does it help much to build for older os?

foany · 03-17-2010, 10:17 AM

Does it help to build for an older os? I understand it is possible to enable/disable particular areas of functionality in your app dynamically depending on the native os - so for example you'd remove an email button for prior 3.x ... Is this kind of thing worth doing now? Are there many people who don't have a 3.x device?

And if I did want to build under an earlier os, are the downloads for older os builds still available? I only can build under 3.x at the moment, thats my only option in my dropdown in xcode.. presumably apple want to discourage building for older os to encourage device updating - is the 2.x 'stuff' available to incorporate into my dev environment so I can build against that os?

thanks!

Tambourin · 03-17-2010, 10:26 AM

I think it is worth it. Every sale gets you higher in the rankings.

you can build for 2.2.1 if you choose the device. For the simulator 2.2.1 is not supported anymore.

Rudy · 03-17-2010, 11:03 AM

I unfortunately had to drop 2.2.1 support for my next update

for some reason the new stuff I added doesn't play nice with 2.2.1

dave1619 · 03-17-2010, 02:34 PM

We build most of our apps for 3.0 and higher. Very few people have OS's lower than 3.0.

foany · 03-17-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tambourin

you can build for 2.2.1 if you choose the device. For the simulator 2.2.1 is not supported anymore.

I don't see an option below 3.1 if I choose the device for some reason

dre · 03-17-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foany

I don't see an option below 3.1 if I choose the device for some reason

You need to download and install older SDK

ChrisL · 03-17-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dre

You need to download and install older SDK

Actually, you can just change the "Base SDK" project setting to an older version, and then you can target previous OS versions with the latest SDK. To my knowledge there's no need to download old versions.

Rapid · 03-17-2010, 03:57 PM

I am using XCode 3.1.4 and am able to build for 2.2.1 just fine.

Just go to Edit Project Settings and change the Base SDK to 2.2.1

It then lets me choose Simulator or Device for every version of iPhone OS. This is good because I run a jailbroken 3.0 on my device (and always build for 2.2.1)

dre · 03-17-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Actually, you can just change the "Base SDK" project setting to an older version, and then you can target previous OS versions with the latest SDK. To my knowledge there's no need to download old versions.

I thought the latest SDK doesn't have 2.2.1 anymore. Can anybody confirm?

Rudy · 03-17-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dre

I thought the latest SDK doesn't have 2.2.1 anymore. Can anybody confirm?

The beta for 3.2 doesn't have it but previous builds did have it

ChrisL · 03-17-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dre

I thought the latest SDK doesn't have 2.2.1 anymore. Can anybody confirm?

The 3.1.3 SDK supports 2.2.1, but only on device (no simulator). I should have read the thread more carefully, didn't realize the OP was specifically asking about targeting 2.2.1. In this case, it's probably worth downloading an older SDK to get the simulator.

ChrisL · 03-17-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy

The beta for 3.2 doesn't have it but previous builds did have it

Ah, didn't realize that 3.2 drops 2.2.1 support altogether. Thanks for this info.

dre · 03-17-2010, 05:52 PM

Is there any reason for anybody with 2.2.1 NOT to upgrade to 3+?

Rudy · 03-17-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dre

Is there any reason for anybody with 2.2.1 NOT to upgrade to 3+?

$10

dre · 03-17-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy

$10

Seriously?... did I miss something? I upgraded lots of iPads/iPhones to 3.0. At what stage I was suppose to pay $10?

TunaNugget · 03-17-2010, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dre

Seriously?... did I miss something? I upgraded lots of iPads/iPhones to 3.0. At what stage I was suppose to pay $10?

iPod Touch is $4.95 to 3.1 (http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/software-update.html); my analytics are showing 25% are running 2.2.1.

You've updated an iPad?

EDIT: WTF, direct link doesn't work, have to go through the support page.

dre · 03-17-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TunaNugget

....

You've updated an iPad?
...

iPod, LOL

- I just kept reading about them in the news. Still a bad name. They should have called "iMagic Sheet" or something..

well.. i updated iPods. never knew there was any fee of any sort. I thought in contrary Apple would be interested to have people updated their iStuff.

EDIT: ow, wait a minute... could that be for those who don't have iPhone?

EDIT: Link works: http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/software-update.html

Rudy · 03-17-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dre

iPod, LOL

- I just kept reading about them in the news. Still a bad name. They should have called "iMagic Sheet" or something..

well.. i updated iPods. never knew there was any fee of any sort. I thought in contrary Apple would be interested to have people updated their iStuff.

EDIT: ow, wait a minute... could that be for those who don't have iPhone?

EDIT: Link works: Apple - iPod touch - Get great new features with the 3.1 software.

I was off by $5

Julie · 03-18-2010, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tambourin

I think it is worth it. Every sale gets you higher in the rankings.

you can build for 2.2.1 if you choose the device. For the simulator 2.2.1 is not supported anymore.

I don't build for 2.2.1 anymore, I think almost every body by this time already have 3.0+

panzeriti · 03-18-2010, 11:53 AM

I am sure most people out there are running 3.0+, but I am also sure there are still some people out there with older OS's. If you want to reach more people then definitely go with the lowest OS version possible, but I would not do so at the cost of functionality.

I built my Penny Saved app against 3.0, but that is because I wanted to take advantage of 3.0 specific functionality.

bw748 · 03-18-2010, 03:56 PM

I've found this chart helpful:

iPhoneOS percentages - Last 30 days

The number of users using a pre-3.0 OS has definitely decreased but still seems significant (~10% from the chart).

LemonMeringue · 03-18-2010, 04:25 PM

Tangled 2 is looking good.

Rudy · 03-18-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonMeringue

Tangled 2 is looking good.

Thanks, I'll try to get around posting some screenshots tonight.... I must say it has come a LONG LONG way since I first released the original almost a year ago.

I think the best decision I made was to hire a graphic designer! Well worth the money I spent!

Julie · 03-18-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bw748

I've found this chart helpful:

iPhoneOS percentages - Last 30 days

The number of users using a pre-3.0 OS has definitely decreased but still seems significant (~10% from the chart).

hmmm... interesting. I though only 1% has pre-3.0 OS. I read it somewhere.....