As a user, there are two issues I could face from this type of culling. First, I keep older devices—maybe just for RSS or news apps or podcasts or in-car music or video players. Relatively simple, straightforward uses. If I have additional uses in mind, apps won't be available. Similarly, the same would be true for someone who wants to let a child use an older device for something like games.

The other issue is the number of iOS hiccups which can lead to support documents saying to reinstall the OS. Doing that will make older, removed apps unavailable after reinstallation of the OS if the user relies on iCloud backups. This risk necessitates iTunes backups to insure such apps remain available after reinstalling the OS.

I doubt a situation like this contradicts the overall value of the culling. But I do know it has an effect on me and there are some people—certainly, a small number—who will lose apps because of the shortcomings in iCloud backups.