1st gen iPads - are these now obsolete?

[snoggle]

I have a 1st generation iPad. Increasingly I am finding that new apps or updates don't work or are incompatible with my iOS as it's too old. But I can't update iOS as Apple seem to have stopped supporting my iPad.

I know it seems archaic to have an original iPad, but really, I only bought it 4 years ago. For a piece of technology which cost £500, I expect it to last longer than 4 years. Most people would expect a laptop to last longer than that for about he same price wouldn't they?

I think apple should be prepared to support their products for a longer period than this

[niceguy2]

I agree. I still have the original ipad and am also frustrated that a lot of apps are no longer compatible.

[MasterFlea]

This pisses me off too. My ipod touch was 4 years old when it stopped being supported. Then I updated iTunes on the computer and now I can no longer sync the apps. So for example, the kindle app was deleted my a nimble fingered toddler. 'no problem' I thought and connected it to the computer to put the app back on. Nope, backup did nothing either.
So it is just an expensive ipod now. Ffs, it is not broken, just apple being greedy and pushing people to update through planned obsolence. Genius stopped working on the ipod part now. Just like that.

I understand your frustration. 4 years is such a short lifespan for that amount of money.

[tryingtocatchthewind]

Angers me too, our iPad crashes all the time on Safari and cbeebies and the like. Try explaining that to a toddler

[OwlCapone]

I gave my original iPad to DD (8). It still works for most things and she's not reported constant crashing.

You can't update the iOS because the iPad itself will not be able to run it. I think that's the reason - the processor won't be able to cope with it. DDs iPad is significantly slower than my Air.

The original iPads were released 6 years ago weren't they? That's a long time in computerland.

[PedroYoniLikesCrisps]

No, original iPads came out in 2010. 4 years is still a reasonable amount of time as far as technology goes, but Apple are experts at convincing you otherwise and 'forcing' you to shell out on a new product every year.

Having said that, it might be worth giving them a call and complaining that 4 years is a stupidly short time for a product to become useless, especially when it cost hundreds of overvalued pounds. A friend of mine tried this recently and got some free stuff (unsure of details I'm afraid).

[Elliptic5]

I bought the original iPad when it first came out, I've now got an iPad Air and passed the original to DH (a technophobe ). We've had a couple of disasters with updating things only to find they don't work but I've always managed to revert them, but basically it still works for everything and there are some things on it I prefer to the Air

[GalaxyInMyPants]

I agree. People wouldn't put up with a laptop that only lasted 4 years due to software being unsupported.

[snoggle]

Yes they were only released 4 yrs ago and whilst you expect tech to move on in that time, I don't expect something to simply stop being supported.

I get loads of crashing on apps and in safari, some apps which say you need to update but then are incompatible with iOS. It runs slowly and I can see us just ending up using it as a movie player.

[12thmonkey]

I can see the frustration thats caused by this but the first generation of any device is destined to have a short life expectancy. Market competition forces companies to release faster and resource intensive devices and unfortunately early runners are not built for it.

While its still no consolation Laptops are portable desktop devices and should have a much longer life expectancy as they contain many of the same components as their larger counterparts, ipads are portable hand held devices and are still subject to quite a fast evolution, like phones.

[Pinkrose1]

I got one for DS who is disabled but only 5 and it works brilliantly with his communication app. The app will lose out on any updates but is so comprehensive it won't matter for a while.

Second hand for a £100 I am not so bothered if it gets broken in school. There are only one or two other things on it and it's never crashed. Think it uses IOS 3 something so way behind. And yes 4 years is crap!

[chipsandpeas]

ive got a original ipad and the only issues i had was sky go stopped working but its working again after they sorted it after i assume people complaining
i want a ipad air but cant justify getting a new one while the old one still works

[OddBoots]

I had this with my ipod touch and it's what made me get an android tablet not an ipad. For the price apple charge for their products they are really taking the mickey by having them become useless so quickly.

[SunnyL]

I have an original. I really really miss being able to watch 4od programmes on it.

safari keeps crashing when I'm even vaguely sophisticated websites. also it crashes if an email arrives while I'm online.