Apple Offering 'Last Compatible Version' of iOS Apps for Older Hardware

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

It should not let you download an update that is incompatible with your OS version.

Well, google play does that, it's annoying as hell when it says you can't download an app, and the app is actually perfectly compatible.

Also allows exclusivity crap...

[afv011]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Well, google play does that, it's annoying as hell when it says you can't download an app, and the app is actually perfectly compatible.

It's not the google play store, it is the developer. When you upload a file via the developer portal, you have the option to restrict who can downloaded the file (either geographical restrictions, minimum OS version, tablet or phone, required features like GPS, camera and so on). Likewise, you have the option to offer multiple binaries targeting different OS versions, but this is usually a double edge sword - on one side it's good because you have a broader audience, but at the same time versions running on older OS versions are not updated or not as often, so they tend to be less feature rich and buggier.

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by afv011

It's not the google play store, it is the developer. When you upload a file via the developer portal, you have the option to restrict who can downloaded the file (either geographical restrictions, minimum OS version, tablet or phone, required features like GPS, camera and so on). Likewise, you have the option to offer multiple binaries targeting different OS versions, but this is usually a double edge sword - on one side it's good because you have a broader audience, but at the same time versions running on older OS versions are not updated or not as often, so they tend to be less feature rich and buggier.

Yes, now the dev can keep the "old" version on google play, that's good.
But this should be used only when you know for SURE that the app will not work.

I've seen that a few time, app not compatible. You download the apk, install, works all fine

And when you can't install, you can't post message the the dev to warn him...

[kevinp]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Thanks. That makes me hope it'll work for me eventually. Hmmm... perhaps I'll try from Windows in Bootcamp mode and see what happens.

I did it directly from the app store on my iPod - not through Windows or iTunes.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by kevinp

I did it directly from the app store on my iPod - not through Windows or iTunes.

Now that's an interesting idea. I'll give that a go.

Yes! Now loading onto my iPod.

It's loaded - version 3.1.1. Hooray!