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Your argument in defence of Apple's strategy is an odd line to take. The point you've missed is that when Apple stops releasing OS updates, all the built-in ap

Your argument in defence of Apple's strategy is an odd line to take. The point you've missed is that when Apple stops releasing OS updates, all the built-in apps and programs also suffer the same fate, such as Safari web browser. Some websites are starting to use ES6 javascript in some circumstances. Certain ES6 methods are not supported in browsers older than 2017. Valve's Steam website is one example, the preview videos and slideshow on each game page do not load because the highlight player now uses ES6 javascript. Newer iPads see the player, "older" iPads do not. There is absolutely no reason why this needs to be the case. Browser updates and patches for some built-in programs should be offered even when the OS is no longer updated.

scarface74 9y ago
The point you've missed is that when Apple stops releasing OS updates, all the built-in apps and programs also suffer the same fate, such as Safari web browser. You are saying Apple's programs --- which programs besides Safari need to be updated to support "modern" standards? The mail client on my first gen iPad can still connect to any mail server - including Exchange servers. The same for the calendar app. You can still download the last compatible version of apps from the App Store and download any music, movie, or book from the iTunes, iBook store. The Podcast app that was a separate download for iOS 5, still syncs playlists as well (badly) as the newest version of iOS. The iOS Maps app that originally used Google Map data still works. The Maps app still works with my first gen iPod Touch and has more updated satellite data than my brand new iPad using Apple Maps. Apple even hacked in a way to support two factor authentication in older iOS devices that wouldn't show a separate field for the authentication code - you enter your password+authentication code. All of their productivity apps like Pages, Numbers, and Keynotes still work, you can still save documents and open them with the newest version on the newest Macs via iCloud. You can still Airplay from a 1st gen iPad to a brand new Apple TV. As far as Safari, if it crashes on complicated sites now and is unusable with iPads with low memory now, don't you think it would be more crash prone trying to render more complicated sites? I'm using the worse case scenario - having the first generation iPad with the least memory (256Mb of RAM). I've used my 2017 iPad next to my 2010 iPad. The only real difference in Apple's built in apps as far as usability is that Web pages render a lot faster, Safari doesn't crash and you can keep multiple tabs open without constant reloading -- all due to hardware improvements -- not "patching" the browser.
- exodust 9y ago
  scarface, you're defending the indefensible. Stop trying to justify Apple's scheduled technology obsolescence. I'm not talking iPad 1st gen, which was always slow. Soon after release it was clear that iPad first gen was underpowered. I'm talking about iPad 3rd gen, which has 1 GB RAM, a retina display, and does not crash when loading web pages. It has enough RAM to load any web page. "Hardware improvements" are not needed on this device. Software improvements ARE needed including updating the browser to cater for things like ES6 which does NOT require better hardware, only a minor updated browser software. You don't think Apple should update the software, and instead I should... go to the store and buy a new iPad to get a slightly better web browser? You are part of the "throw away" culture problem, you are not helping. Let's take a look at Apple's glossy "helping the planet" page... https://www.apple.com/environment/ https://www.apple.com/environment/ "To ask less of the planet we ask more of ourselves." Nothing about extending product life, it's all fluffy feel-good futuristic gazing pre-packaged catch phrases. Well I'm asking more of Apple too, like software updates for an iPad3. Asking more of ourselves is not enough, we also need to act on those questions, not just copy and paste the slogans on a "helping the planet" page.

scarface74 9y ago

The point you've missed is that when Apple stops releasing OS updates, all the built-in apps and programs also suffer the same fate, such as Safari web browser. You are saying Apple's programs --- which programs besides Safari need to be updated to support "modern" standards? The mail client on my first gen iPad can still connect to any mail server - including Exchange servers. The same for the calendar app. You can still download the last compatible version of apps from the App Store and download any music, movie, or book from the iTunes, iBook store. The Podcast app that was a separate download for iOS 5, still syncs playlists as well (badly) as the newest version of iOS. The iOS Maps app that originally used Google Map data still works. The Maps app still works with my first gen iPod Touch and has more updated satellite data than my brand new iPad using Apple Maps. Apple even hacked in a way to support two factor authentication in older iOS devices that wouldn't show a separate field for the authentication code - you enter your password+authentication code. All of their productivity apps like Pages, Numbers, and Keynotes still work, you can still save documents and open them with the newest version on the newest Macs via iCloud. You can still Airplay from a 1st gen iPad to a brand new Apple TV. As far as Safari, if it crashes on complicated sites now and is unusable with iPads with low memory now, don't you think it would be more crash prone trying to render more complicated sites? I'm using the worse case scenario - having the first generation iPad with the least memory (256Mb of RAM). I've used my 2017 iPad next to my 2010 iPad. The only real difference in Apple's built in apps as far as usability is that Web pages render a lot faster, Safari doesn't crash and you can keep multiple tabs open without constant reloading -- all due to hardware improvements -- not "patching" the browser.

exodust 9y ago
scarface, you're defending the indefensible. Stop trying to justify Apple's scheduled technology obsolescence. I'm not talking iPad 1st gen, which was always slow. Soon after release it was clear that iPad first gen was underpowered. I'm talking about iPad 3rd gen, which has 1 GB RAM, a retina display, and does not crash when loading web pages. It has enough RAM to load any web page. "Hardware improvements" are not needed on this device. Software improvements ARE needed including updating the browser to cater for things like ES6 which does NOT require better hardware, only a minor updated browser software. You don't think Apple should update the software, and instead I should... go to the store and buy a new iPad to get a slightly better web browser? You are part of the "throw away" culture problem, you are not helping. Let's take a look at Apple's glossy "helping the planet" page... https://www.apple.com/environment/ https://www.apple.com/environment/ "To ask less of the planet we ask more of ourselves." Nothing about extending product life, it's all fluffy feel-good futuristic gazing pre-packaged catch phrases. Well I'm asking more of Apple too, like software updates for an iPad3. Asking more of ourselves is not enough, we also need to act on those questions, not just copy and paste the slogans on a "helping the planet" page.