So, I plugged in my iPhone into the Mac in order to recharge the battery today, and was asked to upgrade to the new 4.0 OS (which I had previously Ok’d for download).
What the hell, I’ve got a few minutes before I have to run … And Apple’s been pretty good about seemless updates, right?
Wrong.
About 20 minutes later, I get the notification that the phone cannot be used because iTunes is out of date.
WTF?
And sure enough, the phone is dead as a doornail – it can make emergency calls, and that’s it.
At the very least, iTunes could have checked the required version BEFORE attempting to update the phone and killing the device. That’s basic update 1.0.1 … check to make sure the requirements have been met BEFORE you attempt an update.
The real problem here is that my confidence is shaken … if they (Apple engineers) can make that kind of simple mistake, what else has been overlooked?
I’m moving to a Droid Incredible as soon at comes in (it was orderd on Father’s day) … not because of Apple, but because of AT&T’s crappy service – but this hairowing experience has me just as glad to be on a phone that isn’t tied to (literally) iTunes.
So, between 2 kids softball games and Jacky’s party tonight, All while doing my own product launch, I have to somehow find time to upgrade iTunes and try a reinstall …
(I’m writing this post while iTunes is doing downloading)
Point: beware of this update, and upgrade your OS and iTunes, FIRST.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I’m not interested in flame wars. I love the iPhone (though Cingular / AT&T is another matter), and the Android is REALLY great, too.
I develop for both platforms.
Simply be aware that if you don’t update iTunes before updating the iPhone with the new iOS, you may brick your phone. It is unlike Apple to make such an oversight, I’d expect a “This version of iTunes is not compatible with this version if the iOS, please upgrade before continuing” type message.
Apple is usually much better at these kinds of upgrades.
The good news is that the “brick” wasn’t permanent, upgrading iTunes and re-installing worked with no lasting negative effects.