Apple's iOS 8 may have run into troubled waters post its September launch, but latest data reveals that the operating system has a 68 percent adoption rate.
According to the latest figures posted on Apple's Developer Support page, the adoption rate of iOS 8 has steadily grown to 68 percent for compatible devices. By comparison, 29 percent Apple devices continue to use iOS 7 (a decrease from 35 percent) and a paltry 4 percent (earlier 5 percent) are on older iOS versions.
The figures were released on Tuesday, Jan. 6, and are reflective of the operating system's growth from 64 percent (as of Dec. 22, 2014) to the current figure which is upto Jan. 5, 2015. Moreover, the adoption rate for iOS 8 as on Nov. 12, 2014 stood at 56 percent, which is a 4 percent increase from Oct. 29. 2014. The adoption rate as of Oct. 5, 2014, was 47 percent by comparison.
iOS 8 was released on Sept. 17 along with the latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. However, the operating system was besieged with several technical glitches, which compelled Apple to push out iOS 8.0.1 a week later to fix the bugs. However, this version too was plagued with problems as users complained of inability to connect with cellular networks, or use the Touch ID sensor.
Apple then rolled out iOS 8.0.2 which again encountered problems and users complained that files in the iCloud were getting deleted on their own post the update.
Distribution of the OS saw an upswing when in October 2014, Apple pushed out iOS 8.1, which brought the Apple Pay feature users' way.
The recent increase in adoption numbers suggest that the sale of the new iDevices are pushing the growth. The holiday season saw several people receiving iPads and iPhones as presents. A strong likelihood also exists that these individuals upgraded their devices to iOS 8, which have given a push to the January numbers.
The fact that Apple rolled out iOS 8.1.2 in December could have also played a pivotal role in the adoption uptick.
With Apple reportedly working on iOS 8.2, which is said to include support for the impending Apple Watch, the ecosystem is poised to have a higher adoption rate in the coming months.
