“Apple this week added the second-generation Apple TV to its list of ‘vintage’ and ‘obsolete’ products, rendering it ineligible for repairs in most parts of the world,” Roger Fingas reports for AppleInsider.
“The only places where service and parts may still be available are in Turkey and California, where the ‘vintage’ label is in effect, according to an Apple support document,” Fingas reports. “Vintage devices are defined as being made over 5 but less than 7 years ago, and the category typically excludes products from support except where required by law.”
Fingas reports, “In the rest of the world the set-top has been declared ‘obsolete,’ which normally refers to products discontinued over 7 years ago.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Insert joke about how the current-gen non-4K Apple TV was obsolete the day it launched 15 months ago.
Farewell my friend. That was my first AppleTV. Worked well.
Me too, and it won’t be replace by the current ATV.
Soon all non iOS hardware will be obsolete, why because Apple doesn’t update them.
Just like Android. That’s why I got a iPhone. Now it looks like Apple will go in the same direction, all be it, in a slower progression.
I have a second generation and do not intend to upgrade. If it stops working for lack of software support, then so be it. Apple go to hell.
“ineligible for repairs”
Now that is funny! Has anyone ever attempted to repair an Apple TV?
For a fee if out of warranty, Apple’s “repair” service for an Apple TV or iPod (that is not considered “obsolete”) is to replace it with equivalent refurb unit. 🙂 Often, that fee makes it more practical for customer to buy a new one.
True, there may be some who would ask for an Apple refurb. But smart people would just get a much easier to use and more capable Roku.
Awaiting the day Apple Music is declared obsolete.
This “obsolete list” is about hardware repair service and support provided by Apple. Apple’s policy is to put products on this list five years after they are no longer being manufactured. No one at Apple is making a specific decision to put or not put products on this list (with some exceptions). After five years, that particular model considered “obsolete” for Apple hardware servicing. For the 2nd gen Apple TV, it was discontinued 03/07/2012 according to
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/apple-tv/specs/apple-tv-2nd-generation-black-specs.html
Software support is completely separate. Products can become not supported for the latest software updates before five years or after five years. There is no time-based date. For the 2nd gen Apple TV, it was no longer supported for software updates a long time before this announcement.
That is partially true, but when it comes to hardware there will be no other software upgrades when the device is deemed “obsolete.” otherwise Apple would still be supporting PowerPC.
Untrue. There are MANY Mac model already on the current “obsolete” list (for hardware servicing support) that are still supported by the latest release of macOS
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624
http://www.apple.com/macos/how-to-upgrade/
The primary reason for Apple no longer supporting a particular model of Mac or iOS device with the latest software release is performance of that Mac or iOS device.
If that were the case, then why is my four year old MBP not able to update to Yosemite? Because it is considered obsolete and has only security and App updates, but not OS. Same with my second generation Mini which has stopped updating, except for security updates. Even the Apps are obsolete.
Because you are mistaken… 🙂 Look at the link for “how to upgrade.” The hardware requirements for the LATEST macOS Sierra is “MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer).” Also, a four-year old MBP is NOT on the current obsolete list (because it hasn’t been five years since end of production). If you’re only getting security updates (and can’t even upgrade to Yosemite), you’re doing something wrong.
As I said, hardware servicing support ends at the five years after end of production (for given model), because Apple does not want to repair old gear forever. Software support is a completely separate matter, and it’s based on performance of hardware (ability to run the software).
I had Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 4.
The first Apple TV, a Mac Mini, was a very capable unit. It could be upgraded, if you take the time to open it up. Alas even that has outlived its usefulness. The Gen 2 crashes all the time. Can’t make it through a stream without it restarting. It’s perhaps my least favorite of the line.
Side note, i added a Broadcom decoder module to the ATVg1 that replaced the Wi-Fi, but added 1080P. That was fun.
Apple should call their whole tv effort obsolete!