Goodbye Original iPhone and iPod Touch

With the world buzzing about the new iPhone fourth generation prototype, it has come to my attention that the life of old hardware is coming to an end. We’ve seen signs leading up to this point, but now it has become clear the original iPhone and iPod touch will no longer receive software updates from Apple. In an email to Steve Jobs, twitter user ven000m asked if Apple would be supporting the original iPhone in the future. In response, Job’s answered, “Sorry, No”.

After much deliberation, Job’s himself has confirmed that Apple is dropping software updates for the original iPhone and iPod touch. Not only does the original iPhone not get a crippled version of OS 4.0, like the iPhone 3G’s inability to multitask, but OS 4.0 won’t even install on the original iPhone. Moving forward, I expect software updates will require new hardware in order to get all the new features while last generation devices will get a crippled update. For instance, OS 5.0 will not support the iPhone 3G and will offer a limited experience to 3GS owners.

As the market evolves new hardware is needed to support new features. As consumers, we want the latest and greatest features in our handsets. If Apple were required to update their older devices we, as customers, would see limited upgrades to keep older hardware going. I don’t support dropping features in software when the hardware can support it, like MMS on the original iPhone and multitasking on the iPhone 3G, but I do understand why Apple will no longer support aging hardware. If you want the latest software, then upgrade to a newer handset. Otherwise, enjoy the features you do have or jailbreak to unlock the pirate inside.