[2][3][4] These embedded systems include mobile phones, tablets, set-top boxes, cars and telecommunications equipment.
OTA updates for cars and internet of things devices can also be called firmware over-the-air (FOTA).
[5][6] Various components may be updated OTA, including the device's operating system, applications, configuration settings, or parameters like encryption keys.
Before OTA updates, embedded devices could only be flashed through direct physical access (with a JTAG) or wired connections (usually through USB or a serial port).
OTA updates are designed to be as small as possible in order to minimize energy consumption, network usage, and storage space.
[9] iOS updates are distributed exclusively by Apple, resulting in wide availability and relatively high adoption rates.
In the past, Volkswagen had to recall 11 million vehicles to fix an issue with its cars' emissions control software, and other manufacturers have instituted recalls due to software bugs affecting the brakes, or the airbags, requiring all affected customers to travel to dealership to receive updates.
OTA updates also allow manufacturers to deploy potential new features and bug fixes more quickly, making their cars more competitive in the market, and resulting in an increased pace of product improvements for consumers.
This system enables firmware upgrades without the need of physical access, saving time and money if the nodes must be re-programmed.
[23] OTA is similar to firmware distribution methods used by other mass-produced consumer electronics, such as cable modems, which use TFTP as a way to remotely receive new programming, thus reducing the amount of time spent by both the owner and the user of the device on maintenance.
Over-the-air provisioning (OTAP) is also available in wireless environments (though it is disabled by default for security reasons).
Over-the-air provisioning (OTAP) is a form of OTA update by which cellular network operators can remotely provision a mobile phone (termed a client or mobile station in industry parlance) and update the cellular network settings stored on its SIM card.
In OMA CP, phones are provisioned by "invisible" SMS messages sent by the cellular network, which contain the requisite settings.