You're right, Xin. There's no way to know if it is an actual Evil Conspiracy. It could be that they either didn't have the time or resources to make it backward compatible. I would expect, though, that if it wouldn't actually sync, the computer could detect it in "disk mode" which it doesn't, which makes me wonder if this is deliberate. We have Nintendo Game Cube, Game Boy, DS, and Wii, and we are hugely appreciative of the seamless backward compatibility in those systems. It's a great example of doing it right. 

In answer to some others, I know that there is an attitude of entitlement on Apple's part regarding its users paying big bucks to upgrade to newer operating systems, and for some reason certain customers really buy into this. Personally, I don't agree. The cube, when it was purchased, came loaded with system 9 software, in spite of the fact that OS X Panther was out already. Why were they selling a computer with obsolete system software right off the shelf? Not to mention that OS 9 was a horrible OS and they should have given everyone who had it a free copy of OS X just to make up for inflicting OS 9 on them. I paid the money for Panther, but no I will not pay an Apple Tax every couple of years just so that I can have the latest system software. Eventually I will need a new computer, either because my current one died, or because the new technology really is too much for the old processor. How I've been treated by Apple will definitely influence my decision. If I expect that a new Apple is not only going to be more expensive, but is going to give me more headaches and cost me more money in terms of upgrades...well, the competition is starting to look a lot better. Once upon a time, I chose Apple because I saw it working easily and intuitively while my friends with PCs were struggling with unstable software, having to hack their own machines and spend hours on customer support to get them to work. Now, the situation seems to be reversed.

Catherine Shaffer

Wise Bread Contributor