Apple does not support devices older than 24 months. It has always been this way. I say this because we've seen this pattern with older iPhones and iPod Touches losing features and functionality since the very beginning.
For example, I was very disappointed when Apple made changes to iOS 2 so that the original iPod Touch couldn't change it's volume. The newer iPhones and iPod's had hardware volume controls so iOS removed the easy volume adjustments from the software. The iTunes app could still adjust volume and that must've been good enough, because I didn't see many people complaining.
The customer experience matters a lot to Apple, and they are awesome at it. However, I agree with that article and I would love if they started also maintaining the experience of their older existing customers.
For example, I was very disappointed when Apple made changes to iOS 2 so that the original iPod Touch couldn't change it's volume. The newer iPhones and iPod's had hardware volume controls so iOS removed the easy volume adjustments from the software. The iTunes app could still adjust volume and that must've been good enough, because I didn't see many people complaining.
The customer experience matters a lot to Apple, and they are awesome at it. However, I agree with that article and I would love if they started also maintaining the experience of their older existing customers.