It has been three weeks since Apple launched iOS 8, the latest version of its mobile operating system. But iOS 8 adoption is currently at 47 percent only (according to iOS share numbers as tabulated by App Store visits). That is about equal to the adoption share of its predecessor, the iOS 7.
Even more troubling is the fact that over the course of two weeks, iOS 8 has only registered a 1 percent change in adoption status. That is certainly head-scratching, considering the millions of shipments of new iPhones during that two-week period, which should boost iOS 8's percentages, even if all current iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C users choose not to update to the latest iOS version. By comparison, iOS 7 last year hit an adoption share of more than 60 percent. What gives?
Well, the fact that iOS 8 does not support the iPhone 4 may have something to do with it. iPhone 4 remains supported by iOS 7 until now and the device is still selling in some countries this year.
Also, iOS 8 is considerably a much bigger system compared to iOS 7. Needless to say, it requires a bigger storage space in which to download, decompress, and install. Those who own 16-gigabyte iPhones that run on iOS 8 may find it difficult to find that storage space, or simply, they just may not be knowledgeable enough to go update by way of iTunes.
iOS 7 is far from perfect. It had its share of lingering bugs, most notably the frequent crashing of the Home screen windowing system or SpringBoard. But one can say that iOS 8's troubles are a bit worse. There is the HealthKit delay for instance. And no doubt iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users may not soon forget the iOS 8 software update fiasco that left them unable to make any calls or use the TouchID feature of their devices. Although Apple was quick enough to address the issues and do something about them, the damage has already been done, not to mention the extensive media coverage that blew up.
These recent events may have discouraged some users from upgrading to iOS 7. Also, it can not be discounted that many people may have simply decided to downgrade from iOS 8 to iOS 7.
Of course, this is not the end for iOS 8. Users may have just been taking a little bit of caution in not trying to rush into an iOS 8 update for now. Likewise for Apple, they just might need to exercise some patience too, make sure they got every bug taken care of, and just try to get their act together for now.
