content: Apple really doesn't give a shit about backwards compatibility and has almost gone to considerable trouble to kill product lines it is no longer fond of.  It has done this since its beginning and presumably will continue to do so as it sees fit.  Unlike the Intel architecture, they tend to appeal more to certain markets that care more about the "experience" than almost anything else.  In fact, their current business plan depends on them selling devices to the same people on a regular basis (relatively short-term, no less).  I think most people take the explanation for the iPhone slowdown patch as being bullshit, so it shows that they may even be willing to cripple existing devices to "encourage" people to buy their newest crap. Remember, this is the company that is actively attempting to kill the old headphone standard that has been around for decades and  is massively reliable and cross-compatible in favor of expensive, DRM laden headphones with little improvement other than improving profit margins and giving control of media to the companies, because "courage."  That is literally their explanation.