Analytics Firm Says ‘iPad 2 and iOS 4.3 Are Coming’

Localytics, a company whose real-time app analytics platform aims to help developers build more successful and profitable apps, has issued a report that advises iOS developers to consider not dropping support for old iOS versions, even with iOS 4.3 knocking on the door.

An Apple event believed to focus on the release of the iPad 2, and likely other iOS updates, is scheduled to go live at 10:00 a.m PST today, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, in San Francisco, California.

The iPad 2 announcement has been expected since January, when Apple also rolled out the first iOS 4.3 betas to developers.

Now, a research firm called Localytics says that “Apple’s impending announcement has left the tech community wondering what's in store for the iPad and iOS,” in a report titled "iPad 2 and iOS 4.3 are Coming; 20% of iPads Remain Out of Date".

It believes that app developers may also be inclined to drop support for earlier versions of iOS, but cautions that this may not be necessary. In fact, Localytics advises them to wait, as almost 20% of iPad users still use earlier versions of the operating system.

“With a significant portion of iPads still using earlier versions of iOS, developers should not anticipate dropping support for them anytime soon,” reads the company’s report.

“The rate at which iOS 4.2 has grown has decreased significantly, indicating it may take a while for early iOS versions to disappear completely,” goes Localytics’ analysis.

What Localytics doesn’t make clear is why it believes developers would be tempted to drop iOS 4.2 support in their apps, since iOS 4.3 betas have shown little to no differences at their core.

Also, the analytics firm seems convinced that iOS 4.3 will be released today. It may well not be.

Apple itself is not eager to have a horde of upset iPad owners filling up forums with complaints regarding their compatibility with new applications, while developers still have a lot of cash to squeeze out of the iTunes App Store as it stands right now.

Still, Localytics does admit that “It remains to be seen whether the possible release of iPad 2’s accelerates the market share of new iOS versions.”