Is my first generation iPad useless now? Do I dare to update any apps?

I just walked through the above steps and was able to download kindle, and facebook. I suggest you sign into the help chat at apple and have them walk you through it 🙂

Planned obsolescence or built-in obsolescence in industrial design is a policy of planning or designing a product with a limited useful life, so it will become obsolete, that is, unfashionable or no longer functional after a certain period of time. Planned obsolescence has potential benefits for a producer because to obtain continuing use of the product the consumer is under pressure to purchase again, whether from the same manufacturer (a replacement part or a newer model), or from a competitor who might also rely on planned obsolescence.

For an industry, planned obsolescence stimulates demand by encouraging purchasers to buy sooner if they still want a functioning product. There is however the potential backlash of consumers who learn that the manufacturer invested money to make the product obsolete faster; such consumers might turn to a producer (if any exists) that offers a more durable alternative.

App Store: Downloading Older Versions of Apps

http://tinyurl.com/meqxplg

App Store: Install the latest compatible version of an app

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5919

Apple’s iOS App Store now offers ‘last compatible’ versions of apps for older devices

http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/09/17/apples-ios-app-store-now-offers-last-c ompatible-versions-of-apps-for-older-devices

 Cheers, Tom 😉