Just ahead of this year’s WWDC event, links for a new iOS 6 build appeared online for a bunch of Apple products. Strangely enough, the latest beta version omitted the first-generation iPad or previous iPod touch models, although there was a link for the iPhone 3GS. All of the download links which used to be available earlier are now expired and don’t function.
The iPhone 3GS features an older and slower chipset than the third-gen iPod touch. The key difference between the two devices is availability – Apple still produces and offers the iPhone 3GS free of charge with a two-year contract.
For its part, the original iPad boasts a faster processor than Apple’s media player of third generation with the same amount of application RAM. Given the specifications of the devices as compared to the iPhone 3GS, there is apparently no hardware-specific explanation for the lack of support for the original iPad or third-gen iPod touch. Although Apple may possibly restore support for the otherwise compatible products in a future build, there is a small chance the company will do so as neither of the two devices is still available.
A previous iOS 6 beta version allegedly offered some details of the sixth-generation iPhone’s hardware. Apple is expected to announce the new mobile operating system at the imminent developer conference. According to multiple reports, iOS 6 will borrow some functionality from OS X Mountain Lion, specifically Safari iCloud tabs, Mail VIPs the “Do Not Disturb” option within Notification Center.
