Apple to offer older versions of apps for matured iDevices

If you’re currently not up to date with or simply aren’t willing to get an iOS 7 upgrade today, don’t despair. Apple now lets users download current apps that would be compatible with older devices so you can now dust-off your old iPhone 3GS and download Instagram 4.3.2 and the likes.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said that iOS 7 is “the biggest change to iOS since the introduction of the iPhone.” While we are all very excited about Apple’s new OS, it’s still only available for iPhone 4, iPad 2, iPad Mini and iPod touch fifth gen and later models.

Apple lets you choose to download compatible versions to fit older devices. For example, a Reddit user who first made this public tried installing Instagram on his 2nd generation iPod Touch and was prompted with a message asking if he’d like the last compatible version of the app:

This move seems to be an effort to keep developers at bay with older versions. It would keep an already established market of older hardware Apple users intact. In other words, Apple fans who are unable or unwilling to upgrade their Apple device will still have software support.

Some of the notable changes with iOS 7 is said to be the elimination of skeuomorphism which some users might not prefer. If you’re one of those who are a fan of linen-textured backgrounds and wooden bookshelves, then iOS 7 isn’t for you.

This is a smart move as Apple indicated earlier this year, there are more than 500-million Apple devices roaming our globe with roughly 50 million apps downloaded from iTunes since 2008. Keeping this market relevant and happy is understandably, important.

Image via Imgur