Forced iPhone Updates
I do not always have time to apply the new updates when iTunes first detects there is an update. On two cases, when I opted not to apply the update my phone IMMEDIATELY lost certain features.
The latest patch, which I have yet to apply, has rendered my phone unable to answer calls. Yes, when my Wife calls, when co-workers call, when I even call my own phone from other lines to test it... the phone rings once, stops ringing, and cannot be answered. This NEVER happened until IMMEDIATELY after I chose not to apply the update.
The last update rendered my phone undiscoverable by iTunes (IMMEDIATELY) and I therefore cannot accept this is a random instability. Rather, it is a deliberate attempt to force Users to update their phones when it is convenient for apple and not for Users.
When iTunes learns you are not running the last iPhone version, you either must 1) update IMMEDIATELY or 2) accept that some component of your phone will no longer work until it is updated.
Some people wonder, "Why wouldn't somebody update their phone? Those update enhance usability?" Answer - not everybody can take the time to update the phone immediately. And to penalize Users until they do apply the update by rendering major functionality inoperable is severe.
Apple reminds me of Microsoft.
iPhone