iOS 6, the next version of Apple’s mobile operating system, is widely expected to be revealed this evening at Apple’s WWDC keynote in San Francisco, but that still gives us several more hours yet for the goods to leak out early. One interesting titbit doing the rounds: iOS 6 may not run on the third generation iPod touch, or the original iPad. Is the very first iPad about to be put out to pasture already?
It’s hard to believe that it was just over two short years ago that Steve Jobs stood on stage to announce the first iPad. It was a spectacular success, wild beyond anyone’s expectations, but now it appears its time is coming to an end, if a forum posting is to be believed.
Essential Reading:
- iOS 6: Six things we want to see
- iOS 6 and Siri: Six things we need to hear at WWDC
- Apple’s loose ends: How iOS 6 must make amends at WWDC
A user on WeiPhone.com has posted what are claimed to be download links to the beta versions of iOS 6 that will be released today. The links are inactive, but as MacRumors points out, lead to a session “expired” page rather than a simple Access Denied page, which would give credence to the claims.
iOS 6 beta builds for the new iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 4G are all included on the list, but notably missing are the third generation iPod touch and the original iPad.
The 2009 iPod touch is now a bit long-in-the-tooth so it’s not a huge surprise that Apple could be dropping support for it, but the first iPad is a landmark device, and this move would effectively render it obsolete. Perhaps even more remarkable is that the iPhone 3GS, older than both, will be supported – though as pundits have pointed out, it’s also the only device of the three that remains on sale.
We’ll know more when the WWDC keynote kicks off at 6pm UK time today, but in the meantime, hit the comments below with your thoughts. Is two years too little support for what is for many a laptop replacement?
