From your own examples: - original iPhone supported for less than 3 years - 3GS ...

masklinn · on Sept 13, 2011

> original iPhone supported for less than 3 years

The original iPhone got all updates released for 3 years from its release date.

> 3GS supported for ~2 years

So far, as far as I know iOS 5 runs on 3GS. The 3G is the only one which got a slightly reduced support life so far (no iOS 4.3, for pretty obvious — to 3G owners — hardware-related reasons)

shinratdr · on Sept 14, 2011

> As much as one likes Apple, this is not something that I would call "long term support".

Then you've never owned a smartphone before? If you can find a pre (or even post) iPhone smartphone that gets updates for 3 years+, I would love to see it.

num1 · on Sept 14, 2011

Saying that you're no worse than everybody else is not the same as saying you're worth applauding.

If you've only worked with phones, you might have an inflated view of what "Long Term" means. The servers here, for example, run for 5 years between reboots. http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/today/top.avg.html

shinratdr · on Sept 14, 2011

> Saying that you're no worse than everybody else is not the same as saying you're worth applauding.

I disagree. Apple is bringing smartphone software support out of it's "6 months then give up" cycle. I think that's worth applauding.

> If you've only worked with phones, you might have an inflated view of what "Long Term" means.

Right, I have a warped view of what long term support means because I'm comparing it to other consumer electronics instead of dedicated servers.

I'm sure if you are used to buying cars, seeing your phone's hardware warranty is pretty disappointing too. Expectations are a bitch.