iOS 5 May Bring Over-The-Air Updates To iPhone

Apple iPhones, which have to this point had to connect to a computer to have their software updated, are rumored to be receiving over-the-air updates with iOS 5, according to 9to5 Mac.

Google's Android phones are already able to download new updates without having to link to a computer, but Apple iPhones must still hook up to iTunes in order for new updates to be obtained.

Apple is reportedly in negotiations with Verizon to enable over-the-air updates in new phones this fall, when when iOS 5 is said to be debuting. It was not confirmed whether Apple was also trying to work out similar plans with AT&T or international carriers.

9to5Mac notes of the possible feature:

The iOS-based AppleTV has been able to update itself without iTunes intervention so the hooks are obviously in iOS. Two things to note:

Updates are now over 600MB. Apple would have to make these smaller to get the carriers to agree to push these things as they are. We believe that Apple will make the updates much smaller by using incremental patches rather than full OS downloads
iTunes provides the backup to the iOS device so a failed update would need some sort of backup. We think there will be a Cloud-based backup system.

Comments

[MIKEinNYC]

09:42 PM on 05/06/2011

My last two phones were able to update themselves without a computer.

Is this yet another fiendish plot by money-hungry Apple to sell you more stuff? In this case, computers.

Apple is far from being the warm 'n fuzzy company that a lot of people like to think it is. In fact, ruthless is more like it.

[CaptainObvvious]

11:09 AM on 05/07/2011

Fiendish plot? This is going to come by way of a free software update.

[lauram]

08:52 PM on 05/06/2011

Great - now they can auto update anytime they like (vs. me being in control of when/if the upgrade happens) and send my data along w/the upgrade. Super.

[imonlyhereforthelaughs]

02:37 PM on 05/06/2011

Not sure I comprehend the concerns that you would need a backup. Is that because Apple doesn't actually upgrade, but entirely replaces the OS with a patched/nerwer version whenever is does an "update"? I also don't understand why, if Apple products are so stable and free from annoying non-Apple issues like crashing that you would even need to worry about that. I update my Droid OTA, and have since day one, and I have never had a need to restore from back-up. Nor have I every had a need to plug into a PC for anything. At all.

[dianeduffy2011]

01:47 AM on 05/06/2011

A backup is to restore a phone in case of a crash. What's the point of a backup that is saved in the phone itself? It has to be done on a backup disk, or maybe a cloud server....http://bit.ly/iSIvn9

[hdohighdesertobserver]

11:54 PM on 05/05/2011

After two years of ownership, my wife bought an Apple computer so she could keep her phone running. Interesting.

[CaptainObvvious]

04:26 PM on 05/07/2011

Why would she need an apple computer to keep the phone running.

[lilylee86]

10:35 PM on 05/05/2011

I prefer to Google's Android phones and it is quite convenient for updating.
joyfax

[CaptainObvvious]

04:27 PM on 05/07/2011

The most convenient part of android's updating is how your phone rarely gets the new OS version so it saves you the hassle of updating.

[onlythetruthcounts]

08:53 PM on 05/05/2011

That's great and all but does anyone know of a way to completely block the most annoying software ever written: iAd? I'm not sure I want an iPhone anymore after being nagged constantly with ads on my ipod touch.

[Amishguy]

06:56 PM on 05/05/2011

Wait it doesn't do this already? It's been out how long? The androids have had this since birth.

I get that their stuff is pretty and all but, why do you people love apple so much again???

[CaptainObvvious]

05:22 PM on 05/07/2011

It's a tradeoff.

We have to plug in but we actually get updates to our OS and don't have to wait months to never to get it like android.

Im willing to bet yours doesn't have the latest OS version

[EricBishop]

06:19 PM on 05/05/2011

When is the update coming for the AT&T iPhones that will allow them to make and receive calls over AT&T's cell network?

[jayburd]

06:15 PM on 05/05/2011

Wait, what about WiFi? Or is that just "understood" that WiFi would work for that...?

[EricBishop]

06:18 PM on 05/05/2011

No, it's not understood. Your phone doesn't have the same signature over some random WiFi hotspot as it does when it's connected to a tower. Of course, it's certainly possible that they could configure the phone to update through WiFi.

[BUTCHER111]

05:32 PM on 05/05/2011

I don’t own an iphone and thought it already did that.

[Oh Em Gee]

05:31 PM on 05/05/2011

For those of you who have an iphone:
I have a&tt now and can't decide wether to stay or switch.

Do you prefer Verizon or a&tt?

[Solstice1221]

06:38 PM on 05/05/2011

I'm still hoping enough people will leave AT&T for Verizon so that my reception will improve with fewer people on the network.

[Parshwa Shah]

04:27 PM on 05/05/2011

i don't understand how old technology becomes "new technology" when Apple releases it. I have been getting OTA updates for years. The iPhone is way behind.

www.irepairworks.com - iPhone, iPod, iPad Repair

[ogaraj]

03:32 PM on 05/06/2011

ssshhh... don't tell them that

[Sizzmo]

03:52 PM on 05/05/2011

Welcome to 2006 Apple!

[tsixonesix]

02:16 PM on 05/05/2011

It's not going to work for me, I always get "No Service" on my phone.