iOS 8 causes apps to crash more than iOS 7

Apple has stopped providing an update to iOS 8 following complaints by some users who said that the update interferes with their ability to make phone calls.

Apple's latest software update for the iPhone and iPad tablet is causing popular applications made by Facebook, Dropbox and others to crash more frequently, according to a report.

Apple's iOS 8 operating system causes apps to crash about 3.3 per cent of the time, or 67 per cent more than last year's version, according to a report by Crittercism, an analytics firm that works with companies such as EBay, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and Yahoo.

Customers have taken to Apple's App Store to complain. One user wrote that Facebook's app - the way most of the social network's members access its service - "constantly freezes and crashes." Dropbox, a file-storage service, also has put out updates to its app to fix problems it was having with iOS 8.

Crittercism said older iPhones experience the most issues. Andrew Levy, the firm's chief executive officer, said Apple's latest software includes more than 4,000 new functions and changes, and developers are struggling to adapt.

New coding language also is probably causing trouble for programmers as they "get up to speed," Levy said.

"It just goes to show how hard it is to test everything before it's sent out into the wild," Levy said. As with previous software releases, Apple will make fixes to its iOS 8 software in the weeks and months ahead, Levy said.

Trudy Muller, a spokeswoman for Apple, declined to comment.

Apple's iOS software powers the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Since the latest version became available to download last week, 46 per cent of devices connecting to the company's App Store are running the latest version, according to Apple's website.

The software crashes are among several hiccups Apple has experienced with iOS 8 since its release. The Cupertino, California-based company also delayed the rollout of its fitness-tracking software, HealthKit, after it discovered flaws. Customers also have complained about how much memory is needed to download iOS 8, requiring people to delete photos, videos and apps from their phones to make room for the new system.

Still, the software snafus haven't been enough to discourage iPhone buyers. Apple on Monday said it sold a record of more than 10 million of its two new iPhones, which come with iOS 8 built in, in the smartphones' debut weekend. The company said it could have sold more if not for supply limitations.

- Bloomberg