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It is planned obsolescence, because at some point I am artificially prevented from installing and running software and/or security updates. This is done by Appl

It is planned obsolescence, because at some point I am artificially prevented from installing and running software and/or security updates. This is done by Apple only providing updates up to a certain point, and then keeping the platform locked down, while no longer providing updates. Any closed platform that becomes unsupported and stays locked down is made artificially obsolete. I can buy an original IBM PC, write my own software and run it with no limitations, despite it being an unsupported platform for several decades. See the famous 8088 MPH demo for an example of how much can still be done on an ancient platform, way beyond what was considered possible in its heyday. I can even write my own OS and run that. Remember that Linux was originally written by Linus Torvalds because there was no freely available Unix-like on x86, so he decided to write his own. I can't do that with an original iPhone. You can jailbreak it, but that's not a risk-free process and it still doesn't let you install your own OS or give you direct access to the hardware. Once a device no longer receives updates or official support, it should be opened for hobbyists to experiment with.

zepto 5y ago
I disagree with the argument that there is any planned obsolescence going on. Lack of support is not the same thing. However this: > Once a device no longer receives updates or official support, it should be opened for hobbyists to experiment with. I agree with and I’d support legislation to that effect.
- KozmoNau7 5y ago
  Apple completely cutting support for first-gen iPads is certainly planned/deliberate obsolescence. The hardware is fine, well-built and solid, probably still has 50% battery life left at this point. It's not the fastest device, but plenty fast for text and 2D graphics, plus some mild 3D. But Apple has cut off support, very few apps can run on the old version of iOS it is locked to, and there is no real way of installing a different OS or adding a third-party app store or sideloading apps. Even with a paid developer account, you're severely limited. That is actively killing off a device that could still be viable and usable to a lot of people, thus planned/deliberate obsolescence.
  - zepto 5y ago
    It’s complete bullshit to say it was planned or deliberate. If you have some internal documents showing the plan, that would be different. It’s just a device from a time when technology was evolving rapidly. If this problem hadn’t been solved, there would be more of an issue, but my 6 year old iPad Pro runs everything and is still fully supported. Having said that I actually do agree that unsupported hardware in general should be opened to new OS installs at the end of official support.
    - KozmoNau7 5y ago
      How is Apple's decision to no longer support the original iPad and also refuse to open the platform not deliberate? It is still a perfectly viable piece of hardware for many uses, no matter how much technology has improved.
      - zepto 5y ago
        The reason they haven’t opened the platform is to protect the security model. That is deliberate, but has nothing to do with planned obsolescence.
        KozmoNau7 5y ago
        That is complete nonsense, and a cop-out at best. Opening up the original iPad to other operating systems and/or DIY software does not mean handing over the signing keys for currently supported platforms. In case of a running iPad, an Apple-authorized update could be pushed to the OS to unlock it and allow it to run binaries directly. Apple could also document any hardware features that would allow someone to put an iPad into "free-for-all" mode. Presumably this would require opening up the device to attach a serial cable to a JTAG connection or something similar. There are many options for Apple to open up unsupported devices for hobbyists to tinker on, and it would completely in line in the original hacker-friendly Apple spirit. Instead Apple refuses to do so, and insist that opening up an 11 year old, long unsupported device, by claiming that it would somehow compromise their current security model.

zepto 5y ago

I disagree with the argument that there is any planned obsolescence going on. Lack of support is not the same thing. However this: > Once a device no longer receives updates or official support, it should be opened for hobbyists to experiment with. I agree with and I’d support legislation to that effect.

KozmoNau7 5y ago
Apple completely cutting support for first-gen iPads is certainly planned/deliberate obsolescence. The hardware is fine, well-built and solid, probably still has 50% battery life left at this point. It's not the fastest device, but plenty fast for text and 2D graphics, plus some mild 3D. But Apple has cut off support, very few apps can run on the old version of iOS it is locked to, and there is no real way of installing a different OS or adding a third-party app store or sideloading apps. Even with a paid developer account, you're severely limited. That is actively killing off a device that could still be viable and usable to a lot of people, thus planned/deliberate obsolescence.
- zepto 5y ago
  It’s complete bullshit to say it was planned or deliberate. If you have some internal documents showing the plan, that would be different. It’s just a device from a time when technology was evolving rapidly. If this problem hadn’t been solved, there would be more of an issue, but my 6 year old iPad Pro runs everything and is still fully supported. Having said that I actually do agree that unsupported hardware in general should be opened to new OS installs at the end of official support.
  - KozmoNau7 5y ago
    How is Apple's decision to no longer support the original iPad and also refuse to open the platform not deliberate? It is still a perfectly viable piece of hardware for many uses, no matter how much technology has improved.
    - zepto 5y ago
      The reason they haven’t opened the platform is to protect the security model. That is deliberate, but has nothing to do with planned obsolescence.
      - KozmoNau7 5y ago
        That is complete nonsense, and a cop-out at best. Opening up the original iPad to other operating systems and/or DIY software does not mean handing over the signing keys for currently supported platforms. In case of a running iPad, an Apple-authorized update could be pushed to the OS to unlock it and allow it to run binaries directly. Apple could also document any hardware features that would allow someone to put an iPad into "free-for-all" mode. Presumably this would require opening up the device to attach a serial cable to a JTAG connection or something similar. There are many options for Apple to open up unsupported devices for hobbyists to tinker on, and it would completely in line in the original hacker-friendly Apple spirit. Instead Apple refuses to do so, and insist that opening up an 11 year old, long unsupported device, by claiming that it would somehow compromise their current security model.