iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes

#1

Post by cleverjake » Tue, Sep 17, 2013, 3:32 PM UTC

iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes
9to5mac.com

Re: iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes

#2

Post by dshep » Tue, Sep 17, 2013, 4:10 PM UTC

Good move Apple!

Re: iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes

#3

Post by chucknelson » Tue, Sep 17, 2013, 4:11 PM UTC

A good thing for consumers, but I wonder how developers feel about this. If they fix some bug that may have been causing big problems on a server-side component, won't they now have to worry about these older versions being used?

Re: iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes

#4

Post by div » Tue, Sep 17, 2013, 4:12 PM UTC

This is great for customers.

I wonder if and how having that popup appear will affect people upgrading to the latest and greatest.

Re: iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes

#5

Post by div » Tue, Sep 17, 2013, 4:13 PM UTC

chucknelson wrote: post #3

A good thing for consumers, but I wonder how developers feel about this. If they fix some bug that may have been causing big problems on a server-side component, won't they now have to worry about these older versions being used?

That's something you've always had to worry about though. You can't force a user to upgrade, so your best bet is to handle those issues server-side.

Re: iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes

#6

Post by jaysonelliot » Tue, Sep 17, 2013, 4:24 PM UTC

It's a wonderful half-measure, but also serves to highlight a problem with cloud-based installs that I'm not optimistic will ever go away.

When software was distributed physically, the consumer always had the freedom to use any version of an application they liked. Want to run a lightweight version of Word because you don't need all the latest features, or maybe you just hate the new UI? No problem. Did you like some video game better before they "improved" it? Just get the old disk out and play it.

Some people will argue that software developers should be able to require that their customers always have the latest versions of their product. I personally believe that decision should be in the hands of the user.

I'd love to see Apple allow side-loading for consumers, at the very least. The best solution, in my opinion, would be to also allow users to access some kind of "advanced" menu that would let them choose whichever older version of an app they choose.

Re: iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes

#7

Post by donretag » Tue, Sep 17, 2013, 4:25 PM UTC

I wonder if this applies to the Mac App Store, but I doubt it.

I want to purchase Logic for an older Macbook, but the OS doesn't support Logic X. Apple won't sell a compatible version and there is no shrink-wrapped version.

Re: iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes

#8

Post by hcarvalhoalves » Tue, Sep 17, 2013, 4:26 PM UTC

This is basically Apple themselves showing they don't trust everybody will like iOS7.

Re: iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes

#9

Post by AlisdairSH » Tue, Sep 17, 2013, 4:27 PM UTC

div wrote: post #4

This is great for customers. I wonder if and how having that popup appear will affect people upgrading to the latest and greatest.

Presumably, you'd only see the pop-up if you're running a non-current version of iOS (and need the previous version of the app)?

Re: iOS App Store now allows legacy downloads to support older OSes

#10

Post by arn » Tue, Sep 17, 2013, 4:29 PM UTC

jaysonelliot wrote: post #6

It's a wonderful half-measure, but also serves to highlight a problem with cloud-based installs that I'm not optimistic will ever go away. When software was distributed physically, the consumer always had the freedom to use any version of an application they liked. Want to run a lightweight version of Word because you don't need all the latest features, or maybe you just hate the new UI? No problem. Did you like some…

This is actually an advantage of cloud distribution. What if you want to run an older version of Word but haven't bought it yet? It can be a pain to find an old copy to buy. Whereas Apple has all the old versions on their servers and can deliver the exact one that will run on your system.