Killed by Apple

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

A new “Killed by Apple” website cataloguing discontinued Apple products is prompting debate over whether the company genuinely kills things or mostly retires aging hardware and rolls features into newer apps and services. Many argue Apple’s track record compares favorably to Google’s, citing long hardware support and gentle migrations (e.g., iTunes to Music, Find My Friends to Find My), while others point to examples like Aperture, Dark Sky, small-form-factor iPhones, and rapid OS deprecation as evidence that valuable products and user freedoms do get cut. The exchange also surfaces broader tensions around proprietary ecosystems, device longevity, and how much control tech companies retain over hardware users have already paid for.

Scope and Quality of the List

  • Many feel the list conflates “killed” with “old” or “superseded,” especially for hardware generations and renamed apps.
  • Several entries are seen as misleading: e.g., HomePod gen 1, iPhone SE 2/3, Apple Watch Series 0, Lightning connector, and SuperDrive, which are either still supported, replaced, or naturally obsolete.
  • Some note the content looks LLM-assembled and under-edited, with odd inclusions like Lightning, Clips, and Apple TV Remote (now in Control Center).

“Killed” vs. Naturally Obsolete or Renamed

  • Multiple comments argue most “kills” are:
    • Old hardware replaced by newer models (iPod, Mac Pro, DVD drives, floppy support).
    • Features rolled into other apps: iTunes → Music, iPhoto → Photos, Find My Friends → Find My, Dashboard → desktop widgets, etc.
  • Others insist that when software is discontinued without a full replacement (e.g., Aperture, Dark Sky, iTunes U), that is a genuine kill.

Apple vs. Google Product Sunsetting

  • Consensus: Google is far more capricious; its “killed” services hurt users more (especially messaging and Reader-like products).
  • The Apple list feels “laughably small” for a company its size and often reflects consolidation, not abandonment.

Support Lifespans and Old Hardware

  • Some praise Apple for long support (e.g., DVD drives sold until 2024, 20-year-old iPods still syncable via adapters, ongoing HomePod gen 1 updates).
  • Others argue Apple mentally “writes off” older devices, with OS and third‑party software (including Homebrew) dropping support and no official path for user-managed updates.
  • Several propose the site should show support lifespan instead of just sales dates.

Specific Products People Miss (or Don’t)

  • Frequently missed:
    • Aperture and its capabilities vs. Photos.
    • Dark Sky’s unique weather experience.
    • iTunes U’s high‑quality free courseware.
    • Small form‑factor iPhones (SE, 13 mini) and Touch ID/home button.
    • AirPort routers, Time Capsule, XServe, WebObjects, Dashcode, iPod touch.
  • Glad to see gone: Touch Bar, Lightning connector (for some), and some niche hardware/ports like FireWire.

Ecosystem Control, Ownership, and Standards

  • Divided views:
    • Some see “killing” ports (floppy, optical drives, FireWire, Lightning) as healthy progress toward USB‑C and fewer custom connectors.
    • Others criticize Apple’s walled garden, lack of user control/right-to-repair, and eventual forced obsolescence.
  • Debate over Mac Pro’s effective “death,” lack of eGPU and Vulkan/OpenGL support, and future removal of Rosetta 2, with some seeing this as Apple prioritizing vertical integration over compatibility.

Messaging Quality and RCS/iMessage Debate

  • One thread notes that low MMS/SMS size caps are carrier-imposed, not Apple’s fault.
  • Counterargument: Apple dragged its feet on RCS and intentionally kept iMessage exclusive to sustain iPhone lock‑in; regulators have criticized this.

Reactions to the Site Itself

  • Mixed reception:
    • Some enjoy it as a fun, low-stakes visualization (a riff on killedbygoogle.com).
    • Others dismiss it as “vibeslop,” clickbait, or “content from nobody for nobody,” lacking rigor and nuance.