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Level 1

0 points

Why is my iPad 1 being made obsolete

I keep getting messages on my iPad 1 that I need to update certain apps if I want to continue using them.

Then when I go to update them I'm told I need to update my Ios to version 6 or higher! Not possible with the iPad 1 which is only allowed to run Ios 5 at best. I understand that it lacks processor power to run the new Ios, but certain apps still allow me to run old versions of their apps, compatible with old versions of the Ios. However bigger brand apps such as 4OD and (soon to join) Linkedin will not allow access to older versions of their apps.

Now the current solution it seems is to fork out £430 (for the Ipad 2 which is probably destined for a similar fate) or £500 for the new iPad air, just so I can continue to use these free apps. A large part of the Ipad app community. This seems completely excessive when it's not me making the decision that my iPads getting on.

Will this also happen to apps that I have paid for? Why isn't Apple looking into an upgrade program to keep people using the iPad? Right now the Nexus is looking a lot more tempting with it's accessible price tag. I don't want to fork out another £500 for a tablet that wont last past the five year mark, purely because of the developers forcing us to upgrade.

The battery life is still perfect on my iPad and it still runs the apps I’m allowed to have. It's in perfect working order. But I fear that in less that a years time it will only be useful as a door wedge. Will Apple look after their customers? The ones who invested in the first model of this revolutionary tablet?

Don’t mean to sound whiny, but It’s the first time I’ve been forced to upgrade because of software. Usually it’s hardware, but this hardware is still fine and I know it. But the developers are telling us otherwise.

Mail-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 4, 2014 2:50 AM

Best reply

Skydiver119

Level 9

53,405 points

Posted on Feb 4, 2014 4:36 AM

One big thing stopping the upgrade process that you describe, the iPad isn't made modular. It's not like a laptop where you can open up the case and pop in new ram or a new battery, it's largely one big chip inside attached to a big battery. It's hard to upgrade something that's manufactureed as a single piece.

I have an ipad 2 and will likely be in the same boat as you in a few months to next year (my money is on my device not being eligible for iOS8)

Software moves faster than hardware, which is just no fun I know.

View in context

25 replies

Feb 4, 2014 10:59 AM in response to stedman1

With the amount of time I had to look at it, it had enough apps that I liked and I suppose it could have many more. The npbest point was it was about a third of the price of an iPad2...

Feb 4, 2014 11:05 AM in response to jack.k.n.

I agree... if we're to have our apparatus obsoleted ever few years, we have to look at the cost and use for those years they serve us. What is a pity, is that my original iPad looks and works like new... to throw it into a junkheap seems criminal!

Feb 4, 2014 11:12 AM in response to Phil0124

I understand and agree with all of this... I'm a 62 y/o Telecommunications Engineer and have seen technologies move at lightspeed but what I'm trying to get from Apple, to keep everyone faithful, is to have a trade-in program and a discount for each time we, as dedicated users, a way of continueing with the product we prefer.

Feb 4, 2014 11:18 AM in response to Bulldunker

Apple does offer a Recyling program in conjunction with parnets like PowerOn for devices.

You can submit your device for a Store Gift Card, and use that to purchase a new device.

Though you'll probably get more money if you sell the device directly.

http://www.apple.com/recycling/

Feb 4, 2014 11:36 AM in response to Phil0124

Yeah, right... I wouldn't send my iPad to them without knowing what they'll give to me first... but thanx.

SolverWiz

Level 1

120 points

Feb 4, 2014 12:03 PM in response to Phil0124

From Phil0124

"However Apple has nothing to do with what iOS version the App developers choose to support or require."

Not true. Developers can NOT make any new apps or updates compatible with iOS 4.2.1 or earlier for their App Store customers. That restriction was was made by Apple.

Feb 4, 2014 1:34 PM in response to SolverWiz

SolverWiz wrote:

... Developers can NOT make any new apps or updates compatible with iOS 4.2.1 or earlier for their App Store customers. That restriction was was made by Apple.

No, new apps must be compatible with iOS 7. There is no restriciton on how far back they can go in terms backwards compatability. Many have simply chosen not to support a version of iOS that is two major releases back.

Feb 4, 2014 1:40 PM in response to Bulldunker

Bulldunker wrote:

Yeah, right... I wouldn't send my iPad to them without knowing what they'll give to me first... but thanx.

You can get a quote right there on the page, so you would know what they'll give you for it before sending it in.

SolverWiz wrote:

Not true. Developers can NOT make any new apps or updates compatible with iOS 4.2.1 or earlier for their App Store customers. That restriction was was made by Apple.

As James points out, there is no limit on backward compatibility. There is a requirement to be optimized for iOS 7. That is adopt the look and feel for iOS 7. But that does not prevent an App from running on prior versions.

As good evidence, the Netflix, and CBS News Apps, are iOS 7 optimized, but run fine on iOS 5.5 on my first gen iPad.

Feb 4, 2014 2:02 PM in response to jack.k.n.

Most of us don't expect the hardware to be up to many of the new possibilities, but, activly keeping the designers from making what upgrades are possible for the old machines seems a bit cheap. One only hopes there is some reason other than trying to force new purchaces behind that.

Feb 4, 2014 2:20 PM in response to tntoofore

tntoofore wrote:

Most of us don't expect the hardware to be up to many of the new possibilities, but, activly keeping the designers from making what upgrades are possible for the old machines seems a bit cheap. One only hopes there is some reason other than trying to force new purchaces behind that.

No one is keeping developers from maintaining compatibility with older versions. The developers are choosing to do that. In many cases, this is purely a matter of cost and efficiency.

Why is my iPad 1 being made obsolete