The ax falls: starting next month, Zoom will no longer work on iOS 11 and 12 devices. This decision, announced by the company in its latest release notes , sounds the death knell for millions of people. But what does this abandonment mean in concrete terms? What alternatives are available to affected users? And what lessons can we learn from this planned obsolescence?
An uncertain future for users of older versions of iOS
This is a real cold shower for iPhone and iPad users who have not yet updated to iOS 13. Starting next March, they will no longer be able to use the Zoom application to make video calls, participate in meetings or webinars. This decision impacts a significant number of users, as iOS 11 and 12 were still used by 17% of iOS devices in December 2023.
Zoom justifies its decision by the need to maintain the security and performance of its application. This is because older versions of iOS do not support the latest security and encryption technologies, making them vulnerable to attacks and hacks. Additionally, new Zoom features are not compatible with outdated architectures of older devices.
What alternatives for impacted users?
There are two solutions available to users of older versions of iOS:
- Update their device to iOS 13 or later. This is the simplest and most recommended solution, as it will allow you to take advantage of all the features of Zoom and guarantee the security of communications. However, this option is not always possible, as some devices are not compatible with the latest versions of iOS.
- Use an alternative to Zoom. Many videoconferencing applications exist on the market, such as Google Meet , Microsoft Teams, Skype or Jitsi Meet. These apps can be used on older devices and offer similar functionality to Zoom.
Planned obsolescence: a hot topic
Zoom's decision to no longer support older versions of iOS raises the question of planned obsolescence. This practice, which consists of limiting the lifespan of a product by making it obsolete, is increasingly criticized by consumers and environmental defense associations.
In conclusion, the abandonment of certain versions of iOS by Zoom is an important event that will have consequences for millions of users. This decision highlights the practice of planned obsolescence and raises ethical and environmental questions. It is important that users are aware of these issues and make informed choices when purchasing new electronic devices.
Further information :
- Link to Zoom support page: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0061734
- List of alternatives to Zoom: https://www.techradar.com/best/zoom-alternatives
