Killed by Apple

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

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  • Many feel the list conflates “killed” with “old” or “superseded,” especially for hardware generations and renamed apps.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.