I think the biggest reason Apple still supports old hardware is they're still selling it (see: iPhone 3GS and now iPad 2).
That being said, it is interesting how Apple's support of old hardware is the dual of Google's.
Google does a bad job of getting OS updates to older hardware, but they do an impressively good job of supporting their applications on older hardware and OSes. Outside of the deliberate exception of the Chrome Beta, I can't think of an official Google app for Android that doesn't support at least Froyo and many go back further. My G1 (running Donut) was still getting Google app updates for a good chunk of last year. I happen to know that because I picked it up for a memorial tweet on the G1's third anniversary and was surprised with all the update notifications I got.
Meanwhile, Apple is very good about getting OS updates to older devices. But when you look at their app support, it doesn't look nearly so good. Everyone talks about Siri, but did you also know that the original iPad doesn't support iPhoto or iMovie (see: http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/9/2856499/iphoto-ios-app-ipad... )? iMovie is particularly damning because the first iOS version (for the iPhone 4) was released less than 3 months after the original iPad.
And note that while older Apple devices nearly all get the new version number, sometimes that's about all they get in the way of features from the upgrade.
I understand why Android geeks are desperate to have the very latest OS version running on their device (as a weird point of OCD-geek pride). I have no idea why Apple fans should care so much about what version number Android phones have when Google is near constantly updating the software that runs of them. Seems to run counter to their stance on the features vs. specs debate on hardware, where user experience is more important than the number attached to something.
"Normal people" on the other hand, clearly don't give a damn, if they are even aware of this "issue", and have no reason to.
I don't think it's the main reason either. The reason is customer loyalty. But I believe that media and app sales are more important than you think, because it's the entire integrated ecosystem that keeps people inside Apple's fold. Secondly, Apple is investing huge amounts into expanding their software/services/media offering, so current sales might not be telling you very much about their motivation.
my bet is that they locked themselves in because of some contract with corporation (trying to beat RIM at some time) or government.
And those contracts are still giving them money, otherwise they wouldn't think twice about breaking it. All apple actions can be directly translated to immediate profit goal.
That must be why Apple is still providing cheap OS upgrades for my four year old Mac. Or maybe they're smart enough to realize that I might not buy their products again if they were obsoleted as soon as possible?
fpgeek|14 years ago
That being said, it is interesting how Apple's support of old hardware is the dual of Google's.
Google does a bad job of getting OS updates to older hardware, but they do an impressively good job of supporting their applications on older hardware and OSes. Outside of the deliberate exception of the Chrome Beta, I can't think of an official Google app for Android that doesn't support at least Froyo and many go back further. My G1 (running Donut) was still getting Google app updates for a good chunk of last year. I happen to know that because I picked it up for a memorial tweet on the G1's third anniversary and was surprised with all the update notifications I got.
Meanwhile, Apple is very good about getting OS updates to older devices. But when you look at their app support, it doesn't look nearly so good. Everyone talks about Siri, but did you also know that the original iPad doesn't support iPhoto or iMovie (see: http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/9/2856499/iphoto-ios-app-ipad... )? iMovie is particularly damning because the first iOS version (for the iPhone 4) was released less than 3 months after the original iPad.
ZeroGravitas|14 years ago
I understand why Android geeks are desperate to have the very latest OS version running on their device (as a weird point of OCD-geek pride). I have no idea why Apple fans should care so much about what version number Android phones have when Google is near constantly updating the software that runs of them. Seems to run counter to their stance on the features vs. specs debate on hardware, where user experience is more important than the number attached to something.
"Normal people" on the other hand, clearly don't give a damn, if they are even aware of this "issue", and have no reason to.
unknown|14 years ago
[deleted]
fauigerzigerk|14 years ago
cmsj|14 years ago
gcb|14 years ago
And those contracts are still giving them money, otherwise they wouldn't think twice about breaking it. All apple actions can be directly translated to immediate profit goal.
gnaffle|14 years ago