Why is there no iOS 6 update for the iPad 1?

lol, I hope y'all had a good time venting. You show how well you've been programmed by Apple's marketing by A. how you've been early adopters or spent more than you normally would on other technology products, and B. by thinking that not having the latest Apple release is a terrible debacle. That's exactly what they want you to think.

Let me remind you, your 1st gen iPad didn't explode the day iOS6 came out. It still does what it did just beforehand.

I own an iPad 1, maintain 25 Macs at work, used to work for an Apple reseller, and was a certified ACST. Over the years I've learned to see their products with all their benefits and flaws, and not to care about Apple's products more than they care about us. Competition is great, and by all means, if you're unhappy with one product then move to another because that's the only thing that matters in a free economy.

PS No one at Apple reads those forums so this is purely for you venting. If you want Apple to hear you, A. write to them, B. go to the media or C. stop buying their products.

PS2 With Tim Cook in the helms, Apple listens (and responds) to customers more than ever before (well at least since the 1980's). I'm shocked that you actually got a call back from Cook's office.

I too am disappointed I cannot update my iPad 1 to iOS6. But I can see why. With iOS5 the iPad 1 already feels a little slow. For the sake of moving forward with technology and innovation, one must abandon the old and embrace the new. I'm trying to be optimistic here and see this as a reason to get the iPad mini....

i love the way the 1st Gen iPad is "justified" to be left behind because it's already classed as "older hardware models" taking into consideration its literally only about 2 years old? because Apple release so much so fast with such minor changes between products now 6 Months seems like it's a long time when it's not at all.... i bought an iPhone 5, i have no doubt in only 12 Months when we're on the iPhone 6 (following an iPhone 5s or something stupid like that i have no doubt) this will be cassed aside as just an "older hardware model" when only 12 Months previous it was advertised as the best thing in the universe to have.

i have no issue with abandoning the old and embrassing the new, im all for it, but when Apple want way above top dollar for their products, they should be made to not be cassed aside so quickly, i know all about "Planned Obsolescence" but for products with a cost like these an obsolete lifespan of just 12 - 24months is taking the complete p**s in anyones book!

They should either be:

A) released slower - which nobody wants

B) released at half the prices they are at the moment - which Apple doesnt want

or

C) built prepared to last at least 5 years.... which even windows can do so im sure Apple can manage that.

Ec48,

I'm not sure I agree with your logic. We are talking about an OS upgrade here which in every other case (Linux, Windows, HP-UX, AIX.....) are designed to be modular in nature and use those modules needed to support the hardware. Yes my Ipad seems a little slower but my main concern is that there are still issues. Apps Store and other apps crash from time to time which may require updates. The issue here is not that we expect the latest and greatest OS updates (that require the new hardware) but we do expect updates to resolve other issues.

After all...15,000,000 of these devices where sold. If IBM or HP sold 15M of the same product, their product life-cycle would be supporting them for years to come.

As for the Ipad mini on your shopping list...read Benjamin Franklin's quote regarding doing the same thing again and again...insanity...enough said...

Dz

Hello Dz,

You are right. There are still issues with iOS5. Are you saying there will be no more updates to iOS5? I don't mind not going to 6, but like you I do expect apple to continue fixing 5.

Ec

This is really ridiculous and unfair. We are the early adopters and this is what we get eventually. We know that iPad 1 does not have camera or siri and I don't even care about those, but I should be able to use my other apps "paint/drawing apps, news reading apps, etc.

Shame on you, Apple!

So, what does this mean? Should I just trash my old iPad that I paid about $850?

<Edited by Host>

I don't see why they can't have apps that are specifically for the first ipad? Then they can have separate singular updates just for the original ipad. There are apps specifically for just iphone or just ipad...so why not just ipad one apps?

I'm 56 years old and bought the first generation iPad. I've had it about two years. I've been happy with it, but am very frustrated that this expensive little toy cannot be updated. Shame on Apple for making thousands upon thousands of iPads ending up somewhere in a landfill. Very disappointed.

I am very upset with Apple as well for the same reason that everyone expresses. In fact I am no longer buying from them anymore unless they make a serious change to their product because as of right now I am not impress. For now, I am waiting the the Surface to get a little better and I shall be moving to them. I hope Apple knows that they lost a customer who is 19 years old. I could've been buying from them for more decades to come.

Shame on you Apple!

Android absolutely allows OS updates.

It is confusing, the various manufacturers and carriers often take a really really long time in doing OS updates, and sometimes not at all. There are probably even many devices which have never been issued ANY Android OS updates ever.

However, the Nexus line from Google does not have this issue, and recieves the latest Android OS versions quite quickly. (Though they do the same as Apple eventually, I do not believe the Nexus One from early 2009 has 4.2 "Jellybean) Having a Nexus phone or tablet is a great way to be sure you will be up to date. Also their unlocked phone pricing combined with prepaid cell service is a great way to avoid contracts and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

After a while apple doesn't update some products

I have just read all these posts about the IOS6 update, and I too am very dissapointed! Like others I have discovered some of my apps require IOS6 and therefore are now useless! I can totally understand that the first generation iPad isn't as powerful as the newer models, but from complaints I've heard from other apple users it's the most reliable! Even the iPad mini is receiving bad press! I won't be changing mine any time soon as I still love it! But it would be nice of apple to consider those of us that aren't in any hurry to change from a reliable model! A little customer service wouldn't go amiss here!

I always wanted the latest of whatever they had to offer, but after this cutting loose of the original iPad...and all the glitches that have come with their OS updates (my sister lost every photo on her phone with the last big update)...I lost all the notes on my notepad.....I am not going to be as quick to buy. Although I love Apple....I am leery of them for the first time....I don't think they value their customers like they used to.

Most times when people drop $500-$800 on a device they expect more than two years of life from it. I find the life of apple products to be lacking. I decided against an iPad because of the longevity or lack thereof from previous apple products. Apple, Apple, Apple!!!

I too have this 1st generation iPad for a Christmas gift....outdated two months after I got it.....and no support.......my first and last Apple ever.....unbelievab!!! Shame on you Apple....Steve would be rolling over in his grave :-((