Apple's iPhone debuted on the Verizon network in February. Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Apple may be preparing to debut a feature allowing iPhones to wirelessly download operating-system updates, no computer required.
Apple plans to introduce the over-the-air update feature in the new iOS 5 software, which the company will preview at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, multiple sources told 9 to 5 Mac.
Currently, installing iPhone OS updates requires plugging the device into a computer and using iTunes to download and install the software. A wireless update feature would eliminate these steps.
Evidently, iOS is already capable of over-the-air updates. The new Apple TV can download and install software updates on the set-top box itself.
But with the iPhone, the logistics will be more complicated, because carriers must agree to allow wireless software updates. 9 to 5 Mac adds that Apple has been negotiating with Verizon to bring this feature to the Verizon iPhone, but it’s unknown whether it will be available for AT&T iPhones as well (though I don’t see why not).
9 to 5 Mac speculates that Apple will have to make software updates smaller in order for carriers to hop on board with over-the-air update ? current iOS updates are over 600MB large.
However, an easier work-around would be to require a Wi-Fi connection to download the updates, keeping these hefty downloads off cellular networks.
See Also:
- Hands-On With Verizon iPhone Hot Spot
- Verizon iPhone Shows You Can’t Win: Carriers Hold the Cards …
- Verizon iPhone’s Download Speeds Are Worse Than We Thought …
Full story at http://feeds.wired.com/~r/GearFactor/~3/t7-s0tTuvQs/
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