Steve Smith talks about the Apple's iOS11 announcement, and what it means for all users that currently have 32-bit iPhones and iPads.
Episode #7-41 released on June 9, 2017
In the advent of iOS11 being announced as not supporting the iPhone 5 and 5c amongst a few other devices, there is a question a lot of people are asking about. This question relates to planned obsolescence.
Let us focus on the biggest change here, the elimination for support of 32bit processors and applications from the Apple App Store. It isn't entirely a bad thing, after all, 32bit processors can only handle a theatrical 4GB of RAM, which usually ends up less, regardless of how we look at it.
So, the question is not why is Apple planning to stop supporting these devices. They usually support devices for 3 years, it has been 5 years since the iPhone 5 has been released. It isn't because they are alone doing this, Android is guilty of almost immediately not supporting devices beyond two years, sometimes less.
Now, where Android phones and tablets are reliant on service providers to push updates for devices, Apple has always had the stance to push updates themselves, allowing all compatible devices to be updated, making them more secure and easier to code applications because of known compatibility. Knowing exactly which devices they will be coding for, and being able to test on a more limited number of devices makes it easier to make more stable applications, in the long run.
Now, there are other reasons outside of Apple, that make planned obsolescence a thing. Wireless transmission, and communication standards. The original iPhone is currently unsupported in many places, because of its obsolete communication technology, which means that even if Apple ever intended to continue supporting past devices, the world around it, would eventually stop being able to. Keep in mind, our needs change with time, and while getting the latest device every year seems to be more of a luxury than logical, there are things we can do with obsolete devices, too. For one, you now have a good MP3 player. Your Apple device can still access WIFI, and while eventually support by applications may stop, you will be able to connect to their web-sites via the browser.
If holding onto an obsolete device doesn't interest you, do not throw it away, recycle it properly. Contact your local service provider or the manufacture for proper recycling information, this way, that old device can have all the raw materials separated out, and reused in brand new devices. Nothing on this planet is in unlimited, especially the portions that make today's touch technology possible.
Host : Steve Smith | Music : | Editor : Steve Smith | Producer : Zed Axis Dot Net