Apple Leaks iOS 5 Automatic Download of Updates

An iDevice owner has reportedly discovered a new update page in iTunes that reveals a new feature for iOS devices - automatic download of application updates.

Upon making his discovery, the user quickly took a screenshot and posted it on a Mac centric forum.

Deactivated since the slip up, the iTunes page in question said (emphasis ours):

“This Apple ID has a free update available for one or more previously downloaded apps. To check for updates for another Apple ID, sign in with that Apple ID. To get all of your free updates, click Download All Free Updates.

You can also get them individually by clicking Get Update under the desired app. After you’ve finished downloading, sync your device to this computer to begin using your updated apps.

Or, if your device has Automatic Download enabled for apps, your updates will download to your device without having to sync.”

In other words, users will be able to keep their apps up to date without any specific intervention whatsoever.

The process is also going to occur invisibly, so users will most likely be able to keep using their iPhone or iPad for whatever purpose they want to as the updating takes place in the background.

According to a number of reports emerged early last month, Apple was negotiating with carriers to deliver over-the-air (OTA) software updates for iPhone owners starting with iOS 5.

The first update will reportedly be an incremental release of iOS 5, meaning it’s not going to be  the very first iOS 5.0 update, but iOS 5.1.

Verizon is said to be Apple’s partner in discussing the possibility of wirelessly distributing iOS software updates since early this year.

However, OTA application updating may not be part of the two companies negotiations, therefore this function could end up being tied to WiFi only.