iOS8 : Should you upgrade?

iOS 8 was released on September 17, 2014. The launch was labeled "the biggest release ever "with a lot of buzz and fanfare.

"iOS 8 comes with big updates to apps you use every day, like Messages and Photos,"

"a whole new way to share content with your family and exciting new connections between apps and between devices." All that and more make iOS 8 the biggest iOS release ever."

iPhone users are, generally, known to hit "upgrade" without any delay, and it was the same this time. However, it is always recommended not to be an "early adopter" to software upgrades (not just from Apple for that matter). People who already upgraded to iOS8 experienced the following issues.

1. Download Size – Yes, it does take a lot of space (temporarily), but then you need a little bit of breathing space on your drives too. Be prepared with enough space before begin downloading the update. Though, you will claim back the space once update is completely installed, you do have to do some "cleaning work".

2. Download Time - It can take "some time" to download the update and install. So, be prepared and put your I phone for power charge while update is being downloaded.

"This update is the biggest release since the launch of the App Store with hundreds of new features including new messages and photos features, quick type keyboard, new health app, family sharing, ICloud drive, and more."

3. Incompatibility with apps already installed - The benefit of new features and developer hooks is ensured by testing all the apps previously approved by Apple. However, some apps face a delay in being tested on compatibility and remain in queue to be signed off. This resulted in many apps missing in the upgrade list.

• Drop box compatibility issues - Drop box is facing issue with the update on select functions like automatic backups and photo managing app carousel with difficulties in photo and video uploads.
  • Resolution: Here are updates from drop box for patches to resolve the issues.
  • Drop box - https://itunes.apple.com/app/dropbox/id327630330
  • Carousel - https://itunes.apple.com/app/carousel-by-dropbox/id825931374

• iCloud being phased out - The new iCloud drive will store all your files. But as of now, it has issues on upgrade and is not properly understood. Best thing is to wait for a while and decline "upgrade to iCloud drive" if you are having an unbearable IOS 8 upgrade urge.

4. Your device may become sluggish- Officially, iOS 8 is compatible with models dating back to iPhone 4s & iPad 2. However, it's been found that the devices that old are particularly slow with iOS8, due to it's increased demand for processing power.

5. "Jail breakers" behold- If you are the one who doesn't care about approved apps and system tweaks and prefers exploration within your device than count on product warranty, an upgrade will kill your "Jailbreak," and you will have to wait a bit before you are liberated again.

6. Work phone - Your IT department prefers stability: If you are using an iPhone as work phone, your IT department may not suggest immediate upgrade, and if you do it on your own, you may be barred from your corporate network. Your IT department, unlike you, prefers stable upgrades and understands new releases and the concern over compatibility of internally developed mobile device management (MDM) solutions. And so, a signoff to upgrade may still be under "approvals" from your CTO or IT department.

7. Downgrading or falling back on old OS is not easy - After you install iOS 8, it's difficult to go back to your old version. Downgrading from iOS versions is tricky and not for faint hearted as, many a times, it requires third party unapproved software, which is not supported by Apple.

So now, how do you prepare for iOS 8 upgrade if you want to? Here is a quick step-by-step instruction guide.

1. Make sure if your device is iOS 8 compatible - Compatible with iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPad 2, 3rd and 4th-generation iPads, iPad Air, 5th generation iPod Touch, iPad Mini, and iPad Mini with retina display.

2. Check storage space and free up if needed - Budget a minimum 4 GB to download the upgrade. Have a "breathing space" of at least 5 GB.

3. Check your device is running latest version of IOS 7- Go to settings>General>Software updates. The latest version of iOS 7 is iOS 7.1.2

Check if that's the version on your iPhone (it sounds weird but you can't upgrade directly if running an older version) before you hit download for iOS 8.

4. Update all your apps in use - It's the best time to update your apps as they might have already been updated with the latest releases and compatibility issues ironed out.

5. Remove apps not being used or useless - Because of the habits of most app downloaders, a lot of people have apps that they might not remember downloading in the first place…good time to delete them. It will not only save you space but also save you from unexpected errors.

6. Back up your Apple Device - It's a wise thing to back up your device even though crash during upgrade is rare, but it does happen, and you shall not regret just in case it happens.

iOS 8 despite having glitches is an attempt to improve user experience, improve integration with Mac and iCloud and increase interaction between devices and apps. This version is also enabled with frameworks to support home automation, health and fitness, in-car entertainment, and navigation. This is going to open up a lot of opportunities for the developers to bring in new functionalities to the platform. Conclusion: Just wait a month or two before you upgrade to iOS8.