Every iOS update slows it down more and more and makes apps crash more as they run out of RAM and developers have only tested it with the latest device.

You pointedly didn't respond to the post:

>> I have a first generation iPad and it does more things than the first day it was purchased.

That's certainly true of mine, crashing 3rd-party apps notwithstanding.

The original iPad was very much sold on the promise of upcoming third-party apps. If it didn't have the potential of apps, I would definitely not have bought it, just how I didn't buy the original iPhone.

And it has had upcoming third-party apps for 2+ years since you bought it. I'm not seeing the problem.

If your issue is "developers have only tested it with the latest device", that's not an issue Apple can correct.

This is simply not true.

I agree

That has not been my experience.

I also use a 1st gen iPad.