Unsurprisingly, the iPad mini will have access to Siri, Apple’s voice assistant software. The iPad 2, however, still will not.

Apple’s excuse for excluding older devices from new software features usually leans on a loose explanation of the device’s hardware not being up-to-snuff, but the iPad mini has virtually the same hardware as the iPad 2 in terms of processing speed. It’s also less expensive to produce, and sold at a lower price.

This pretty much exposes Apple’s well-known “planned obsolescence” tactic, which has worked for years in getting Apple users to buy a new iThing every year. It is odd to see it displayed so carelessly, however. The iPod touch, which also sports the iPad 2′s A5 chip, has Siri as well.

I don’t see why Apple didn’t just scrap the iPad 2. Apple now has its budget model, and the iPad 2 only causes confusion and clutter in the iPad lineup. I had an iPad 2, and I’m glad I sold it when I could get $475 for it.

What do you guys think about this? Should the iPad 2 have Siri, or is Apple justified in denying it once again?

Via: AppleInsider