GeorgeKaplan

US said:

Apple should test on all Apple items that may be downloding updates by customers. Then have a message that it will not work on certain models. Or a message stating you must download the update a specific way for it to work. I think sending updates out without these messages is irresponsible and should make Apple liable for customer Apple hardware failures. Just my view as a long time Apple customer.

Of course, it does. The download info included a list of iPods, iPads and iPhones which were deemed compatible. The 2nd-gen iPad was on that list. 

What is clear is that very few people chime in on sites like this to report success with updates. Most of the posts relate to failures, but it is risky to try to extrapolate the experience of all iPad owners just from the comments in a place like this. If it is 5% of 2nd-gen iPad owners who experience difficulty, it sucks to be in the 5% but it also obscures the 95% who had no problems. 

With my iPhone 6S and iPad Air, I had no qualms about doing an OTA update. With my 1st-gen iPad mini, I did full iTunes backup, wipe and restore. For me, that's the only smart way to do it. I wouldn't assume a device so relatively old would respond easily to any iOS 9 iteration. 

techprod1gy said:

Let's first thank Apple for even supporting older generation devices.  It is very difficult and not the $$$ thing to do for a corporation.  It would be easier to remove legacy devices.  Sounds like there is a certain group of devices that are impacted.  It still could be related to early updating.  In any event make sure you back up your device.  If you are on older equipment I would recommend the wired iTunes clean update method described earlier.  It sucks to be part of the group that is having problems but it happens from time to time especially when you have so many devices to consider.  Good luck to those who are navigating the issues!

And thank God you're not dealing with an Android device, where updates come months late, if at all. Wife insists on Android, so I make sure she has a Nexus and will receive timely updates and patches.

Folks with Samsung, LG, HTC and others are at the mercy of both the hardware manufacturer and the carrier if they expect to receive an update or patch.  That's a big reason why Android OS adoption is so fragmented among Jellybean through Marshmallow--many phone users are never provided an upgrade pathway.

It's easy to get caught in the boo-hoo of an iOS update gone wrong, but as stated above, it is remarkable so many iOS device owners are included in each advancement of iOS.