iPad owners using outdated devices (horror)

[quackers82]

It's good Apple still support the iPad 2, they cannot go shouting how green they are if they make millions of devices useless after 2 years due to lack of support which then make them go in the bin.

I hope the iPad 2 and iPad mini get iOS 10. It's just a shame apple don't do more to make the older devices run a bit better on the newer iOS , my mini 1 is no where near as nippy on iOS 9 as it was on 7.

I was thinking of replacing both my mums and nans iPad 2's as Christmas presents this year , but then decided it would be a waste as they both get heavily used daily and neither of them complain about the speed.

 

[sjleworthy]

It doesn't have to be disturbing for apple if they STOP supporting the iPad 2 with updates.

How do they do that? What does "support" actually mean?

I'm on ipad2 and havent updated my ios for a couple of versions now. Dont need\want to. Does this mean i'm now officially 'unsupported ?
I mean, my device still runs and operates 95% of apps and new apps.

How can i be obliged to update when i dont need to? Its a hard one.

Ok, ipad2 is showing its age and slowness and is beginning for me to get horrible (speed wise) to use, which is why i'm upgrading to IPP, but for many and most this isnt an issue, so they wont upgrade.

 

[RebornProphet]

Here's one report on iPad relevance and model use:


"Most iPad owners are using outdated devices, and that's a disturbing trend for Apple

More people use the iPad 2 than any other iPad, according to a study by market research film, Localytics, shared by AppleInsider.

The study collected data from over 50 million iPads, and over 20% of those were the iPad 2, which was released way back in March 2011.

The second most used iPad is the iPad mini, which was released in late 2012.

To compare, only 9% of iPad owners in the study use the latest iPad Air 2 that was released in 2014, and 0.3% use the latest iPad mini 4, which came out this year."


http://www.techinsider.io/apple-ipad-2-is-most-used-ipad-2015-11

This also backs up the point I often make, and shows why developers never specifically target the newest chipset and why the latest iPad is never anywhere near pushed to its potential before its superseded. Developers target the user base, the largest installed user base, first and foremost as its where the money is. While Apple have, in some eyes, crippled the original Air in terms of its OS with iOS 9, in terms of app performance it still runs everything the iPad Air 2 does. And as for the Air 2, there is nothing on the App Store that comes close to pushing the 8 core GPU inside it and being honest even for the next year or so, nothing will. The iPad Pro will be replaced by a new model, maybe even two, before an app comes along that it struggles to run.

 

[RebornProphet]

People are using their devices longer and not upgrading as often. Not a big surprise when you see the numbers that Apple released during their last earnings call.

You also have the kind of circumstances from my own personal experience where people who do upgrade annually hand their old iPad down to their family who don't have one, thus removing a potential sale.

I currently use an iPad Air 2, so my old Air is handed down to my wife.

Her iPad 4, which was mine before my Air 1, is now handed down to her Dad.

Her Dad's iPad 3, which was my very first iPad, is now handed down to his wife (wife's Mum).

My very first iPad, the iPad 3, has gone to 3 people since I owned it. I suspect I'm not the only person who keeps old devices within the family.

 

[sjleworthy]

Also, as also glimpsed in this thread, the vast ipad user base are normal folk. Un-technical people. Non-geeks. Non-anoraks. People who neither care or know about the latest and current models and specs. People who want it "to just work", which it does, even on Ipad2.

How do you successfully change these people's minds? You dont.

 

[AJsAWiz]

Nothing wrong with the iPad Pro, but it’s like, I REALLY need a new computer more. The iPad Pro wouldn’t be more than a secondary device for me.

Oh, I totally understand your predicament. I, actually, need both a new iPad and a new iMac. I had to make a decision about which to get first. Both are rather slow and I use both, extensively, daily. It was a toss up, but ultimately I chose to replace the Mini now and the iMac shortly after. This may change, though, depending on the availability of the iPad Pro, since I know I can get a new iMac with no delays.

 

[pika2000]

Makes sense that the iPad 2 is used by many. It was the longest running iPad, available for sale along with the iPad 3, iPad 4, and briefly along the iPad Air. It was the baseline iPad for so long, and no wonder many businesses also adopted it (I saw a LOT of small businesses form shops to food trucks using the iPad 2 as POS).

I think this will be a lesson for Apple on how to handle "legacy" support. Microsoft have to deal with old hardware for the longest time on Windows. Apple seemed to escape that (eg. ditching 32bit Macs, etc), but now with the popularity of iPads, it's a learning curve.

I am seeing Apple wanting people to transition to at least an A8-based hardware. We'll see how things go.

Of course, in contrast, I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition, a flagship when it was released, and I'm still stuck on kitkat. Just a comparison.

 

[iSheep5S]

Interesting. I have had an iPad 2, mini one, a few bought and sold Air one's and a couple of mini 2's. I may be an 'anorak' because I shift devices often. I'm settled for what feels like the first time ever.

My wife's only 'computer' was an iPad 2 and now an Air one. I am settled with an iPad mini 2. Judging by how much use my wife uses her Air 1 its very reliable (which is the same as my mini 2 inside. I think the Air will be the new iPad 2. Why?

64bit chips. I believe the support on these will go on for longer than the 32bit.

 

[mrex]

Of course, in contrast, I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition, a flagship when it was released, and I'm still stuck on kitkat. Just a comparison.

And for what reason you need the os to be updated to lollipop? There is big difference between ios and android. Google Apps arent updated with the os while Apple apps are updated with the os.

So when you are stuck on kitkat what are the things you need from lollipop?

 

[maflynn]

"Most iPad owners are using outdated devices, and that's a disturbing trend for Apple

This is why iPad sales are continuing to erode and flatten out. My wife as the first generation iPad mini, I have the second generation. We both have zero motivation to upgrade. There's nothing compelling for the newer models to justify the expense.

 

[sjleworthy]

This is why iPad sales are continuing to erode and flatten out. My wife as the first generation iPad mini, I have the second generation. We both have zero motivation to upgrade. There's nothing compelling for the newer models to justify the expense.

thats why i held off upgrading the ipad2. Because ipp boasts desktop speeds with a large screen and Pencil is why i'm only now upgrading.

i didnt buy ipad1 (the original) at the time, even though i was so willing for it to be released, because it had no cameras, and cameras are essential to my work. This time around even the Air2 didnt entice me. not enough to excite.

but the jump up to ipp? for me thats a different matter. for me thats a game changer

 

[pika2000]

And for what reason you need the os to be updated to lollipop? There is big difference between ios and android. Google Apps arent updated with the os while Apple apps are updated with the os.

So when you are stuck on kitkat what are the things you need from lollipop?

Err, how about stage fright vulnerability fix for one? (my Samsung note is LTE version and I do use cellular). And how about better stand by on Marshmallow? Yes, Google can update apps like Chrome separately, but the bulk of the main OS still needs a full OS update. If not, then why Google still releases new Android versions? Why can't they just do silent updates via the Play Store?

And the fact is Samsung abandoned their flagship tablet in just one year.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Err, how about stage fright vulnerability fix for one? (my Samsung note is LTE version and I do use cellular). And how about better stand by on Marshmallow? Yes, Google can update apps like Chrome separately, but the bulk of the main OS still needs a full OS update. If not, then why Google still releases new Android versions? Why can't they just do silent updates via the Play Store?

And the fact is Samsung abandoned their flagship tablet in just one year.

The irony is that Apple is the bad guy for "planned obsolescence" yet others drop support in one year. What term should we use for that?

 

[joeblow7777]

Why should that surprise you? They're still working. People don't need to replace them every year, just like with computers.

The really surprising thing to me is how often people seem to get new iPhones.

Because most people are still tied into 2 year contracts or financing plans that encourage you to upgrade every other year or even every single year with some of the newer plans.

 

[pat500000]

How do they do that? What does "support" actually mean?

I'm on ipad2 and havent updated my ios for a couple of versions now. Dont need\want to. Does this mean i'm now officially 'unsupported ?
I mean, my device still runs and operates 95% of apps and new apps.

How can i be obliged to update when i dont need to? Its a hard one.

Ok, ipad2 is showing its age and slowness and is beginning for me to get horrible (speed wise) to use, which is why i'm upgrading to IPP, but for many and most this isnt an issue, so they wont upgrade.

Exactly what i meant. Apple needs to stop with iPad 2 support, such as iOS updates or whatever. They need to disassociate themselves with previous generations support.

 

[Daku93]

Since iPads are more in a category with computers than in one with phones, I'd say, apple should at least support the iPads for 5 years. What would you say if your Mac would not get any updates anymore after less than 5 years?

 

[joeblow7777]

Since iPads are more in a category with computers than in one with phones, I'd say, apple should at least support the iPads for 5 years. What would you say if your Mac would not get any updates anymore after less than 5 years?

I don't know, I would kind of say that iPads are closer to phones in terms of software.

 

[Danilo - Italy]

Belive it or not but last year I went to an Apple Shop to buy that days new iPad Air 2, but after I have seen same problem of the back illumination of the screen and the absurd vibrations at lower audio too, I moved to the exit door and now I stay with my old but wonder IPad 4.

 

[RebornProphet]

Belive it or not but last year I went to an Apple Shop to buy that days new iPad Air 2, but after I have seen same problem of the back illumination of the screen and the absurd vibrations at lower audio too, I moved to the exit door and now I stay with my old but wonder IPad 4.

You need to put abnormal pressure on the back with a white screen present to even attempt to reproduce the distortion.

As for the sound, I use a smart case and don't feel them, but then I also mainly use headphones when using my iPad to watch video or play games.

 

[Jessica Lares]

They might not be like computers, and more like phones, but if I'm using something like iMovie, or one of those fancy word processors like Ulysses, I'd rather have at least a screen the size of the Mini's to work on. The iPhone 6/6S Plus screen is big enough for drawing, but for some other things you compromise efficiency and comfort for the sake of only having one thing to carry.

 

[Cakefish]

Speakers vibrate. That's how they generate sound. A non-vibrating speaker would be a silent speaker.

 

[pika2000]

The irony is that Apple is the bad guy for "planned obsolescence" yet others drop support in one year. What term should we use for that?

Yeah. Even when Google dropped the Nexus 4, people just pretend like it's fine. I don't see people harping on the likes of second tier Android OEMs like Lenovo, Asus, etc that rarely update their devices once it is released. Heck, even Xiaomi released a KitKat phone in Singapore months after Lollipop was out, and yet it is the darling of the techies and geeks.

People complain about Microsoft and Apple for security issues, yet nobody is bothered with Android OEMs for knowingly not patching phones with security vulnerabilities. I think those OEMs should be liable.

Sorry for the rant.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Yeah. Even when Google dropped the Nexus 4, people just pretend like it's fine. I don't see people harping on the likes of second tier Android OEMs like Lenovo, Asus, etc that rarely update their devices once it is released. Heck, even Xiaomi released a KitKat phone in Singapore months after Lollipop was out, and yet it is the darling of the techies and geeks.

People complain about Microsoft and Apple for security issues, yet nobody is bothered with Android OEMs for knowingly not patching phones with security vulnerabilities. I think those OEMs should be liable.

Sorry for the rant.

Don't apologize, you're absolutely correct. People love to give Apple a hard time about how iOS updates make older iPhones too slow, but at least they are still secure, which is much more than they can say about Android phones released with obsolete Android versions and no updates.

 

[navt]

I have an iPad 2 and 3 iPad minis for the rest of the family. I think the time has come to upgrade the iPad 2 (looking for a refurbished iPad Air 2). Soon after I will upgrade the minis to mini 3s. Over the weekend I upgraded the OSX on my mid-2007 iMac with El Capitan! Imagine that.

 

[pika2000]

I have an iPad 2 and 3 iPad minis for the rest of the family. I think the time has come to upgrade the iPad 2 (looking for a refurbished iPad Air 2). Soon after I will upgrade the minis to mini 3s. Over the weekend I upgraded the OSX on my mid-2007 iMac with El Capitan! Imagine that.

Just a suggestion. Unless you must have Touch ID, go for the cheaper Mini 2 than the Mini 3. Same exact thing other than Touch ID.