I have only had my iPad for a couple of years. Apple is no longer upgrading it to the latest operating system. At what point can I expect my apps not to be compatible? If I were to trade up to a newer iPad can I expect the same treatment in a couple years? What should I do?
iPad, iOS 6
It's hard to keep up with the latest and greatest in the world of electronics unless you have unlimited funds.
It's hard to keep up with the latest and greatest in the world of electronics unless you have unlimited funds.
Depends on what the apps' developers decide. Apple will no longer update the default apps.
If you are asking will prior hardware models become obsolete and unsupported by Apple, then the answer is "of course."
Very appropriate cartoon. Except that the last frame should have been the customer leaving Apple and getting a competitive product from Samsung or Microsoft. It's ashame that Apple doesn't value its customers and their loyalty more (as demonstrated by their support policies).
Don't you understand they all do the same thing? Even Microsoft has given up on supporting XP. Samsung doesn't provide infinite support for its products.
Where do you get these silly ideas? Your automobile's warranty support stops after a period of time. You can't go back after a year and expect they will replace your car with a new one. The TV you buy today has been obsoleted by its manufacturer in less than two years.
Obviously you are less loyal to Apple then you believe they are to you. Your attitude is if I don't get whatever I want I'll go elsewhere and get the same thing. Except you don't even seem to understand you'll get the same treatment everywhere.
Out of curiosity what can't you do on your iPad? Since Apple doesn't make the apps you've downloaded, why should they support them? Complain to their developers, not to Apple. Apple owes you nothing on third-party apps and never has. Time to wake up to reality.
Apple seems to have a serious flaw in their customer focus and support policy.
The lack of support of iOS upgrades on the original iPad seems to represent a serious customer focus issue on the part of Apple. Apple seems to have the support lifetime of their products wrong. Most vendors would continue to support operating system upgrades to their older systems based on the desire for customer retention and lifetime value, not on whether they are continuing to retail a particular item or not. The lifetime value of a long-term loyal iPad customer to Apple must be greatly reduced by moves such as this. Trading off customer loyalty in pursuit of short-term quarterly profits when new competitors are aggressively making market entry doesn't sound like a good idea.
Items, as they evolve can be replaced but some things can't, such as family and maybe friends. It's somewhat sad but in the end a business is a business and their common denominator is profit and more profit.
As a business person, it is difficult for me to listen to the Apple apologist telling us that lack of support of iOS on the original iPad doesn't represent a serious customer focus issue on the part of Apple. The apologists continue to state that we simple "don't get it." Perhaps, they all have made some absurd Faustian bargain with Apple, and that is blinding them as consumers. As loyal customers we deserve more respect.
You seem to have a very distorted and incorrect understanding of operating system support. You also seem to have little understanding of dynamic supply and demand marketplaces. Any company that is in an aggressive market (your term) and hopes to compete successfully will do exactly the same things as their competitors or more. Why would Apple take the path that loses business and profits? They wouldn't and they don't except in your mind.
A long-term loyal iPad customer does not exist. Long-term means you can't afford to buy the latest model. Loyal means you aren't complaining because Apple no longer provides service for obsolete products. Which camp are you in? The mere fact that you've made the complaints you have marks you as a clearly disloyal customer.
If you're married I hope your wife isn't aware of your attitudes. If she is then she should be identifying a good lawyer.
OK, business person. How much of your business' profits do you continue to feed into customer support that no longer provides a return on investment?
I'm not an apologist. I'm a business expert who understands this stuff much better than you do. If it makes you happy to believe I'm an idiot fan of Apple who apologizes for it to people who complain like you, that's fine. But I'm here to tell you that you know much less about business than you think you do.
What do you deserve respect for? Threatening to buy competing products. When have you written that letter to your automobile's manufacturer or the TV set producer? I've seen your loyalty elsewhere. It's the kind of loyalty that disappears as soon as you don't get what you throw a tantrum for.
I'd love to know just what sort of business person you really are. Do you own the business? Do you sit on the BoD? Do you know all about the financial information or evaluate product demand in light of your competitors?
Kappy wrote:
You seem to have a very distorted and incorrect understanding of operating system support. You also seem to have little understanding of dynamic supply and demand marketplaces. Any company that is in an aggressive market (your term) and hopes to compete successfully will do exactly the same things as their competitors or more. Why would Apple take the path that loses business and profits? They wouldn't and they don't except in your mind.
A long-term loyal iPad customer does not exist. Long-term means you can't afford to buy the latest model. Loyal means you aren't complaining because Apple no longer provides service for obsolete products. Which camp are you in? The mere fact that you've made the complaints you have marks you as a clearly disloyal customer.
If you're married I hope your wife isn't aware of your attitudes. If she is then she should be identifying a good lawyer.
Your analogy is incorect. You can be a Beatle's fan and not like or own all their songs, correct? You can be a loyal iPhone customer and own/ed most of their models. You CAN be a loyal customer of the iPad line. See my point? You have no proof he can't afford or did not own the latest and baddest product. A good car CAN last you years and years. Does that mean spare parts aren't producted anymore or the mechanic will refuse to fix your 2010 car?
No, because your statement is out of context. The debate is not whether you are a loyal fan of iPads but only like one model. The debate is over service provided by Apple and whether you will buy competing products or stick with Apple. So, no, your point is well taken but not germane in context.
+1
I bought one of the first iPads when it came out. I carry it everywhere, everyday. I am/was a very loyal iPad customer, and wouldn't have bothered to ask the question if I did not care.
I see you trying to discredit what I have commented on, I see you defending Apple rather than giving answers that are helpful, and I see you talking about camps as a politician would. I have to conclude that your goal with your comments is not to be helpful, but instead just to get me to "tow the line." I don't find that thoughtful or helpful. The personal comment at the end was particularily discrediting.
Actually, I have been 12 years in management consulting, and have been on the senior management teams of four NASDAQ tech companies, and probably understand the likely impact on Apple's long-term value creation and growth better than you may believe.
Thank you Andrei, you have been very understanding and helpful.🙂
I don't think Andrei_O's comment is "out of context." I too believe that as long as a piece of equipment, be it a car, truck, computer or IPad, in this case, is able to function as designed it should be supported with software upgrades. And, I don't care if "other" companies don't do it, there are companies that have an ethic that follows this line of thinking and acting. I had a PC for years that functioned well and upgrades in Windows, while not reaching the OS's full potential, continued to work for years past its projected lifetime. If an IPad continues to funtion, Apple should continue to support the hardware.
What can I expect as far as support for my original iPad?
