First off, I like this thread and the discussion that has sprung up from it. It's all interesting conjecture and it'll be fun to see how right or wrong we all are about the iOS support fate of our A5/A5X iOS devices. This all being said, I think it is useful to clarify on a couple facts that I've seen mis-represented a few times:
1. The fourth generation iPod touch:
- was sold through May of last year when it was replaced by the 16GB front-camera-less variant of the iPod touch.
- Shipped with iOS 4 when it first debuted, then 5 when the iPhone 4S came out and when the white version was released, then 6 through its discontinuation.
- Was prohibited from running iOS 7 presumably (as this is all but confirmed by Apple themselves) due to it only having 256MB of RAM as opposed to the 512+MB that all of the allowed devices (iPhone 4 included) had.
2. The third generation iPad:
- Came with 1GB of RAM on/in its A5X as opposed to the 512MB in every other A5-based device
- Supposedly has 7 times faster the graphics capability of the A5 (so sayeth Apple)
- This is evened out by the retina display (theorized)
- Was discontinued when the fourth generation iPad came out in October 2012
- Was allowed to run iOS 7
3. Fourth Generation iPad:
- Was discontinued with the release of the iPad Air, then the 16GB model was re-released to replace the aging iPad 2 which was not selling well
- Has the A6X, presumably as big of a leap in performance from the A5X as the A6 was from the A5
4. iPad 2:
- Does not have certain other features not related to processor that most newer A5 devices have (such as: retina display, Bluetooth 4.0, higher-resolution cameras, Siri [which could be due to a difference in the audio system], and similar others)
5. iOS Updates:
- Not historically determined by whether or not the device was sold by Apple at the time or even during the year in which the new OS was announced (case in point: original iPhone and first gen iPod touch with iOS 3, second gen iPod touch with iOS 4, third gen iPod touch and first gen iPad with iOS 5, third gen iPad with iOS 7. It DOES happen from time to time.
- Typically disallowed for a certain device when it can't run it well enough to have an enjoyable experience (though why the 3GS got iOS 6 and the third gen touch didn't when the latter had faster internals is a bit mysterious)
6. iOS 8:
- It being merely an optimization update (a la Snow Leopard) is an unconfirmed rumor and here-say
- No one knows any concrete details about it; its inevitability is universally assumed
That all being said:
Given iOS 8 isn't looking to be much different, there is no reason for it to run badly on the iPad 2. The iPad is very very similar to the 4S, the Mini 1 and the touch 5. In fact its got a faster processor than the 4S/Touch 5 plus it has less pixels to push. Given that Apple are almost certainly going to support the 4S/Touch 5 considering neither have reached their 'os support limit' plus the fact they both run iOS 7 well there would be no technical reason whatsoever for it not to run on the iPad 2.
First off, we don't know anything for sure about iOS 8. Secondly, there are plenty of hardware features present on newer iOS devices that are left out of the iPad 2. Third, Apple has often dropped support for technologies that have enough muscle to run certain software but require additional work to maintain that support. Case in point: Rosetta in Lion, Legacy BIOS support in the new Mac Pro (which prohibits it from running anything older than Windows 8 in Boot Camp). Apple could easily decide that it is dropping support for the iPad 2's screen resolution in the OS and stock apps. They could easily do the same with the iPhone 4S, though I think that'd be a tad bigger of a mistake given the (presumably) greater number of 4S users out there.
While yes the iPad 1 was pushing less pixels than the iPod touch 4, the iPod was supported because Apple continued selling it. Same with the 3GS. Plus both would have had respectable market shares at the time. In this case the iPad 2 is pushing less pixels than all the other A5 devices besides the Mini 1.
First off, iOS 5 on the first generation iPad was and still is horrible. I still have mine around and it's barely usable. iOS 5 was fine on a fourth generation iPod touch. Odds are, that's what determined the latter getting iOS 6 more than anything. Secondly, the first generation iPad mini is pushing the SAME number of pixels as the iPad 2, there is just a higher density of them. That being said, while the processors between the two are similar, there are plenty of other technologies that set the two apart.
Exactly! There is very little difference. I believe that the iPad 2/3/Mini 1 run at 1 GHZ , where as the iPod Touch 5/4S run at 800 Mhz. Essentially, the iPad 2 has more grunt, and no retina display meaning less energy to be spent! The iPad 3 has a better graphics chip (The A5X) than the 2, but the advantage of this is completely swallowed by the Retina display.
Again, if any non-A5X A5 device is to survive, then the ones that don't will likely be due to features not pertinent to the processor and the iPad 2's lack of them.
The iPod touch 3 was pretty much the same as the 3GS... from what I understood the 3GS was a little better? The 3GS got iOS 6 because it was sold right up until the iPhone 6 launch. Apple don't drop devices they are still selling. Plus the 3GS actually ran iOS 6 well, better than the iPod Touch 4.
Nope, the third generation iPod touch was actually faster than the 3GS. One of the few times that the touch was faster than its contemporary iPhone model.
Apple HASN'T dropped OS support for devices it is selling at the time of announcement, but I don't believe that they are opposed to this. I think for iPhones, it is in the EULA, but I could be wrong.
And what exactly is the difference between 4s, iPod Touch (5th), iPad 2, iPad 3 and mini (1st gen) apart from 4s, Touch has retina display and screen size? Almost zilch.
iPad 3 has 1GB of RAM, the others have 512MB. Also better graphics than the others.
iPad 3 and first gen mini, 4S, and 5th gen iPod touch have Bluetooth 4, 2 has 2.1.
First gen mini and 5th gen iPod touch have whatever wireless hardware feature gives them both AirDrop, the others don't. Also lightning connectors; though that is unlikely to matter.
The iPad 2 is still a beast even though it's old. That's why it's still capable of running iOS 7 today.
Great for 2011, even good for 2012. It is definitely showing its age in 2014; though it has aged FAR more gracefully than its predecessor.
Apple stops giving iOS major upgrades to devices when they are NOT capable of running it. If iOS 8 requires 512MB just like iOS 7, it shouldn't have any problem at all. It's rumoured that iOS 8 isn't that much different than 7 anyway!
(a) That's an unconfirmed rumor that's mostly here-say anyway. (b) RAM may not be the only factor at play here. It's hard to say, hence this thread!
4s, mini (1st gen), iPod Touch (5th), iPad 2 and iPad 3 can't be all axed by Apple for this upgrade. It's way too soon for most of these devices. They just brought iPad 3 back on sale for peaksake, and it's slower than iPad 2 with iOS 7.
You have to figure that the 4 runs 7 pretty slowly. Just like the 3GS ran 6 pretty slowly. The 4S will probably do the same with 8, and the 5th gen touch is more or less the same device in terms of raw power. the iPad 2 and first gen iPad mini already run 7 slowly, though not that slowly. Therein lies what makes this topic interesting.
That said, yes, the fifth gen iPod touch is still newer than the fourth generation was when it was finally cut off from new major iOS releases; but Apple hasn't historically shown the iPod touch line the best of care. Similarly, most first generation iOS devices aren't shown the best of love and care by comparison to their successors. The first generation iPad was lousy with this, and with the first generation iPad mini one full hardware generation behind in terms of processing power OUT OF THE GATE, it's not unlikely that Apple will push this one to the curb sooner than they do its retina-laden successor.
Again iPad 3 is back on sale. The iPad 3 will still be on sale when 8 is announced. iPad 2 was on sale several months ago. iPad 2 runs faster than 3 on iOS 7 and runs decently. It's not struggling with the OS.
The only iOS 7 device that looks like it's on its last legs is iPhone 4.
As I said if the A5 devices don't get 8, then it's simply because Apple is greedy and disgusting. Not because they struggle.
The A5 chip is dated compared to A6 and A7, but it's more powerful than you think.
It wouldn't be a matter of Apple being greedy as much as it would be about them not wanting to spend money and time on the resources to build in compatibility for those devices. Coding in for the resolutions for the iPad 2 and the first gen iPad mini might be an expense that they wish to avoid. Just like it'll be easier for them to also not support the iPhone 4S's resolution anymore when that time comes. As it stands, I'm sure it was helpful when they stopped supporting non-retina 3.5" screens. That's just one example, I'm sure there are others and I'm sure that'll be why the iPad 2 is left behind where others are given a stay of execution. Though I sort of hope they aren't; I'd rather be on an outdated OS that runs smoothly than a newer one that doesn't.
Why does the mini have Siri, but the iPad 2 does not?
Probably for reasons that have nothing to do with the processor. My guess is that they improved the audio in the 4S, third gen iPad, iPad mini, and fifth generation iPod touch.
If the iPad 3 gets iOS 8, I don't think it will run it particularly well. My iPad 3 runs iOS 7 well enough, but not perfect.
The 1GB of RAM may save it. Hard to tell though. That's why I included it in the poll.
No...
There is a difference between stripping features and giving iOS upgrades.
Besides most schools and unis have iPad 2s and Apple would have to support these especially iPad 2 was still on sale just a few months ago.
3GS and Touch 4 were no longer on sale when 5 and Touch 5 came out, but still received iOS 6.
(And you could tell iOS 6 will be its last, it struggled as heck. If iPad 2 iOS 7 owners think their tablet is "struggling" they have seen nothing)
First off, Apple has released security updates to the fourth generation iPod touch and iPhone 3GS in the form of exclusive versions of iOS 6. They could easily do the same with iOS 7 on the iPad 2. Secondly, there are a lot of iPad 2's out there in service not on 7 yet. It's possible that EDUs haven't made the switch yet. Even so though, odds are they'll soon be swapped for fourth generation iPads and iPad Airs.
Explain iPad 3 then. Axed before iOS 7 was announced, yet still got it.
If ANY A5 device supports 8, iPad 2 would join the supported list. So would the rest of the A5 family.
Could I say iOS 8 would be iPad 2's last? Yes. But it's far too early for iPad 2 to be axed from upgrades when it was literally on sale months ago.
The fact that it was on sale months ago means nothing. Apple has discontinued devices months before disallowing them from the iOS release announced at WWDC.
I'm pretty sure the iPhone 4 will be dropped from iOS 8. The iPhone 4s I think will still be included, unless it is discontinued with an 8GB 5c in the coming month (before WWDC). The iPad 2 I'm 70% certain won't receive iOS 8 as it was discounted at the same time the iPod touch 4th Gen was last year (few months before WWDC). The 5th Gen Touch may run iOS 8. Anything A6 or newer will more then likely supported. A7 I know will be supported.
The 8GB 5C could've been a way out for Apple for iPhone 4S support. It's odd that this release didn't happen here and that it didn't replace the 4S. That would've made things easier for all parties, Apple included.
Id love to see 3.5 screens gone but I think theres another year til that dream happens =/
It would make things simpler for Apple if they dropped it. Same if they dropped support for non-retina iPad 2/iPad mini screens. As it stands, they now support 4 different resolution of screens.
And there is something wrong of making it the first to break that barrier?
There is a reason why iPad 2 was on sale for SO long. Because while it was cheaper to produce for Apple, it is a BEAST of a tablet for its age. And it still is. It's only MONTHS older than 4s. And I guarantee you 4s will get 8.
So unless Apple wants to smell money from their own farts for the 1st time regarding iOS upgrades, there is no way iPad 2 is missing out on 8.
I don't think it'd be all that egregious a move for them. It is an older tablet lacking in multiple features that newer devices now have.
