Sue, that's been true for earliest ipads for a while- that older not supported.. I have an iPad first gen and its been unable to be updated for several years now, soon after I bought my 2016 model, but what you are reading from me, is done on the iPad One! I bought the One in fall 2010. Hardware still good. Charges easily. Battery does not hold as long, but my battery runs down quicker too these days! It still works but I only use it for a few minimal tasks.
My 2016 model ( a Pro iPad), works great and is up to date software wise. But it has a port issue, in that I have to get cord propped just right for it to charge. I will be replacing it with another IPad Pro soon. I won't go for a lesser model because they are limited in storage. My ipad one has 64 G storage. My IPad Pro has 256 G storage. My phone has 512 G. Because I take so many photos and want to swap between devices, I always go up in storage with each new device to be sure I can carry over all data plus have room for new. So the next iPad Pro will have minimum1 terabyte storage, because that is the next step up. The IPad Air, you bought, max is 256. The regular iPad max is 256. The mini iPad max is 256 G. Lower storage leaves you dependent on the cloud. I am glad the cloud is there, but don't want to be totally dependent on it. And I do love having all my photos organized on both iPad and phone and data match. Plus I back up to laptop and it's attached xternal storage device. Additionally, my next iPad pro will have its own cellular connection, and Verizon does that for only $10 a month for unlimited. I had cellular model with the One, but Mel just never wanted me to link it to a cellular account- he was a born cheapskate and fearful of having enough money to live on (hence he did everything he could to protect us, which left me in a very comfortable financial position, after his death- God bless him!)
In case you didn't know, the trending policy now, with pretty much every company, except apple, is 3 years (some go by 2) and item obsolete- parts no longer made or stocked and software updates expired. My 3 3/4 year old laptop by MSI, I can't order parts from MSI. It's obsolete! Same for many other items on market. Companies are streamlining and it isn't profitable to carry a deep parts inventory.
Have fun with the new iPad. I do love my iPad, which has at least 85% replaced my laptop. My new MSI laptop is due here in a few days. It likely will be my last regular laptop and when registered, MSI gives 2 extra years support. My only regret with first MSI is, I didn't use it a lot, or might have found its defect before warranty expired a few months ago! I'll not do that again as I plan to do more tasks on it for certain things.
Velda