Beware of the "App Trap"

Preparing for Cloudy Days: Beware of the "App Trap" 

Corporate IT has long known that they need testing on various updates to ensure compatibility with the pile of software on each user's machine. The same is coming true in the smartphone & tablet era. For example, Apple's iPhone 5 involves several big changes:
a) A wider 4" screen (1136 vs 960),
b) An operating system upgrade (iOS v5.11 to iOS v6.01),
c) Several "plumbing changes", such as Apple Maps for Google Maps.

Plumbing aside, its the first two which cause concern for "early adopters". I moved from an iPhone4 iOSv5.11 to iPhone5 iOSv6.0, and like many, I have 50-60 apps from a variety of vendors. The built-in Apple apps such as Mail, Contacts, Calendar, all converted on Day 1. But updates continue to flow in for iOS v6.0 or 4" display compatibility. Some of my apps "broke" when I converted. For example, while i-nigma's QR Code scanner still scans and interprets QR-Contact Info codes, it can no longer add them to iOS v6's Contacts app.

Also apparently broken is Buffalo's WebAccess i app for securely remotely accessing data stored on my Buffalo Linkstation Pro. This can happen even if you don't change devices, but just upgrade an older iPhone or iPad to iOS v6.0. App updates WILL come. But here's a case where pioneers (like me) get "arrows in their backs" ! Waiting 30-60 days for all the apps to be updated by their developers can be a good thing. On the other hand, there are also cases where developers upgraded apps from an older iOS v4.2 to iOS v5.0 -- and the apps were no longer compatible with the older iOS ! While newer Apple devices have no problem with the newer iOS, there are always some older devices "left behind", and some of whose apps may no longer work.

Android device owners complain of being orphaned by manufacturers who still release Android v2.3 handsets and tablets, despite the fact that Android v4.1 is out, and v4.2 is in the wings. As a result, most Android apps are written for the "least common denominator" of Android v2.3 on a smart-phone sized screen. Android owners -- heed the experience of iOS users above. Be careful what you wish for -- you may GET IT !