Apple Turns Back on Windows XP for iCloud

By Marcus Yam
published

Time to upgrade?

Believe it or not, Apple currently has better and longer operating system support for Windows than it does for Mac OS X.

While Apple's current software will only work on its operating systems from the last four years, MobileMe and iTunes still work on Windows XP from the previous decade.

Of course, that's probably all because Windows XP is still the most popular operating system in the world. TUAW has spotted clear evidence that Apple is drawing a line with its upcoming iCloud service.

In Apple's press materials for iCloud, it states: "Using iCloud with a PC requires Windows Vista or Windows 7; Outlook 2010 or 2007 is recommended for accessing contacts and calendars."

Apple did not specify what, if any, technical reasons prevent iCloud from working with Windows XP. It could all be down to Apple not wanting to devote additional software engineering resources to the older operating system, but it is strange that Apple would risk alienating a large portion of its iPhone and iPad customers.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
48 Comments Comment from the forums
  • mister g
    Maybe Apple just doesn't like supporting any old stuff. However I could think of several double standards if that were true.
    Reply
  • STravis
    I'm guessing they know - much like everyone else out there - that XP is way too far behind the curve as far as security goes.
    Reply
  • Ragnar-Kon
    Not surprised. Microsoft itself doesn't even really want to support Windows XP anymore (as evident in not bringing IE 9 to XP). So why support an OS that 1) Is not even your OS, and 2) is an OS that not even Microsoft truly supports.

    So, this time at least, Apple is being reasonable.

    Maybe, just maybe, if Microsoft offered a Windows 7 upgrade for $30, like Apple will be offering their Mac OX X 10.7 upgrade for $30, Microsoft wouldn't have to worry about supporting Windows XP anymore at all.
    But unfortunately(?) Windows XP still dominates the business/enterprise world, and they are significantly slower at upgrading than the common consumer. Hell, even the White House still runs Windows XP.
    Reply
  • philologos
    I almost give a s*it, but I don't.
    Reply
  • saood06
    Ragnar-KonNot surprised. Microsoft itself doesn't even really want to support Windows XP anymore (as evident in not bringing IE 9 to XP). So why support an OS that 1) Is not even your OS, and 2) is an OS that not even Microsoft truly supports.So, this time at least, Apple is being reasonable.Maybe, just maybe, if Microsoft offered a Windows 7 upgrade for $30, like Apple will be offering their Mac OX X 10.7 upgrade for $30, Microsoft wouldn't have to worry about supporting Windows XP anymore at all.But unfortunately(?) Windows XP still dominates the business/enterprise world, and they are significantly slower at upgrading than the common consumer. Hell, even the White House still runs Windows XP.they do have a 30 dollars windows 7 pro upgrade but its only for students im still using xp no reason to upgrade till i get my new comp
    Reply
  • alidan
    Ragnar-KonNot surprised. Microsoft itself doesn't even really want to support Windows XP anymore (as evident in not bringing IE 9 to XP). So why support an OS that 1) Is not even your OS, and 2) is an OS that not even Microsoft truly supports.So, this time at least, Apple is being reasonable.Maybe, just maybe, if Microsoft offered a Windows 7 upgrade for $30, like Apple will be offering their Mac OX X 10.7 upgrade for $30, Microsoft wouldn't have to worry about supporting Windows XP anymore at all.But unfortunately(?) Windows XP still dominates the business/enterprise world, and they are significantly slower at upgrading than the common consumer. Hell, even the White House still runs Windows XP.
    i got windows 7 for 30$, i hate it. but its not my computer, and i can put xp on my own, so all good.

    i go into why i hate 7 every time i say it, and apparently no one understands why i hate every aspect of 7's ui... apparently im alone on that.

    Reply
  • apache_lives
    alidani got windows 7 for 30$, i hate it. but its not my computer, and i can put xp on my own, so all good. i go into why i hate 7 every time i say it, and apparently no one understands why i hate every aspect of 7's ui... apparently im alone on that.
    i hate xp with a passion its so ancient and no matter how much hardware you give it it never improves performance, sticks at the same spots for no reason, looks boring and the things i *NEED* it *CANNOT* do

    hows about using 7 for more then 5 minutes on a NEW computer not something from 2002

    i would even take Vista over XP there really wasnt anything wrong with it, its nearly the same as 7 afterall (internally)...
    Reply
  • envolva
    Windows XP users can still use iTunes, and benefit from iCloud while on iPhone, iPod, and iPad. It's not a deal breaker.
    Reply
  • neblix
    It's time for people to move on. XP has long outlived its life expectancy.
    Reply
  • zoemayne
    Ragnar-KonNot surprised. Microsoft itself doesn't even really want to support Windows XP anymore (as evident in not bringing IE 9 to XP). So why support an OS that 1) Is not even your OS, and 2) is an OS that not even Microsoft truly supports.So, this time at least, Apple is being reasonable.Maybe, just maybe, if Microsoft offered a Windows 7 upgrade for $30, like Apple will be offering their Mac OX X 10.7 upgrade for $30, Microsoft wouldn't have to worry about supporting Windows XP anymore at all.But unfortunately(?) Windows XP still dominates the business/enterprise world, and they are significantly slower at upgrading than the common consumer. Hell, even the White House still runs Windows XP.I have about 2 legit copies of windows Vista and 2 legit Copies of Windows 7. I still have XP on one of my older machines not because of cost because of compatibility. Its and old $5000 pentium 4 laptop and it can only take one gig of ram. And only linux runs better than XP w 1 gig.
    Reply