Latest iPhone update leaves you open to security threats

Apple has announced its newest software update for iPhones and iPads and it’s not looking good for anyone still using older versions of the popular devices. 

While many software updates have introduced subtle design changes over time, iOS 11 will completely overhaul the way you use your device and will render the popular iPhone 5 and 5C devices obsolete.

The most significant change is that some older applications (or apps) will no longer be supported and they may stop working entirely. 

This isn’t a surprise; developers have had nearly two years to update their apps to comply with the newest standards. Apple announced in 2014 that 64-bit support would be a requirement for any app created after February 1, and the requirements have been stepped up bit by bit since then.

While your old iPhone 5 or 5C will still work, you won’t be able to take advantage of periodic software updates or security fixes from Apple because your phone will no longer be able to support them.

If you have one of the older iPhone models, you’ll either have to live with the bugs and glitches, or update to a newer version of the iPhone that benefits from the safety and software updates.

The iOS 11 update isn’t just about display or speed; many design aspects of the iPhone and iPad will be overhauled. Here are some of the biggest changes:

• Apps can be viewed side by side without having to close or toggle between them.
• With the new Drag and Drop function, iPad users can “move text, photos and files from one app to another”.
• iPhone photos will have “new professional-quality filters” with “the same quality as before, at half the file size”.
• Siri can help you learn to say something in Chinese, French, Italian, German or Spanish with a simple translation.
• iPhones will be able to detect when you’re driving and switch on Do Not Disturb mode to avoid distractions.
• You’ll consume news with a curated feed of “top stories that are more relevant to you”, based on suggestions from Siri.
• The QuickType keyboard will have letters, symbols, punctuation marks and numbers on the same keyboard to eliminate toggling between keyboards.

With the update expected to launch around late September, you have a few months to farewell your faithful iPhone 5 or 5C and upgrade to the latest iPhone with up-to-date security and software.

What do you think of the new Apple software? Will you need to upgrade your device?