And, being the firmware source closed, you trust, without any means to verify it, when someone with an interest in this matter tells you, that, despite the nearly identical specs (same amount of memory, same processor), revision 1 can't run the software that revision 1a can. The only difference between a rev1 iPhone and a 3G iPhone is the cell radio. The application processor is exactly the same.
If you really believe there is a solid technical reason for it, I have a nice bridge to sell you.
And, being the firmware source closed, you trust, without any means to verify it, when someone with an interest in this matter tells you, that, despite the nearly identical specs (same amount of memory, same processor), revision 1 can't run the software that revision 1a can.
Given no evidence to support the contrary position, yes I find that plausible.
The only difference between a rev1 iPhone and a 3G iPhone is the cell radio.
And the GPS. And the compass. And the looks. And the standby battery life. And the requirement for a newer version of iTunes.[1] And the iPhone 2G came in a 4Gb version.
1) Just because the CPU is the same, doesn't mean the internals are the same through and through.
2) Just because the hardware appears identical at a component level does not mean there are no technical limitations. There could be arbitrary design limits in what they can upgrade (e.g. baseband firmware) or what they can reliably upgrade remotely.
"The appearance of the iPhone 3G is almost identical to that of the 2G model. However, its inside, including the parts layout, is totally different. We could see that assembly workability was improved and some measures were taken to reduce the mounting area as well as parts costs."
- http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090114/164030...
What's that? In the two years between the iPhone and the iPhone 3G they redesigned the insides? But but but if I believe the pictures I'm just buying into Apple's lies. This must be a fake!
Some of the components are different part numbers or made by different companies entirely?
OK OK so they may have spent a year or so redesigning, made changes, layout changes, component changes, but they DIDN'T CHANGE THE CPU so IT MUST BE IDENTICAL because if it wasn't they wouldn't be able to run iOS 4 on it and they ... erm ... can because I say so.
They are different phones with different features designed at different times with different internal layouts and different components. We have the fact that they didn't release iOS 4 for it, and we have the official company words that they aren't supporting all features on iPhone 3G because the hardware isn't up to providing the multitasking experience they want to give, and that they aren't supporting iPod touch 1G because the hardware just isn't up to it.
If you want to claim the 2G is up to it, then the burden of proof is on you to offer some more compelling evidence than shrill cries of 'pure greed', assertions that the hardware is identical when it isn't, and personal insults calling people gullible.
Myself, I've worked with computers and software long enough to know that an arbitrary reason stopping me from doing something which seems possible at a glance is very common.
If you really believe there is a solid technical reason for it, I have a nice bridge to sell you.