iPad Apple has supported the iPad 2 for 2000 days

[rui no onna]

Apple's refusal to do that (or allow any downgrading) is one of those things that lend credibility to the "planned obsolescence" argument.

I don't like them not allowing downgrades either but I can sort of understand why.

On Android, security fixes are sent via Google Play store. On iOS, security fixes come with firmware updates. The same security holes that allow jailbreak could potentially be used by a third party with physical access to your device to install spyware and the like.

Let's also not forget iOS 6 has the Heartbleed SSL bug. I actually still have an iPad 4 running iOS 6. However, I use it for tasks that don't require security (web browsing, DRM-free epub reader, games, etc). No email, no banking, no shopping.

 

[sracer]

I don't like them not allowing downgrades either but I can sort of understand why.

On Android, security fixes are sent via Google Play store. On iOS, security fixes come with firmware updates. The same security holes that allow jailbreak could potentially be used by a third party with physical access to your device to install spyware and the like.

I must respectfully disagree with that. Not all devices in use are running the latest version of iOS (duh! ) So that means that there are people who are running older versions of iOS that have security issues. Versions that Apple no longer supports. Apple's response... if you want greater security, buy a new iPad.

For those who can upgrade but choose not to, they are not forced to upgrade (at least not for now). Those people have deliberately chosen not to upgrade (which has become more difficult to do with the nag screens every few hours). They're still "exposed"... but they chose it.

If security fixes were an actual reason (rather than an attempt to justify not being able to downgrade) then Apple would continue to release security updates to those older versions of iOS. (they know who and how many of those devices are out in the wild).

Let's also not forget iOS 6 has the Heartbleed SSL bug. I actually still have an iPad 4 running iOS 6. However, I use it for tasks that don't require security (web browsing, DRM-free epub reader, games, etc). No email, no banking, no shopping.

I remember that. I also remember (because my iPad 4 was still on 6 at the time) that Apple produced a version of IOS 6 that included the patch for the Heartbleed bug but required that any device capable of upgrading to 7 must install 7 to get the fix. Installing the fixed version of 6 was not an option.

 

[12vElectronics]

My iPad Mini 1 shipped with iOS 6. I've only ever done one update to it which is to iOS7. It runs just fine but the problem I'm running into now is that certain apps won't load (for example chase app) because the software is too old.

I'm darned if I update and I'm darned if I don't

 

[Math889]

Same 256MB RAM but the iPad had 1024x768 display while the iPod Touch only had 960x640.

Honestly, iOS 6 performed pretty poorly on the iPod Touch. If you compare the iPhone 4 (A4/512MB) and iPod Touch 4th gen (A4/256MB), the Touch frequently experienced more out of memory crashes on iOS 5. The iOS 6 update just made it worse. I think the iPhone 4 went on and got iOS 7 but man it was not a pretty sight. My cousin had one and I couldn't stand the lag.

Personally, for good performance, I wouldn't go beyond the following:
iPod Touch 4th gen: iOS 4
iPhone 4: iOS 5
iPhone 4S: iOS 6
iPad 2: iOS 6
iPad 3: iOS 6

I'm pretty impressed with longevity of the A6 (iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPad 4). Even now on iOS 9, it's still doing pretty well and has maintained decent performance. After 3 major iOS updates, the older devices would be really slow and laggy already.

iPod touch 4 was my first Apple device. I lost it in the movie theater. IOS 5 was fine , but when I installed iOS 6, it was so,slow , buggy, safari was really slow, even when unlock the device was slow. iPhone 5 was my first iPhone, . Then , I upgraded to the 6 Plus(larger screen) , however, it was so buggy, tab reloading on safari all the time . I sold my 6 Plus , and went to Android, bad experience, then windows phone, but my lumia was so slow .Then, I decided to go back to IOS . And I bought an SE. I really missed IOS . iPhone 5 design is perfect for me . Easy to hold. And that battery life is so amazing ,

 

[cube]

Not impressed. I spent 1K on the iPad 1 and it was abandoned quite quickly.

 

[12vElectronics]

Not impressed. I spent 1K on the iPad 1 and it was abandoned quite quickly.

That's how tech is nowadays. It's moving faster than ever.

 

[gnasher729]

My friend has an iPad 2 with iOS 9.3.5 .I used it one time . It's slow , unusable. Even when you open photos app it is slow.

If it was unusable, your friend wouldn't be using it. So you are using your language in a very inaccurate way to make a cheap point.

 

[cube]

That's how tech is nowadays. It's moving faster than ever.

That's how BAD tech is nowadays.