iPod Touch 7th Gen's existence explained? Apple announces IOS 13 device support and drops A7, and A8 with 1GB RAM

[LukeSavenije]

Sources: @AluminiumTech, anandtech

 

Today Apple announced the new iOS 13 operating system update for iPhones as a response to WWDC yesterday. For iOS 13, it looks like Apple is dropping support for devices older than the iPhone 6S. In general it looks like any past generation device with 1GB of RAM will no longer be supported and will not receive the iOS 13 update.

 

Ipad mini 4 will still have support, even if it has the same a8 as in the iphone 6, it has more RAM. 6th gen ipod touch will be killed with this

 

Quote

well... time to warn my friends and family again

[AlTech]

To clarify, the Apple A8 chip paired with 2GB RAM such as in iPad Mini 4 is why it is supported in iPadOS.

 

And the possible reason for the launch of iPod Touch 7th gen is the fact that the 6th gen is not supported in IOS 13. Apple likely knew this ahead of IOS13's launch and so created the iPod Touch 7th gen to enable iPod Touch users to still have access to IOS 13.

[Bouzoo]

I'm failing to see how this explains 7th gen iPod Touch existence. 

[Kherm]

RIP iPhone 6 series.

 

I've still got a few relatives on those, I'll have to upgrade them.

[LukeSavenije]

3 minutes ago, Bouzoo said:

I'm failing to see how this explains 7th gen iPod Touch existence. 

because 6th gen isn't supported with this update

[Drak3]

11 minutes ago, Bouzoo said:

I'm failing to see how this explains 7th gen iPod Touch existence. 

There will be an iPod tjat supports iOS 13

[Bouzoo]

46 minutes ago, Drak3 said:

There will be an iPod tjat supports iOS 13

And that makes... no difference. "We launched a product so we can say we support it with latest update" makes no sense. Nope, that is not it. 

[Drak3]

Just now, Bouzoo said:

And that makes... no difference.

Depends on what changes with iOS 13. Some developers use them because they're cheaper than iPhones.

[Bouzoo]

Just now, Drak3 said:

Depends on what changes with iOS 13. Some developers use them because they're cheaper than iPhones.

Anecdotal experience, but I have yet to see a single developer that uses an iPod. Like literally one. Every single one has an iPhone, I can only assume due to more functionalities that may get in the way. 

[Drak3]

1 minute ago, Bouzoo said:

Anecdotal experience

Not really anecdotal. There are developers out there that want a cheap device for testing purposes. Hardware wise, it's the same as older iPhones (not that there are huge changes between them that breaks compatibility,) software is the only major issue.

[Bouzoo]

Just now, Drak3 said:

Not really anecdotal. There are developers out there that want a cheap device for testing purposes. Hardware wise, it's the same as older iPhones (not that there are huge changes between them that breaks compatibility,) software is the only major issue.

And software is bound to change is what I meant, no regular phone services (calling, regular SMS), no mobile data connection so no mobile networks options most notable ones to mention. As I said, my reasoning, will it break, I have no idea, never tried developing for iOS. Probably won't but I wouldn't know 100%.

[AlTech]

27 minutes ago, Bouzoo said:

And software is bound to change is what I meant, no regular phone services (calling, regular SMS), no mobile data connection so no mobile networks options most notable ones to mention. As I said, my reasoning, will it break, I have no idea, never tried developing for iOS. Probably won't but I wouldn't know 100%.

I would actually argue the biggest drawback from a developer perspective is the fact that it's a completely different screen size to regular iPhones.

[Bouzoo]

15 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

I would actually argue the biggest drawback from a developer perspective is the fact that it's a completely different screen size to regular iPhones.

The screen size and res is the same as iPhone 5/5S though. Which in the world of iPhones I suppose means they are prepared for it?

[poochyena]

1 hour ago, LukeSavenije said:

because 6th gen isn't supported with this update

What does that matter. If you want a music playing device, just use your smartphone.

[LukeSavenije]

2 minutes ago, poochyena said:

What does that matter. If you want a music playing device, just use your smartphone.

some people seem to care

[AlTech]

6 minutes ago, Bouzoo said:

The screen size and res is the same as iPhone 5/5S though. Which in the world of iPhones I suppose means they are prepared for it?

Well yes but ideally you'd want the same resolution and screen size as popular recent devices like a 7 or 7 plus as well as an Xr, Xs, and Xs Max.

[Trixanity]

1 hour ago, Bouzoo said:

And software is bound to change is what I meant, no regular phone services (calling, regular SMS), no mobile data connection so no mobile networks options most notable ones to mention. As I said, my reasoning, will it break, I have no idea, never tried developing for iOS. Probably won't but I wouldn't know 100%.

Developers can't really touch all the cellular stuff anyway (at least I can't imagine so) so for all intents and purposes it's an iPhone.

 

Considering the amount of devices being maintained on LOS with the developers not having access to the vast majority of the devices they develop for and things seem to generally work out anyway, I'm inclined to believe - short of incompetence - that it will be a non-issue.

[Drak3]

1 hour ago, AluminiumTech said:

Well yes but ideally you'd want the same resolution and screen size as popular recent devices like a 7 or 7 plus as well as an Xr, Xs, and Xs Max.

iOS renderes at an internal resolution higher than the display...

 

And for testing purposes, screen size is kinda irrelevant.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Bouzoo said:

I'm failing to see how this explains 7th gen iPod Touch existence. 

6th gen isn’t supported. There’s still a market for these, and support is needed

[Guest]

17 hours ago, Kherm said:

RIP iPhone 6 series.

 

I've still got a few relatives on those, I'll have to upgrade them.

Not a bad life given it is 5 years old now. Not too bad a life for modern electronics. Shame Android devices don't get updates for as long.

[saltycaramel]

18 hours ago, Bouzoo said:

I'm failing to see how this explains 7th gen iPod Touch existence. 

 

Having at least one iPod (probably the last ever but who knows) that is up to date in terms of software.

Perfect for kids, point of sale, etc..

 

Also iOS13 is required to use Apple Arcade next fall, so this makes it a kid friendly Apple Arcade machine..

[Froody129]

That means my 6s Plus is likely nearing end-of-life . The 6 is definitely showing its age but my phone still feels great. 

 

5 years for a modern phone is great. It's sad that such a short time is the exception and not the rule though. The Apple value proposition is pretty good if you can get 5 good years of use at least out of your phone 

[saltycaramel]

29 minutes ago, Froody129 said:

That means my 6s Plus is likely nearing end-of-life . The 6 is definitely showing its age but my phone still feels great. 

 

5 years for a modern phone is great. It's sad that such a short time is the exception and not the rule though. The Apple value proposition is pretty good if you can get 5 good years of use at least out of your phone 

6s was a great generation...the jump to A9 and 2GB of ram meant instant spotlight and never seeing a safari tab reload again...even if I personally don’t use no A9 device anymore, I sure hope that A9 makes the jump to iOS14 next year as a farewell update...if 14 is a “tock”, after the “tick” of 13, it could happen..

[Video Beagle]

41 minutes ago, Froody129 said:

That means my 6s Plus is likely nearing end-of-life . The 6 is definitely showing its age but my phone still feels great. 

 

5 years for a modern phone is great. It's sad that such a short time is the exception and not the rule though. The Apple value proposition is pretty good if you can get 5 good years of use at least out of your phone 

I'm on a 5s....still all I need...though I guess i'll need to look at what's new now...really like the 5s size and shape

[Dylanc1500]

11 minutes ago, Video Beagle said:

I'm on a 5s....still all I need...though I guess i'll need to look at what's new now...really like the 5s size and shape

You can always get go for a SE. They have the same body and screen.