Apple always goes for "Simple" and "Just works".

Not everyone has access to such luxury features. I can't restore/upload my favorite apps on my iPad from my older iPad because I need iTunes 10.7

What makes this difficult for me is the fact that I don't have internet at my home and rely on AT&T data card.

So either suck up the apps download and do everything manually but not have photos/music. Or suck up data on the air card so update their stupid software. For such a quality company they sure do have some stupid setups....

No they are not responsible for my internet "problems". And FYI, I don't have internet "problems". Not everyone has cable internet, dsl or even dial up.
But if you want to defend the fact their products are too secure and it's my problem, then post away.

I find it hard to understand how my iPhone can function just fine but this mini needs the latest and greatest to function and do the same tasks as before. I'm not a smart guy, but I'm willing to bet that Apple is forcing an upgrade to their newest software with the mini because...well it's a new product and how much easier could it be than to force a software upgrade to use your new device.

I don't even want to get into how bad their iPhoto software is lol what a pain in the neck.. iTunes wants me to upload entire albums/folders vs selecting select photos, which makes it a pain.

I have wifi at work. So guess I'll just have to wait.

Though Apple does this with all their software, and has for over a decade, it can still be irritating at times.

Apple has never spent a great deal of time and energy supporting old releases. They add features to current software and build interactions between systems using these features.

It's simply standard practice or them. They move forward and really spend very little time in the past.

If you want something that will likely be backward compatible with everything the company ever makes, by the Surface tablet. It will probably still run DOS...

Your complaining about what exactly? You can;t get with the times and are unable to update itunes? who in this time can't update software? All software needs to be upgraded at some point and time get with the times. and if you don't like the software A)Don't use it and B) Don't buy apple products.