One last iOS 4.2 thought before it lands today: with iPad users having had to wait the entire life of their device for iOS 4 functionality to arrive even as iPhone users have had most of the 4.2 features for months, what about the pecking order today as far as how 4.2 is pushed out on Apple’s servers? This is, after all, the first time there’s been a simultaneous release of the same numbered version of an iOS update for both iPad and iPhone users. Until now it’s been all 3.1 iPhone and 3.2 for iPad, and then 4.0 for iPhone and 3.2 for iPad, then later it was 4.1 for iPhone and 3.2 for iPad… you get the idea. With iOS 4.2 expected to put a massive strain on Apple’s servers today, it would make sense for Apple to push out 4.2 for iPhone and 4.2 for iPad at times that are at least slightly staggered. But Apple had better be careful about how it approaches that, for fear of insulting a core chunk of its user base.
Statistically speaking, most iPad and iPhone users won’t even know iOS 4.2 exists until sometime later this week when their iTunes automatically checks for it, discovers it, and alerts them as to its existence. But among those who are the most clued-in, the repeated clicking of the update button in iTunes has already commenced. And for clued-in iPad users, who’ve already developed a complex about having had to wait so long for iOS 4 to arrive for them in any version, seeing iPhone users celebrate across the internet at the arrival of 4.2 for iPhone even as they’re left being informed that 3.2.2 is still their current version, such a storyline could cause a near revolt based on bruised feelings.
If Apple is smart about things, it’ll go ahead and put iOS 4.2 on the server for iPhone and iPad at the same time, and if the whole thing slows down because of it then so be it. Or Apple could do something truly novel and let iPad users have first crack at it, even if only by a few minutes, as a thank-you for their long running patience.
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