Apple Quietly Raises 3G Download Cap to 20MB

[Paul Daniel Ash]

The download limit for iPhone applications installed via the phone's 3G connection has been increased to 20MB, according to numerous user reports. Up to this point, any time a user tried to download over 10MB, they received a message directing them to connect to a Wi-Fi network or use iTunes on their computer. The increased cap appears to be for apps as well as media downloaded from the iTunes Store. Coming just ahead of the launch of the iPad, the relaxed limit will be of benefit to developers who are creating large-format apps. As 3G-capable iPads come on the market starting in April, designers whose apps are larger than 10 MB in size will be able to offer new iPad owners the immediate gratification of direct downloads.

The higher limit comes as part of an overall pattern recently of Apple and AT&T loosening restrictions on 3G-enabled apps. Last month VoIP applications that use the 3G connection for calls were finally permitted on the App Store, and AT&T just recently gave its OK to the Slingbox video-streaming app.

Following on the heels of AT&T's announcement that it's investing significantly in boosting its network infrastructure, this may suggest greater confidence on Apple's part that its carrier partner is ready to support the iPad's data requirements. Recently, officials at the US Federal Communications Commission worried publicly that the iPad would add so much load to the network that it would "choke off" mobile broadband access.

The greater limit should encourage developers to take advantage of the new device's capabilities. As Pocket Gamer’s Spanner Spencer remarked:

Double the available app size for remote users should therefore make for some doubly impressive products. In all likelyhood this is in preparation for the inherently larger size of iPad games and apps.

However, many apps are already significantly larger than 20MB, so the need for WiFi or desktop downloads has and will continue. As Darrell Etherington at theAppleBlog speculates, though, between 10 and 20MB may be a "sweet spot" for the " visually rich e-book and e-magazine content" that Steve Jobs and Apple have been touting for the iPad.

image via CNET

[RonHC]

Finally, its so annoying have that small of a limit

[RocketshipVirus]

AT&T needs to pull up their damn big boy panties and start accepting that iPhones rule their network so they should start improving it for us!

[risingkazuya05]

That's why I'm using 3G Unrestrictor. Thank goodness for jailbreaking :P

[AndresM626]

t-mobile doesnt do this hahahahahahha

[vampr]

Yet another hit to an already crumbling netork

[tudtran]

I'm using my3G app from Cydia.

[StealthBravo]

It's nice the limit was raised but I don't think it's high enough still.

[pacmac]

Should of done this from start...I'm using 3G Inrst..I tried renting a movie over iTunes on my iPhone over 3G it works but I stopped it AT&T might say something..it was going to take 1 hour+ to DL a 1GB movie..

[h4mza]

Good to hear this

[lolcats1]

apple is full of ****. did you know that android phones can update their OS without plugging into a computer?

whenever a new update comes out, you just get a popup, wait a few min, and you're done!

none of this itunes nonsense.

[Fallguy]

apple is full of ****. did you know that android phones can update their OS without plugging into a computer?

whenever a new update comes out, you just get a popup, wait a few min, and you're done!

none of this itunes nonsense.

I thought this would be a great idea for Apple also , but after seeing the problems from a friends G1 , I would rather have more control over the updates and restores going through itunes . IMO .

[norfskate]

Geezo, I've been using the 3G Unrestrictor for so long i'd completely forgot about that!
haha, good stuff tho :-)

[whereswaldo]

It was also 10mb on wifi

[hollow0]

t-mobile doesnt do this hahahahahahha

PFFFT tmobile lol don't even mention this you don't even have 3G and it'll take you several minutes to even download a 10mb file. Have fun with that.

[vantheman169]

t-mobile doesnt do this hahahahahahha

I am not hating on T-mobile but good luck downloading 10 MB or hell even 20 MB on EDGE network. Thats why i switched to AT&T for the 3G capabilities!

[danfarmer]

old news lol. This has been happening to me for months now!

[TranceField]

yay! about time

[pyromcr]

20 megs is way better than 10, but i think that it should go up to 25. that would be a good compromise. 20 still seems small, 25 would be good enough...

[rhekt]

dont have limits issue. 3G unrestricter. nice to see Apple is loosening up though.