Apple is offering up the “last compatible version” of apps to iPhone, iPod and iPad users still rocking older iOS releases.
A Reddit user pointed it out after trying to install Instagram on a second-generation iPod Touch and posted a screenshot of the prompt.
Tomorrow marks the release of iOS 7, possibly the biggest overhaul to Apple’s mobile OS yet. But the update won’t be coming to the iPhone 3GS or some older iPods and iPads. So Apple extending the compatibility offer to older devices running older iOS versions represents a bit of kindness to Apple customers clinging to the good old days.
As TechCrunch noted, it could also be a sign of reassurance for developers who are feeling rushed to remodel their iOS apps for the Technicolor future promised by iOS 7. And the same goes for users who are gun shy about making the iOS 7 jump.