you Apple? It think it's just plain silly that they've made all past versions unaccessable in favor of the newest firmware. Of course it goes without saying that if you have an issue with your choice firmware, don't expect to walk into an Apple store and get the same treatment as someone who's running the latest firmware. But the choice should be there. If I have a problem and need a restore I shouldn't be forced into the latest version.

Sorry to all those that like to sing "nobody's forcing you" but that's exactly what Apple is doing.
You must have never worked in tech support or customer service. Apple is keeping it as simple as possible to avoid conflicts with the customer and keep costs down. Simple as that.
 
I completely agree with many posters regarding apple is not forcing people to upgrade in the aspect of getting new programs. As time has progressed there have been many great apps introduced with each iteration of firmware upgrades.
Snapture is a good example. This company released a version that required 2.1 even though it was only available via jailbreak. They recently achieved apples approval to sell their program in the apps store. Why, just as others have said new api's and changes in apples policies.
On the other hand and in an indirect way I agree apple does force upgrades. But if the user wants the latest and greatest apps suck it up and upgrade.
If the op had a 2007 truck and the 2010s had better feature it can't be expected that the manufacturer would offer the same upgrade to the older vehicle.
As much as I don't like some of the things apple is doing you can't expect apple to change ever firmware to support newer Apis and policy changes. But then again I don't like having to upgrade to newer firmware.
The good news is, people like myself, may have other viable options to choice from soon.
As much as I freaking hate 3.1.2 at least it has snapture which is one of my favorite apps.
 
No one is forcing you to do anything. Dont upgrade: dont get app. The app needs the new software to work.

+1

The application is "forcing" you to upgrade, not Apple. But that's just because certian apps require 3.1 to work.

+1

As soon as I saw the thread title I knew it would be idiotic whining. :rolleyes:

Throw your iPhone against a brick wall, you'll feel much better....

+1 Just because we want to laugh when you do it.

Did Apple make the app? No. So how is Apple making you upgrade?

Please, THINK. Because when people make statements as such....well it makes them look really stupid. Really.

+111111111
 
You must have never worked in tech support or customer service. Apple is keeping it as simple as possible to avoid conflicts with the customer and keep costs down. Simple as that.

Actually I do work in customer service.

I still don't see why we don't get a choice.

I can see where you're coming from with the avoidance of conflict but really if you think about it, any user who's tech savvy enough to load a previous version of the firmware would have the know-how to fix any non hardware issues on their own without having to bother Apple. The same goes with the jailbreaking crowd. MOST of the time they know what they're doing and if something causes their phone to crash or perform sub-par, they know to restore.
 
Actually I do work in customer service.

I still don't see why we don't get a choice.

I can see where you're coming from with the avoidance of conflict but really if you think about it, any user who's tech savvy enough to load a previous version of the firmware would have the know-how to fix any non hardware issues on their own without bother Apple. The same goes with the jailbreaking crowd. MOST of the time they know what they're doing and if something causes their phone to crash or perform sub-par, they know to restore.
Some people don't sync their iDevices for ages and may not even know that there is an update out there ... or care for that matter. Just saying.

Is Apple technically forcing you to update? Yes.

However, it should almost always be for the good of the customers experience. Sometimes there are bugs introduced but for the majority of users the experience gets better with each upgrade. I guess that's my main point.
 
Actually I do work in customer service.

I still don't see why we don't get a choice.

I can see where you're coming from with the avoidance of conflict but really if you think about it, any user who's tech savvy enough to load a previous version of the firmware would have the know-how to fix any non hardware issues on their own without having to bother Apple. The same goes with the jailbreaking crowd. MOST of the time they know what they're doing and if something causes their phone to crash or perform sub-par, they know to restore.

Many software vendors (I'm not talking about open source stuff) have only the current (major, e.g. 3.x but not 2.x) versions of their software available for download, or maybe one previous major version in the case of enterprise applications, like Oracle. I've worked in software development for many years, and we always like to get the customer on the latest release, although because I work in enterprise software, we also support ONE previous major release.

Also, in Apple's case, part of their "philosophy", at least in my opinion, is to eliminate confusion and unnecessary complication, which also would tend to support the idea of only providing the current version--most people wouldn't care if they upgraded to the current release.

Out of curiosity, why wouldn't you want the current version?
 
Exclamation points make things important.

But, really, the OP is right. Apple does force it customers to do things. I didn't want to upgrade to 3.1, until I got a photo of my parents, blindfolded, holding a current edition of the Cupertino Courier.
 
Is Apple technically forcing you to update? Yes.

no apple is not. you don't have to update your device ever if you so choose. if an app says you need to update, then don't get the app. the app's developers are making you update, if you want to call it 'making' you do anything. and if you want this app so bad, then update and get it. God forbid you lose your jailbroken abilities. you need to learn you can't always get everything your way
 
Many software vendors (I'm not talking about open source stuff) have only the current (major, e.g. 3.x but not 2.x) versions of their software available for download, or maybe one previous major version in the case of enterprise applications, like Oracle. I've worked in software development for many years, and we always like to get the customer on the latest release, although because I work in enterprise software, we also support ONE previous major release.

Also, in Apple's case, part of their "philosophy", at least in my opinion, is to eliminate confusion and unnecessary complication, which also would tend to support the idea of only providing the current version--most people wouldn't care if they upgraded to the current release.

Out of curiosity, why wouldn't you want the current version?

Just ask TheSpaz... Don't you know there's all kinds of glaring graphical errors in 3.0+??? ;)

In all seriousness, the original and 3G iPhones are a bit overworked with the newer firmware. It's pretty common knowledge that the 3.0+ firmware has been designed for use on the 3GS. Sure it still works on the 3G but the experience is not near as enjoyable.

I think the method you speak of is completely fine. It makes sense to have everybody on the latest and greatest iteration. I can certainly see how it makes technical support that much easier.

The point I'm trying to make is that if somebody who's technically inclined and would prefer to use a previous version for whatever reason, the choice isn't there. Apple no longer signs anything other than the current version so your phone simply will not work. This should not be the case.

Give us a choice. If the phone doesn't run to our standards, we upgrade. If the application incompatibility becomes too much of an issue, we upgrade. Whatever. Just give us the option to restore to something other than the current version.

no apple is not. you don't have to update your device ever if you so choose.

So what happens when your phone stops working and needs a restore?

3.1.2 or nothing. I'd call that a forced upgrade.
 
Isn't there a ban on pointless whiner postings?. This thread is so very ridiculous, I cannot believe the stupidity it attracts.
 
No one is forcing you to upgrade.

YOU choose not to upgrade the OS
YOU choose to try and buy software that does not support an old OS.

How is that Apple's fault? Apple didn't hold a gun to your head saying that you must get the latest version. They are FREE upgrades as it is so why wouldn't you want to have the latest and greatest version. People complain when they have to pay for an upgrade and they complain when it is free. There seems to be no happy medium.

I don't understand why people hate 3.1.2 so much. I download to the new OS everytime and upgrade comes out. My iPhone 3G works beter today than it did the day I got it. I have not seen the battery being depleted any faster, in fact the battery charge seems to last a little longer.

If you don't want to upgrade then don't. But at the same time quit bitching when something doesn't work right or when an app requires the latest version.
 
No one is forcing you to upgrade.

YOU choose not to upgrade the OS
YOU choose to try and buy software that does not support an old OS.

How is that Apple's fault? Apple didn't hold a gun to your head saying that you must get the latest version. They are FREE upgrades as it is so why wouldn't you want to have the latest and greatest version. People complain when they have to pay for an upgrade and they complain when it is free. There seems to be no happy medium.

I don't understand why people hate 3.1.2 so much. I download to the new OS everytime and upgrade comes out. My iPhone 3G works beter today than it did the day I got it. I have not seen the battery being depleted any faster, in fact the battery charge seems to last a little longer.

If you don't want to upgrade then don't. But at the same time quit bitching when something doesn't work right or when an app requires the latest version.

I have the ideal happy medium for the persistent whiners; sell your iPhone - no iPhone, no iPhone related issues! :D
 
1) STOP SHOUTING IN YOUR TITLE
2) Get over it, my old PPC iMac cant run Snow Leopard. Some of my desktop apps don't run in older software versions. Technology advances. Progrmas/features dot always support legacy code. If you MUST have a new app, update your iPhone system software. But Apple isn't "forcing" you to do anything.


You are the only one shouting as far as i can see. And turn off caps when telling people not to shout...Bloody Rude

To the OP you may or may not have guessed this is a forum where you can come for advice, chat, or opinion...God forbid you critisize or slag off the allmighty APPLE on here (ye i shouted that!!!) or even attempt to question apple tactics, unless you dont mind being lynched apon by the many who seem to hold all that is apple with Majestic reguard.

Some folks really need to get out more :eek: ye ye, how dare i..i get it
 
yor all wrong and right at the same time.
apple is forcing people to upgrade to 3.1 BECAUSE.... if you need to restore your device apple no longer signs the 3.0 software your required to upgrade to 3.1.

so while the OP's picture doesnt support his arguement as well as maybe proof that you can't restore to the 3.0 firmware or lower he is still right.

this of course i beleive is 3GS affected only.
 
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