Though notably late to this discussion, thought my thresh customer view was worth a few words.
Having read through most of the comments, I don't think anyone was ultimately wrong in their opinion.
If I dare to categorise those relevant to this ongoing debate it would consist of those who are an Apple fanatic
who keenly keep up to the latest Apple device (like my brother) and the remainder, like myself, who purchased
an apple product simply for its purpose as a household device in the hopes to get the most out of their product.
Being that latter category, I simply don't have the frame of mind to replace my iPad 1, it's in perfectly good working order
and quite frankly I am still too fond of it, despite the irritating fact that I can't use some key apps (amazon mp3 player for one!) .
Though a few years old it's still got many many years of life. I'm not one for wastage.
I'd like to think all Apple customers initially purchased an Apple product for the sheer fact that Apple products are a sign of quality, innovation
and their products last the test of time, in the same way that some of those german vehicle manufactures are renown and purchased
for the same reason. And I happily paid a premium for it, over some of those more cheap and cheerful competing brands which I would
have relectantly gone for if I can't afford better.
In my humble opinion (despite not being an Apple fanatic) Apple are one of leading brands in terms of quality and innovation.
Going back to the matter at hand, of the above latter category of purchasers, we unfortunately do feel a little disappointed that a brand we are
fond of have not come up with a way to allow the older iPads to keep software compatibility uptodate. Is there really no way?
Excuse my non-IT background, what about RAM slots allowing future upgrades, or controlling developers to allow their softwares to
run on older versions etc
I am sure there are plenty of reasons why this is not possible, but I will NEVER be convinced that Apple, the king of ingeniousness, innovation, quailty and forward thinking cannot come up with a solution. If the software developing world is so impatient to advance onward, surely then, all the more reason to allow hardware adaption for software compatibility for more than a few mere short years to keep such a fine hardware product, designed to last many many years (fundamentally why I am attracted to and pay premium for quality). Yes, competing brands may have a lesser timespan, but still that's not a reason.
I guess this is where some of us have been left with the "feeling" that Apple are deliberately ignorant of this for monetary reasons.
I am sure there is plenty of logical reasons why IPad is left incompatible as its younger brothers leave him behind in the dark, however, I'm also sure there
were overwhelming reasons why the IPad and IPhone were not possible to create in their own right, what partly what makes Apple so great.
And this possible feeling of Apple's ignorance on this matter is undermining the very brilliance that Apple stands for.
It is unfortunate, but the customer is always right in business, and 8 pages of dispute is undeniable.
Finally, of this latter category of purchaser, will they really force themselves into forking out another £600, or will they simply appreciate what they have, (yet bitter that update is no longer possible after what we feel is too short a timespan) until the hardware itself is falling to pieces which is not anytime soon as after all, Apple, that is why we choose your product, quality.
Funny that, create a premium product that attracts a demographic for quality and longevity, yet on the other hand undermine that iconic sign with insufficient software updating compatibility for apparent reasons. Are you sure that is a really a good idea for the long term business, undermining what Apple work so hard to stand for.