iOS 5 with iPhone 3GS

Still clunking along with your iPhone 3Gs as I am? Here is a useful tip to get it to survive longer using iOS 5 with VoiceOver running.

January 16, 2012

By: David Law

Using an app named System Status, I discovered the CPU usage spiked and used the most resources with VoiceOver turned on. Often reporting low 50s to high 60s and low 70s of percentages with only System Status and VoiceOver running. This was using VoiceOver with “Compact Mode” disabled.
When “Compact Mode” is enabled, the averages consistently jump into the mid-60s to high 70s of percentages. Again, this was with only the System Status app running with VoiceOver.

So what does this mean?
In my own experience, when having Compact Mode in VoiceOver on, performance is noticeably reduced and the entire operating system occasionally hangs or freezes while doing fairly routine tasks. However with the Compact Mode turned off, I have had no issues of freezing and only infrequent delays in routine tasks and performance.

iOS 5 with VoiceOver and iPhone 3GS Roundup

Personal experiences, and opinions, regarding the long awaited version release.

October 17, 2011
By: David Law

Executive Summary:

An initial install of iOS 5, reinstall of personal data, bugs and hiccups along the way prove the iPhone 3GS with VoiceOver constantly running was not meant for this new firmware version.

The meat and potatoes:

Admittedly and pathetically, I came home from work eager to plug in my iPhone 3GS into my computer and install the brand new iOS 5 update. Skeptically I thought along with various rumors, conjecture, and hearsay, that iOS 5 would not be available for iPhone 3GS users and forced to upgrade to iPhone 4 or 4s. So I was kind of surprised to see my phone downloading and install the new firmware within 30 minutes. When all of my data and apps were restored, I dove in ready to explore all the new features and changes that made this release worth waiting for.
Though when using normal gestures to get around, there was a slight and noticeable delay when VoiceOver processed a page transition or even placing text into fields. Sometimes double taps were never acknowledged and millisecond delays were apparent when opening applications, initiating the app switcher, or wanting to delete/move an app. Granted the iPhone 3GS is now two generations removed from the “next big thing”, and to be honest I was half expecting such issues to arise when first installed.  Part of me wanted to believe that possible bit-rot set in with my data being grafted onto new firmware and so I set about reformatting my iPhone. When that short but permanent task was complete, the painfully slow chore of setting up all apps and replacing data ensued. All appeared well and good, until when reading an article, VoiceOver suddenly changed pitch and became very gravelly in intonation.  Yet after another reformat, I stumbled across an option within VoiceOver of “Compact Voice” which was turned off. When switched on VoiceOver resembled its former reading tone and pitch. This was the point where I became very frustrated with the absolute lack of documentation when firmware changes occur. Due to my initial glance over of the settings I missed this one option that could have saved an hour of restoration and foolery.  This is not to forget the very odd bug of VoiceOver turning compact mode off in the middle of reading a document (which created the issue).

Final thoughts and looking forward:

Certainly iOS 5 delivers a whole mountain more of accessibility options than in all previous versions. Sitting down and just playing with the ability to create custom vibration patterns for ringtones is pretty cool. However, is it worth having the knowledge there is a constant loom of sluggish response behind almost every function? This version of iOS placed onto my iPhone 3GS seems almost too generous. This release may be very fluid without the constant need of VoiceOver or assistive technology, but this being my reality; the restricted hardware is struggling to keep up with the always-on myriad of features competing for resources. It would almost be unfair to recommend avoiding this update, but the sheer volume of small Knicks tone down the intended brilliant shine of this version debut. If you want a proper iOS 5 experience, upgrade your phone to an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4s. Merely tolerating sub-par performance for the sake of having the latest firmware will prove disappointing in the long haul.