Are Apple updates too frequent?

gail from maine wrote:

Security fixes are not something that Apple can wait around and accumulate in order to make the updates less frequent. Almost all iOS updates include security fixes. If you are not worried about security, then just don't update until you feel like it.

GB

+1

No reason to compromise devices, just to have less frequent updates. I want an update when something needs to be fixed. Not 2 or 3 months from then, when the vulnerability is out there and has had time to be exploited.

4mercustomer wrote:

Agreed. Updates are too frequent.

You can sit on the update as long as you want. But Apple has a responsibility to offer the update promptly, and not wait to accumulate fixes before releasing one. With companies like Verizon, Yahoo, Equifax getting hacked, you really want Apple to not fix potential holes as soon as they find them? That just seems ridiculously dumb.

As a "4mercustomer", I'm sure the update schedule for most android devices will be more to your liking. That being maybe once or twice in 2 or 3 years.

Does that have anything to do with the fact that there are several hundred OPEN security vulnerabilities in most Android phones, or that a number of Google Play store apps that contain spyware have been downloaded millions of times?

IdrisSeabright wrote:

Phil0124 wrote:

As a "4mercustomer", I'm sure the update schedule for most android devices will be more to your liking. That being maybe once or twice in 2 or 3 years.

If you get them at all.

Indeed. Many times android devices will get no updates at all.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

And, of course, there's the fact that the carriers generally have control over the Android updates. So, even if there is a security update, well, who knows when AT&T or Verizon will approve it?

And also the device manufacturers. Many times you need to wait for them to actually get there hands on the update from Google, and tailor it for the devices, and requirements.

You'll be luck to get them within months or even a year after Google has released it.

Interesting reading:

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3173068/android/android-upgrade-report-car d-nougat.html?page=2

Spoilers: Samsung gets an F regarding timely updates.

My experience was the Motorola did the best. At least with Verizon, they put out the phones with the least amount of extra junk on them. The original Pixel came out just after I stopped working for them so I haven't really looked at it or the Pixel 2 but, hopefully, as they are branded "Google", they get updates a little more often.

Well, Motorola it appears, has been going down hill:

computerworld.com wrote:

Under Lenovo's wing, Motorola went from being at the head of the class to earning an ever-slipping range of embarrassing scores. It got a 65% "D" grade in 2015, a 52% "F" grade in 2016, and now -- a mere three years after Lenovo took the company's reins from Google -- it's down to a shameful 49% failing score.

That's too bad. The Droid line had amazing battery life and very solid hardware. They started trying to do all that flash with accessories that attached to the back of the phone. Some of them were pretty cool (projector) but ridiculously expensive. I don't think it's really caught on.

1. Generally speaking, Apple issues updates when they need to fix something. Would you rather they left a vulnerability or issue un-attended? Personally I prefer they issue the update as soon as they fix whatever issue the found that needed fixing.

2. App updates are not related to the iOS update. App developers choose when they update their Apps. sometimes an iOS update brings new features App developers want to take advantage of. so they update their Apps to do this. Major iOS updates tend to only happen once a year. Everything else are just minor fixes. Whether the coincide with the apps being updated too, is not something Apple has any control over. As its the App developers that choose when to update their Apps. most often when they find something that needs to get fixed. Or they've added something to the app.

Usually I'll get 2 or 3 app updates every week even if no Apple update has been issued. Its very seldom I get more than 5 at once. And I can just set them to update whenever they appear.

It will take around 3 or 5 minutes to complete over Wifi, so it really does not affect productivity in my view.

Frankly, I personally wish Apple would provide iOS updates more frequently - like weekly. There are always performance improvements and reliability improvements and security improvements percolating through the system. I'd like to get these as soon as possible.

I believe I just amplified Phil0124's point number (1) above. I agree with the rest of his response.

beachbiker2 wrote:

Then I have to back up to iCloud and my computer because I don't want a repeat of the disastrous update that messed up my contacts

You should be backing your phone up a whole lot more often than when Apple releases updates. If you use iCloud, your phone should back up when it's connected to power, WiFi and the screen is locked. In other words, if you connect it to your Wifi, and plug it in before you go to bed, it should be back up every night. You should also back up before you you do an iOS update.

beachbiker2 wrote:

Then I have to back up to iCloud and my computer because I don't want a repeat of the disastrous update that messed up my contacts or WiFi connectivity.

You should be backing up your phone EVERY DAY. As It's designed to do that automatically after a one time setup, it should take no time out of your busy schedule. See: iTunes: About iOS backups

While we're at it, you should be backing up your computer(s) frequently also. Every Mac has the capability of backing up automatically EVERY HOUR. While Windows does not have that feature built in, there are 3rd party programs that will do the same thing.

williworm72 wrote:

The frequency with which you prefer app updates seems to depend on whether you are a nerd, or someone who actually has a life.

Which category best describes you?

williworm72 wrote:

(I'm obviously not a nerd btw - but nothing against nerds).

Not everyone can be. 😉

Well, as you were the one who invented the categories .....

That is extremely useful advice. Thank you.

As far as this thread goes you did invent them, they were not here before your post.