Not very elegant Sonos and Apple

But there is no physical reason an iPad 1 can't run a sonos controller of any generation and it can't be beyond the wit of sonos's developers, just not profitable.

But there is no physical reason an iPad 1 can't run a sonos controller of any generation and it can't be beyond the wit of sonos's developers, just not profitable.

How often do we have to repeat this? It is an iOS API thing. If a developer wants to use the "latest and greatest" on iOS, in this case new frameworks, (s)he has to cut compatibility somwhere.

Have a look at https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/Miscellaneous/Conceptual/iPhoneOSTechOverview/iPhoneOSFrameworks/iPhoneOSFrameworks.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40007898-CH6-SW3 where you have a complete (?) list of frameworks and with which iOS version they became available.

In the case of the new Sonos app, one could assume that:

MediaToolbox.framework, iOS 6.0, MT, Contains interfaces for playing audio content

could be the framework that made it necessary to cut off iOS 5.1.X (on iPad 1).

How often do we have to repeat this? It is an iOS API thing. If a developer wants to use the "latest and greatest" on iOS, in this case new frameworks, (s)he has to cut compatibility somwhere.

Have a look at https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/Miscellaneous/Conceptual/iPhoneOSTechOverview/iPhoneOSFrameworks/iPhoneOSFrameworks.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40007898-CH6-SW3 where you have a complete (?) list of frameworks and with which iOS version they became available.

In the case of the new Sonos app, one could assume that:

could be the framework that made it necessary to cut off iOS 5.1.X (on iPad 1).

So it's physically impossible then ? none can ever develop a new app for an iPad 1 then ?

When it comes down to it, a controller for a wifi music system is not exactly cutting edge software. I can fit the program to control a nuclear reactor in to 0.5mb on a 286 and support it 25 years later, I'm sure an iPad 1 is not stretched by controlling a few speakers.

i can only see this as a choice not to develop a compatible app under the older ios

Exactly - fit for purpose! I've evolved my strategy a bit: store refurb current model OS X devices. Every other year shop new IOS devices except the iPads. TBH a MBA11 for me smotes any tablet. I am slowing down a bit waiting for the 4k situation to resolve itself.

For Apple devices, a rapid turnover works very well, the prices you can get after e.g. one year on eBay or other sites are great! I tend to sell my old stuff and buy new devices as soon as they come out. That works great for iPhones, iPads, even Macs.

"store refurb" might not be a possibility for everyone. But even if eBay is too much work for some, there are several websites/services which buy old devices without more work than sending it away.

IT develops so quickly and my Apple devices are by far the ones I use most. That is why I always like to have the last generation. I have an iPad Air right now, but in the next days an Air 2 will be bought nevertheless and the Air will be sold (for a good price).

Sorry to clarify online store refurb; AFAIK Canada, US, UK, Australia offer this, unsure of Europe.

True on the velocity. It used to be so easy keeping it all aligned but now the collisions heck and collusions are laughable.

Back to the tunes & Sunday chores!

"store refurb" might not be a possibility for everyone. But even if eBay is too much work for some, there are several websites/services which buy old devices without more work than sending it away.

I'm not an iOS developer, but it is my understanding that there are certain rules when submitting programs for sale on the App Store. One must use the later frameworks, and unless one is VERY careful, your program will use features not supported on the older iDevices. Certainly, one could make an effort to avoid the non compatible features, but one will then be severely criticized by the public for not supporting the latest features of the user interface. Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't.

I purchase desktops on a long cycle, approximately ten years. On the latest cycle, the old machine was requiring 10-20-30 seconds to render a typical graphics intensive page. The machine works as well as ever, but it simply does not have the resources to run modern operating systems or applications. The replacement machine is "blink", done. As was mentioned in a prior post, the iPad Air 2 is significantly faster than an iPad Air which is significantly faster than older iPads. I use some Apps that are "liquid" on the iPad Air 2, but a little "jerky" on the earlier iPads. I must be careful about my use of processor intensive App features or the user experience will suffer. In this case it is not so much the case of working or not, but a satisfying user experience or not.

In this case it is not so much the case of working or not, but a satisfying user experience or not.

Perfectly phrased. To be fair: the iPad 1 - even if only browsing web sites - is NOT AT ALL fun or "satisfying" anymore (for quite some time). That alone should be reason enough for an update. There is much good stuff: lightning fast performance, Retina display, smaller, lighter, more features (because of newer OS versions and newer/more powerful apps), LTE and so much more.

There is a third party sonos app on the play store that works with the iPad 1 and sonos, not got it myself but it has been recommended on this forum. Have a search !
Folks speak highly of SonoPad, as a third party alternative supporting iOS5.1.1+.

Search the forums.

Just bought and installed SonoPAD. Brilliant app en compatible with iPad 1 iOS5. Thanks for this solution.

I really wonder why Sonos gave up support for the older iPads.

Just bought and installed SonoPAD. Brilliant app en compatible with iPad 1 iOS5. Thanks for this solution.

I really wonder why Sonos gave up support for the older iPads.

Be curious to know if it provides all the features the official app does.