iOS 11 - the big release

From past releases we know that Apple don't always get it right first time and we end up having to install the fixes anyway. An article on www.theregister.co.uk goes into more detail as to why it might be better to not install the latest update.

“This version will insist on running only 64-bit apps and will kill support for 32-bit apps. That means several things: for one, if you have anything earlier than an iPhone 5S in your pocket, you will not get the update at all (and your phone is going to slowly die); but most importantly it means a fair number of old but useful apps that are stuck in 32-bit mode are going to stop working.

Apple being Apple, it has decided it doesn't care very much if your apps crap out. After all, it's the developers' fault for not loving Apple and its fans enough to update their code – and programmers have had plenty of warning.”

If you want to check which of your apps are going to be affected you can check by going to:

Settings > General > About > Applications

A list of the apps that will be affected should appear.

Here are The Registers reasons for and against updating:

Here are four other reasons why you should hold off:

• The iOS servers always get swamped the first few days and phones take forever to update. You should remind yourself that it is only an operating system update. It really is. It is not that exciting.
• Apple always screws up somewhere with its very first update. Sometimes it borks your device, sometimes it just kills your battery life. But there will be a problem. In addition, in two weeks, iOS 11.1 will come out, fixing most of the issues.
• There is nothing in iOS 11 that is worth getting that excited about. Sure, you can customize your control panel a little bit, but don't imagine Android-style customization. Yes, there is finally a files app which may introduce a little sanity – but it's been 10 years, you can live without it for a bit longer.
• Notifications might actually get worse. Expect to see loads of them flooding your home screen. For some reason, Apple still hasn't found a way to group and simplify this setup. And of course, Apple decides how you want it – customization is possible but very time-consuming.

All that said, here are some reasons why you may want to upgrade this week:

• iOS 11 should bring with it some augmented reality apps that will be fun to try out.
• You don't use some of the apps that won't work with iOS 11 and so it will actually enable you to do a small clean-up of your system.
• If you have an iPad, iOS 11 will allow you to multitask – which could be really useful in some circumstances.
• You are attending a variety of social events in the next few weeks and iOS 11 will provide you with a few minutes of small talk.
• You can force your phone to require a PIN to unlock rather than a fingerprint which is useful, in the US, if a cop demands you unlock your device. You can't be forced to surrender a PIN but you can be forced to unlock by finger.
• Apple fixed a bunch of security vulnerabilities in the operating system within the iOS 11 upgrade. Safari for macOS was also updated to shut down some exploitable bugs.