Apple Drops AirPrint Compatibility for Second-Generation iPod Touch

100446 airprint info

As noted by 9 to 5 Mac, Apple appears to have dropped support for AirPrint in iOS 4.2 on the second-generation iPod touch. When Apple initially announced the feature on September 15th, the second-generation iPod touch was listed as a compatible device for the service, but as soon as two days later the press release had been modified to note support for only the third- and fourth-generation iPod touch.

- Original text: "AirPrint will work with iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (second generation and later)."

- Revised text: "AirPrint will work with iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (third generation and later)."

The second-generation iPod touch and iPhone 3G have always been on the edge of compatibility with iOS 4, with Apple making some features unavailable on one or both devices as it seeks to maintain acceptable performance within the devices' hardware limitations. This also does not mark the first time that Apple has shifted device compatibility mid-stream, as Game Center support was dropped at one point for both the iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod touch, only to be restored for the second-generation iPod touch (but not the iPhone 3G) for the public launch of iOS 4.1.

Related Forum: iPod touch and iPod