Did I say it surprised me? I semi expected it, but also kind of expected Apple to do right by its customers. By the looks the decision to drop the A5 devices came very late as they had the graphics ready for supporting at least the iPad 2, iPad 3, Mini 1 and Touch 5.
I do however believe given the numbers of iPad users who have A5 iPads that Apple should give us security updates for another year. Apple was greedy enough to sell the iPad 2, iPad Mini 1 and Touch 5 all past their sell by dates and should keep them updated in security. Apple is a large company and given the amount they make, I don't think it is much of an ask for them to keep their devices updated software-wise for as long as possible.
Not all of us can purchase a new device at the drop of the hat. Not only that but the environmentally friendly thing to do is to continue software support for as long as possible, to keep devices as unusable for as long as possible (well that plus allowing downgrading). I would have taken a speed hit to ensure another year of compatibility + security on my iPad 2 to last me until Apple can get its act together and put out a fully featured and specced Pro 9.7.
I'm aware of what Apple's website showed earlier today, but I don't believe that's some "last minute change" internally, but rather… a goof from the marketing team (wouldn't be the first time).
It wouldn't make any sense. The iPad 2 and iPhone 4S both run on the same hardware, yet the iPad 2 has to push more pixels than the 4S. Also, it was introduced
prior to the iPhone 4S, so if anything, it would make for sense for the iPad 2 to get cut first, not the iPhone 4S.
Regardless, Apple screwed over other iOS users in the past. The 4th gen iPod touch was discontinued only months before WWDC 2013, and there it was announced that the 4th gen iPod touch wouldn't make it to iOS 7. So, anyone who got a 4th gen iPod touch in, say, January 2013 were really unlucky.
If anything, Apple was really quite generous to the A5 devices. Remember the original iPad? Introduced in 2010, didn't even make it to iOS 6. So its lifespan was 2010-2012 (two years). iPhone 3GS's lifespan was 2009-2013, four years. The iPad mini and iPod touch 5th gen's lifespans were also four years, and the iPhone 4S and iPad 2's lifespans were 5-5.5 years.
This is just what happens when you buy old tech at a "bargain" price. You may think you're getting a good deal, but in the long term, you really don't get your money's worth.
It sucks, but that's the cold hard truth.
Wish they could have just released it as an experimental release for devs.
