iosipadsoftware-update
I've got an iPad running iOS version 4.x and I want to upgrade to iOS 5 but I'm currently in the middle east. iPads in the middle east don't have FaceTime installed on them. I'm a little worried that if download the latest version of iOS the apple update site would notice my IP address and give me a version of iOS without FaceTime.
Is the version of iOS downloaded for an update based on location/ip address or device serial number?
It won't be possible to updated to iOS 4.3 unless you have a software image for iOS 4.3 handy. This is because Apple wants to force you to install the latest version which is iOS 5.0. The test app you have been sent should still run on iOS 5.0 though.
Since iTunes isn't being nice about letting you upgrade, what you can do is go download the iOS 5.0 software image from Apple and then you can force iTunes to update using the image. Here's what you do.
Download iOS 5.0 for your iPad from the following link (please be aware that this link is not a direct download from Apple. Apple doesn't offer the ability to download iOS outside of iTunes which is why I've provided this link)
Plug your iPad into iTunes. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard and click the "Check For Update" button in iTunes. An Open File dialog box will open. Select the software image you downloaded in step #1.
iTunes should upgrade your iPad.
The short version:
The details also matter for some features, per http://www.apple.com/ios/whats-new/#compatible:
There's also the device specific features fine print:
Turn-by-turn navigation is available only on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and iPad 2 or later with cellular data capability. Flyover is available only on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad 2 or later, and iPod touch (5th generation).
Siri is available on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad (3rd generation), and iPod touch (5th generation) and requires Internet access.
FaceTime video calling requires a FaceTime-enabled device for the caller and recipient and a Wi-Fi connection. FaceTime over a cellular network requires iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, or iPad (3rd generation) with cellular data capability.
Offline Reading List is available on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later.
Made for iPhone hearing aids require iPhone 4S or iPhone 5.
Panorama is available on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and iPod touch (5th generation).
Best Answer
AFAIK, hardware wise they are all the same (well outside of storage and 3G) it is serial number that determines some features. The serial number has a country code in it and the update process can determine which applications need to be removed. If, for example the SN country code is in the EU, the volume has to be limited and the radio has to be adjusted for differences in Wifi channels.