Planned obsolescence is one thing, but taking a perfectly good device and deliberately making it obsolete is something else. Apple may be the king of this.

I had a video adapter made by Apple for my iPad3 that allowed me to stream video from my iPhone. The video adapter has a chip inside and one day, I got the dreaded message, "device is not supported". That's right, Apple's own device connected to other Apple devices was no longer supported. The adapter was only $60, but what the hell?

I have a Boston Acoustic table stereo for the kitchen designed to be connected via cradle to an iPod or iPhone. It's a bit older and cost about $300. It has the 30 Pin connector, but using a $30 Apple 30 pin to lightning adapter, it worked fine... until a recent iPhone update. Now, "device not supported".

Today, I tried to watch MLB.com through the At Bat app, but the app crashed twice. So, I deleted it, then tried to re-download the app, but no go. The updated app won't work with an iPad 3. So, you might say that's not Apple's fault since MLB is responsible for the app, however, Apple still sells iPad 3's. Maybe not as egregious as the other two examples, but if I had just purchased my iPad 3, I'd be pretty pissed.

You guys have example of this? How about other ecosystems, or is Apple just that bad?

Kindle app it won’t work on gen 1 iPad since apple wont allow updates to iOS on said ipad

I have received the "device not supported" message when a USB-to-lightning cable went bad. Replaced the cable with one that I knew was good, and like magic, the device was once again supported.

quote:

Originally posted by jigray3:

You guys have example of this? How about other ecosystems, or is Apple just that bad?

Lots of software examples. For instance, I moved to a newer version of QuickBooks and it would not install on Windows XP. I was perfectly happy with XP, but QuickBooks forced me to move to Windows 7.

More like a transition of technology than planned obsolescence albeit the outcome may be similar.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Kindle app it won’t work on gen 1 iPad since apple wont allow updates to iOS on said ipad

I foolishly bought an iPad 4th generation today before I found out it won't take the current iOS version either, which means it can't restore from my iCloud. The latest version it will take is 10.3.3, when the current version on my other devices is 12.1.4. Trying to exchange or return it.

As V-Tail mentioned, failure of the port or cabling will cause that error message. Also, isn't iPad3 something like 5-7 years old now? If Apple was forcing obsolescence, it seems that they'd do it sooner than seven years.

It's because Apple supports their kit so long that they, somewhat ironically, eventually get the "forced obsolescence" accusation. Eventually they have to move on, like when they dropped analog output with the introduction of the lightening connector on the iPhone 5. That made some peripherals and software obsolete, but that was the cost of only having digital output from the dock, a battery saving design decision.

Are there any consumer electronic companies that fully support their product with new peripherals and software after five years? I can't think of any. The only company that comes to mind is, wait for it...., Apple, with the //e, software, and peripherals selling for eleven years from 1983-1994.

It seems we put up with this in a phone or computer when we wouldn’t for another piece of electronics. Imagine turning on your 5 year old flat screen and seeing “device not supported”. I purchased a nook from Barnes and Noble. One of the features they touted was a user replaceable battery. Less than a year and a half later B&N told me they no longer supported the device and when I tried to buy a battery replacement. A year and a half.

Part of the issue is it isn't 'free' to keep using these tech devices, because as they get upgraded, it costs money to keep everything 'working' with software.

So older apps / tech stop working because they aren't financially viable to keep working.

ETA - the Ipad 3 is the odd duck - it was only sold for 7 months.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:

the Ipad 3 is the odd duck - it was only sold for 7 months.

If memory serves, the major difference between the iPad 3 and iPad 4 is the connector: 30-pin vs. lightning.

I could be wrong. It actually happened. Once.

Try owning a flip phone. Verizon made my phone obsolete when I tried to activate the exact model after dropping my phone in the lake.

Don't get me started about non-replaceable batteries in cell phones.

Last time I got a smart phone, I made sure it had a replaceable battery. I've gotten six years out of the phone, replacing the battery a few times. I notice now that nearly all the phones have non-replacable(by the user) batteries.

I always see comments like this.
"My <insert whatever> doesn't work anymore after a software update! Stupid Apple!"
Every time I have 1 thought.
Read the patch notes.
Nobody forced you to update your software.
You either turned on auto-update, or you clicked the button to update manually.

I have a launch day IPAD that is one of my longest lasting devices. I can still run Netflix on it and browse and watch some stored videos.

Is it perfect, hell no, but it still works and holds a charge and got heavy use in it’s heyday so no complaints here.

I have and IPhone 4S that still makes a dandy IPod touch.

All in all I feel my Apple products have given me more use then many other tech products.