[Question: What does everybody think Apple would have done had the recent security scare extended back to Snowy? Would they have just laughed at close to 20% of their user-base or seen a need for accommodation?
I think Apple would have stuck with their release schedule, which if I understand correctly has moved from an 18 month schedule to a 12 month schedule, and their drop support schedule which pushed Snowy off the end of the queue. Otherwise support costs directly increase tremendously and the development costs increase proportionately as well. Remember too that Apple makes their money selling hardware; Macs, iPhones, and iPads. OS X and iOS are merely the means to an end and not the end in itself. If dropping support for Snowy encourages 20% of Apple's user base to upgrade their hardware then it is a prudent business decision in line with most of the last thirty years of Apple business practice and acumen.
