Q: So you cant update the 2nd Generation ipod touch anymore?

Thanks for the solutions you give me; I’ll probably do what you said to try to fix the problem. But in all honesty I don’t think apple is ever going to address this problem, I do understand that everybody is up to make mistakes; after all we are all humans.  But this one was planned that way, is just a way of making business, after all apple never obligate anybody to buy their products and if you do buy one, then you are part of the problem.

You will find that before you know it, this generation iPhone, iPod and Ipad will be obsolete in less than a two year window. First and second generation Ipad is already out of the equation. I am not mad to devices evolution, I am Ing on computer systems and I know things change.

But what I don’t understand is that a big company like apple is not addressing this problem, they can do it and even if this is a difficult and expensive thing to address, they are a big corporation with a lot of money to address something like this.

They don’t do that because that way they force people not to stay too much time just with one device, they rush one product every year; they don’t make a product to last more than a year. I simply don’t see any mistake here I see a business opportunity for them. But I want to see thing the way you do and the bottom line is that only apple know the real true, here is hope that in the future apple address this problem for future divices, and do thing like many other companies do.

You guys crack me up.  Can I offer you some fine cheese to go with your whine?

yes this is kind of a joke apple lmfao.

3 models old and its as useful as the first mp3 players to ever come out.

what a rip off, what an evil useless company.

this is almost as dispointing as the iphone 5.

APPLE YOU ******* SUCK!

I've got to agree with TheParent.  Same thing today, 2g device went into recovery mode.  Ok, plug into iTunes, what's next?  Recover from backup.  Cool, last backup an hour ago...go for it. 

Hey, where's my NY Times app?  My Micromedex?  My DropBox?  And all the rest?  No problem, they're still on the computer, hit "INSTALL".  Not so much.  Come to find every one of the updated apps requires 5.0. 

So I'm stuck with an pretty standard calendar, alarm clock, email (maybe, haven't tried THAT yet), and basic app device that doesn't do what I bought it to do. It ain't that old, and incidentally, newer than the 3 year old iMac with the bad $500 screen. 

My solution?  Use what I got.  Hey, drug books still come analog, and they don't s*&t the bed when they're updated. 

Doesn't seem to be any solution other than a new device anyway.

Your only way is if you have the version that was compatible on your computer such as in the recycle bin/trash or in a computer file backup. In that case delete the current version that is in your iTunes App library and replace it with the older version. Then sync.

Also see:

Recover Older Versions of iPhone Apps After Updating — Apple News, Tips and Reviews

Of course you're correct.  One could go into Time Machine and find the newest version of the app that is compatible with the oldest device used, and delete the newer apps.  Thank you for a considerate reply that unfortunately does not address the core issue.

This means that any newer devices used with the computer also use the older app version, and so this policy limits useability to the oldest piece of gear used synced with it. 

Wouldn't a simple programming fix as suggested in an earlier reply be more sensible?  Somehow these various apps coexisted on my device with the updated apps on the computer, until I was forced to restore the damned thing because it decided to go into recovery mode.  Or simply warn on updating apps that the new update will only work with 5.0 and not earlier versions? 

If I believed in conspiracy theory I'd say it's a money making thing.  Rather, it's just the latest in a series of unfortunate Apple faux pas that are quickly adding up to non-reliability. 

You cannot upgrade a 2nd gen any farther that iOS 4.2.1.  Newer apps will not run on that old verion of iOS.  Fellas, THE HORSE IS FREAKIN' DEAD, SO STOP BEATING IT!!!!!!

Thank you Clifton for such an eloquent reply.

Bottom line: the apps worked just fine. The device forced a restore. Now the apps won't load.

Your bottom line is concise, but that's about it.

1. If the apps were working fine, why was there a forced restore? Restores usually indicate apps aren't working fine.
2. Your device forced itself to restore...by itself? I have restored my ipod 2g exactly twice the entire time I've owned it. The first time it was working fine, not quite as snappy with 4.2.1 but fully functioning and chugging along at a reasonable speed for an old man. I just decided to start fresh before I, ahem, started messing with its private bits. The second restore was something I forced myself into by constantly fiddling with its private bits. What I'm doing here is painting a picture of a world where idevices don't get up and restore themselves and there fine working apps while you're sleeping. It's not as concise as your bottom line, but neither does it attempt to blame apple for my incompetence on the things I was installing.
3. Bottom line revised by: animus exnihilo. " I screwed my device up. It was an old man and I tried to give it wheelies. Needless to say this lead to some serious broken bones which needed resetting. I clicked the red button without serious consideration. It awoke from its coma with no memories. I yelled at the doctor for not making new old memories to replace the ones I didn't bother to hold dear, watch over, or quickly back up in itunes with a restore point. The doctor is ignoring me.

iPod Touch 1st & 2nd Gen = Abandoned.

Devices unsupported after less than 2 Years from POS!  If you got a 12month extended device support warranty it would have ran out at the same time as your devices actual OS support.  LOL that's borderline criminal/Evil.

I think its possibly against consumer LAW in a lot of countries.  The devices being still functional have had their original capability disabled by the manufacturer and it's policies.

I guess the iPod Touch and iPhone 3rd an 4th Gens will be next.  Then iPads.  Welcome to Apple Corporate. 

These aren't the acts of a socially caring or community aware company but one concerned only with profit and share price.  Business these days is not about customers its about sales.

Moral of the story: If you want a suported device for longer than 2 years, don't buy Apple products. 

I'll stand by that.

The 3G has also been abandoned. It can only go to 5.1.1

If that's your stance then don't buy any devices. You will find the same thing no matter what product you buy, technology evolves and older devices lose support as they simply cannot handle the new OS. It doesn't mean they stop working, you can continue to use them and they function in the same way as when you purchased them.

This is like Groundhog Day. The same stuff from you vazandrew. I'm starting to wornder if you're a bot.

"Technology evolves" - yes it does, as does almost everything in the man-made world since caveman times. We understand this basic concept. Please stop saying this as though this is some sort of insight.

"you can continue to use them and they function in the same way as when you purchased them." - no you can't and this is the issue goddammit. The device is dependent upon an interface with a computer and an OS.

As I say I don't even own a **** iDevice any more. I quit this discussion as of now - you've beaten me into submission with your small-minded Apple-philia. It's bad system design and integration, typical of Apple losing its way recently.

The many posts to this discussion from disillusioned Apple device owners (soon to be non-Apple device owners) speaks for itself.

Oh please, stop the drama.

Whatever, it's obvious that you don't really understand that concept. My iPod continues to work just fine.

One thing I agree on is that we should just let this die. Hopefully everyone can cease this nonsense