Apple forgetting the A6 devices

[danleon950410]

I'm not sure what what you provided as an example of an answer corresponds to what was provided. It might have been more direct/terse than friendly, but hardly disrespectful.

I wasn't talking about you. At least you contributed to the case.

 

[uid15]

In the olden days a company's reputation was earned by making a SOLID product which would last years and years and YEARS, and which they would service and repair for you for many a year, and it would last until you wore it into the ground or it fell apart from MANY years of use. That's no longer the case, INCLUDING Apple, and please - no trying to justify this BS. There's nothing "better" that newER, fastER bloated software NEEDS that couldn't be realised in a 3-4 year old iPad - they just want you to buy new things ALL THE TIME, that's what makes the whole structure behind the justification and pretense of "Better" nonsense. If Apple were THAT GOOD at making iPads, they could EASILY EASILY make one that lasted 6-8 years, but since they're always ALREADY a gen or 2 BEHIND hardware, well... how very convenient for them.

Let us propose a scenario here - let's say all hardware specs FROZE suddenly due to some malfunction or other unpredictable turn of events that caused silicon chip manufacturing to come to an abrupt HALT for 5-10 years... IMAGINE it, **TRY** ... ok, so Apple and their silicon fabs have a HUGE (let's say 100 billion) stockpile of "outdated" but current gen silicon, but still perfectly usable all the same... so you're telling me they'd suddenly STOP production of iThings? I think NOT. Computers are not chocolate bars or toilet roll... or at least they shouldn't be consumables, and all this planned obsolescence is a ploy to continually dangle the carrot further and further from your nose, just when you've managed to grab a small nibble... they swap it for a BIGGER CARROT, and keep dangling it as they back away from you continually...

I am not saying they're "evil" - that's idiotic and ridiculous, but you don't amass hundred of billions of dollars without pulling a few flankers. At least Bill Gates has a good heart and is giving away his own fortune to good causes... and Apple? Yeah right.

The answer is very simple, and the answer is human GREED.

 

[scjr]

Should he keep his answer out of the replying box, i think. As George says, iPads are expensive devices, the last thing we need is someone saying "So you don't have any money?".

If you know something about performance, you may have noticed that you kind-of-lost the fight when you mentionted RAM, that holds the key on the piece that doesn't fit the puzzle.

Is this answer going to help the OP play his games and use his apps that are no longer supported by the iPad 4 chip? How is the OP going to use the apps and play the games he wants? Did you even read that he mentioned that in his initial post?

There is nothing that can be done, if the hardware no longer supports the program short of buying a new device. So truthfully, you aren't being helpful here. You are just choosing to criticize other responses. Feel better now?

 

[danleon950410]

Since you're in the helping mood.

What do you recommend, that will help the OP speed up his iPad 4 to function properly with all the latest and greatest processor and ram intensive apps/games? Waiting for your "helpful" answer.

Reboot.
Did that help in any way? Of course not! What about a plain dot? Negative.
But still more helpful than "Adapt or die".

Let me turn the tables with an example:
"How would you and [X User] like to pay for George's new iPad considering that all the latest processor and ram intensive apps/games that are being created??

It's more of an excuse for saying things, not to help, really.

 

[Andres Cantu]

My iPad 4 runs an A6X chip, it's not that old and its fast and fluid, games don't lag on Apple devices except for some A5 devices, my iPhone 4 graphics are not that bad, I noticed that Apple is starting to leave those devices which kinda bothers me, most A5 devices got the longest support for iOS and games and apps, A6 devices run iOS 9 fluidly. I suddenly find some apps and games that only support a7 and later especially after iOS 9 release, so it bothers me that a small bit of apps and games are not supported on my iPad, iPads are expensive devices and they should get the right treatment at least for 6 years, my iPad still didn't make it to 3 years. They are not going to force me to buy the air and air 2 cause both of them are stupid light weight fake iPads. My iPad still works and should get the right treatment.

I think the reason for this is that, while the A6 may have more than 2x the CPU performance of the A5 (a first for an A-chip), its GPU performance relative to the A7's is weak (the A7 has 2x the GPU performance of the A6X, which has 2x the performance of the A5X, which is roughly the same as the A6's). On top of that, the A7 is a 64-bit chip that supports Metal, so it makes sense for games to be supported best on A7 devices and above.

Frankly, I would be more upset if I had an iPad 3 than an iPad 4, as the A5X is probably the worst A-chip of them all, since it's the only one not to have increased CPU performance whatsoever while at the same time kept GPU performance worse relative to the A5 and the display resolution it had to keep up with.

 

[danleon950410]

Is this answer going to help the OP play his games and use his apps that are no longer supported by the iPad 4 chip? How is the OP going to use the apps and play the games he wants? Did you even read that he mentioned that in his initial post?

There is nothing that can be done, if the hardware no longer supports the program short of buying a new device. So truthfully, you aren't being helpful here. You are just choosing to criticize other responses. Feel better now?

That's not even related on what you're quoting to answer. I'm not losing more time on you.

 

[C DM]

Reboot.
Did that help in any way? Of course not! What about a plain dot? Negative.
But still more helpful than "Adapt or die".

Let me turn the tables with an example:
"How would you and [X User] like to pay for George's new iPad considering that all the latest processor and ram intensive apps/games that are being created??

It's more of an excuse for saying things, not to help, really.

Why would suggesting things of no value and that would only take up someone's time and efforts needlessly if actually followed upon be any better than stating the plain reality? Seems like that would actually be worse.

 

[scjr]

Reboot.
Did that help in any way? Of course not! What about a plain dot? Negative.
But still more helpful than "Adapt or die".

Let me turn the tables with an example:
"How would you and [X User] like to pay for George's new iPad considering that all the latest processor and ram intensive apps/games that are being created??

It's more of an excuse for saying things, not to help, really.

Let's see if I understand. OP calls other devices stupid and fake. You call everyone out who responded in a way you don't approve of. Now instead of posting your helpful solution to the OPs original issues, so he can play his games that are no longer iPad 4 supported, you are dealing in what ifs and examples?

How have you helped the OP? You haven't. You are as guilty as every other poster you claim didn't help. I hope you can understand this isn't an example, it's the truth. Time for you to self analyze.

 

[danleon950410]

Why would suggesting things of no value and that would only take up someone's time and efforts needlessly if actually followed upon be any better than stating the plain reality? Seems like that would actually be worse.

It's simple and yet complicated at the same time: This is a help forum.
If you are really disrespectful, you get called out. If you are sarcastical and some times write under the radar, moderators won't care.
So basically you can see the post, get identified with the issue it states, share your experience and your opinions, and yeah, not much can be done...

Now, the "Buy a new one or die" joke is getting old. Various threads are full of that. If someone owns an old (For Apple:Not the newest) iPad that's not of anyone's bussines to criticize. It's about being the good person, and sometimes, it's best for us to don't say anything at all, at least if nothing constructive we have to say.

Or at least say "Buy a new one or die" in a better way.

 

[lagwagon]

Nice answer. Helpful? Not at all. Disrespectful? Of course. Under that logic, why does this forum even exist?

The OP was upset his older iPad couldn't play brand new games, which are for the reason they were made to only support Metal. Unfortunately for him Metal starts at A7 chips because of 64bit not the 32bit A6. If he is unwilling to upgrade to play the games he really wants to play that were developed specifically only for 64bit and Metal, then that is on him, not Apple, not the game developers...him. You don't see people complaining their PS2 should be supported to play PS4 only games.

 

[danleon950410]

Let's see if I understand. OP calls other devices stupid and fake. You call everyone out who responded in a way you don't approve of. Now instead of posting your helpful solution to the OPs original issues, so he can play his games that are no longer iPad 4 supported, you are dealing in what ifs and examples?

How have you helped the OP? You haven't. You are as guilty as every other poster you claim didn't help. I hope you can understand this isn't an example, it's the truth. Time for you to self analyze.

Yeah, you're right. He offended those poor iPads. That's not good, and had no arguments for saying that they're fake. We'll get him to apologize later.
The real problem he's pointing at, nobody seemed to get it this far. Nothing can be done.

You know what i can analyze?
The fact that George Waseem is attacked on every post before he even creates it. But i'm pretty sure that you're familiar with that, aren't you?
God knows why that is or why do i remember your picture so much, but some people at least try to argument, other just throw the first words they can make.

I'm as guilty as every poster i claim didn't help. You're no one to tell me what the truth is.

 

[danleon950410]

The OP was upset his older iPad couldn't play brand new games, which are for the reason they were made to only support Metal. Unfortunately for him Metal starts at A7 chips because of 64bit not the 32bit A6. If he is unwilling to upgrade to play the games he really wants to play that were developed specifically only for 64bit and Metal, then that is on him, not Apple, not the game developers...him. You don't see people complaining their PS2 should be supported to play PS4 only games.

You're right, i forgot about metal. But some metal games were compatible with 32 bit devices, so i think there's more on that case.
I stand corrected and apologize.

 

[scjr]

Yeah, you're right. He offended those poor iPads. That's not good, and had no arguments for saying that they're fake. We'll get him to apologize later.
The real problem he's pointing at, nobody seemed to get it this far. Nothing can be done.

You know what i can analyze?
The fact that George Waseem is attacked on every post before he even creates it. But i'm pretty sure that you're familiar with that, aren't you?
God knows why that is or why do i remember your picture so much, but some people at least try to argument, other just throw the first words they can make.

I'm as guilty as every poster i claim didn't help. You're no one to tell me what the truth is.

You're kidding, right? What are you even talking about? Are you okay, seriously?

How can you help the OP with his issues? You haven't answered that question. You still haven't read the first post, have you? You are truly making yourself look bad here. Have you ever heard the term; If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging?

 

[lagwagon]

You're right, i forgot about metal. But some metal games were compatible with 32 bit devices, so i think there's more on that case.
I stand corrected and apologize.

In the earlier days you're right some games supported both 32 and 64. But with it now in the 3rd year or 3rd generation devices being on Metal, there is no big reason to bother with developing games for older non Metal devices.

By the end of this year or mid next year the vast majority of devices in people's homes or pockets will be 64bit. I wouldn't be surprised if it's not already a 80/20 split for A7+ devices out there vs A6 and less. Out of the 20% how many would actually be interested in downloaded a specific game. The cost to code for older non Metal would probably cost more than the really small percent who would buy and download it would bring in. Plus like most, people who make a product want it to be shown in the best possible light, Metal is the only way to go for that.

 

[kwokaaron]

Not even 32-bit architectured and obviously-more-powerful PCs are being dropped to this point. That would be a huge losss regarding numbers in the market.

I don't think that's a fair comparison since PC processors in general are much more powerful than a mobile processor. If you look at the mobile side of things (aka. Android), you'll most likely find that the typical Android device gets dropped much more quickly (1-2 years) than a typical iOS device (3-4 years), in terms of OS support. If you're talking about third-party apps then there isn't much Apple can do.

 

[Paddle1]

That's wrong. The long support for the A5 is due to the fact that the iPad Mini was sold in 2012. Apple tends to give 4 OS versions to his devices.

That's not wrong. There is no proof that software support is tied to the iPad mini's release date.

Furthermore, the iPad 2 has run iOS 4-9, which are 6 different versions.

 

[George Waseem]

My only problem is that when I get to download ''some'' games I get that notice that my device is not supported, I'm just getting angry that some games don't work on my iPad which in fact is just 2 years old and not that bad, I can afford buying an iPad Air 2 but I don't kinda think it's quite a big difference from my iPad, my iPad is still not on the left side of the line that's getting obsolete, it supports iOS 9 very nice and the system is fluid, i feel that apple is holding on the iPad 4 from the performance side very well while on the compatibility side it's ok I guess more than 90 % of games and 98% of apps support iPad 4, I just want it to get the different treatment (not like A5), there's quite a huge difference between both, I'm not saying that the a5 is that bad but there's still quite a difference, I can feel a bit lag on some intensive games on an iPad mini while my iPad 4 doesn't have any of those problems during playing. The A5 is now at the end of the line and we can all say that it's A5 last year getting updates. I just liked to share my experience so that people having the same problem could just tell me how their iPad / iPhone had that same problem.

 

[Radon87000]

I owned both Air 2 and the iPad 4 and the former absolutely destroys the latter in speed,ergonomics and even looks.Hands down no comparison

 

[newellj]

You had the bad luck to buy the last iPad with a 32-bit SoC. Things happen. It's not your fault, and it's not Apple's fault. Suck it up and move on.

My only problem is that when I get to download ''some'' games I get that notice that my device is not supported, I'm just getting angry that some games don't work on my iPad which in fact is just 2 years old and not that bad, I can afford buying an iPad Air 2 but I don't kinda think it's quite a big difference from my iPad, my iPad is still not on the left side of the line that's getting obsolete, it supports iOS 9 very nice and the system is fluid, i feel that apple is holding on the iPad 4 from the performance side very well while on the compatibility side it's ok I guess more than 90 % of games and 98% of apps support iPad 4, I just want it to get the different treatment (not like A5), there's quite a huge difference between both, I'm not saying that the a5 is that bad but there's still quite a difference, I can feel a bit lag on some intensive games on an iPad mini while my iPad 4 doesn't have any of those problems during playing. The A5 is now at the end of the line and we can all say that it's A5 last year getting updates. I just liked to share my experience so that people having the same problem could just tell me how their iPad / iPhone had that same problem.