Apple's Special Device Can Update Sealed iPhones Without Unboxing
The Covid-19 pandemic put all-things-remote into focus. Even though the remote lifestyle was stolen from people once the pandemic died down, technology giants are still going big on the development of tech that works wirelessly. For instance, did you know that Apple can update iPhones to the latest software version without opening the sealed packaging?
What is Apple's wireless updating system?
As always, Apple is pushing its latest software on all iOS users. While there are security benefits to keeping your phone updated, Apple also likes to go the extra mile by slowly but surely discontinuing support for older OS versions.
Writing in his latest newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggested that Apple actually has a system that lets the company update an iPhone without ever activating the device. In fact, an iPhone could still be in the box in its pilot packaging and the company could still update it using a "pad-like device" that is available to Apple Store employees.
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This means that Apple can now sell older models running new software straight out of the box. This way, it doesn't have to urge users to update the phones themselves.
How does Apple update iPhones wirelessly?
The pad-like device works quite simply. Employees are required to place the unopened iPhone on the pad which wirelessly turns on the system, updates it, and then turns it off. Fascinating, right?
Apple prides itself on high adoption rates. For instance, a February report by MacRumors claimed that iOS 16 was installed on 72% of all iPhones and on 81% of all iPhones introduced in the preceding four years.
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Even then, iOS 17 was launched with many issues, including overheating concerns, especially on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. By employing this pad-like device, Apple could let users buy iPhones running the most recent software version. For many users, this might mean taking away from their choice. For others, it might mean saving time - it all depends on how you perceive tech companies and their practices.
Regardless, it's still fascinating. What do you think about Apple's wireless updating mechanism? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.
