Apple adds five apps to the iPod touch -- for a price
By Nilay Patel 
posted Jan 15th 2008 11:47AM
posted Jan 15th 2008 11:47AM
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I hate this shit 4$ for a freakin app. AND you dont even get to save the pages as an app or view lyrics. I still wonder though what was in the 1.93 mb upgrade
Personally speaking, I am outraged that Apple is charging early buyers of the iPod Touch $20 for a system update that ought to be free.
While I understand Apple’s decision to charge money for the new applications the new $20 “application pack” also includes a SYSTEM UPDATE in the form of the home page editing, web clips, and lyrics features. All of these are updates to the currently existing iPod Touch software and NOT new applications, which means that they ought to be free to all users of the iPod Touch.
Adding insult to injury these applications are all hidden in the 1.1.3 system update, a whopping 104.4mb file that all users must download if they want to fix bugs in the system. These applications can only be used when you pay Apple $20 to “unlock” them, but even if you decide not to buy them they stay on your iPod taking up precious space that could be used for songs, videos, or photos.
Apple is normally wonderful when it comes to providing system support and updates, but having them shaft early adopters and loyal fans like this is offensive and shows that Apple has absolutely no regard for the iPod Touch community.
You can leave Apple direct feedback here:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipodtouch.html
You can also sign this petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/.....ition.html
Whoops, the petition link got truncated.
Here's the correct address:
http://www.petitiononline.com/freeappi/petition.html
This is just like Archos and their nickel and diming to unlock downloads so you can use different codecs and browser.
Without them, you have limited functionality.
Wow thats some messed up sh*t.
I know! I actually want to un-digg this post. does anyone know how to break an iPod touch but not knacker the warranty, so I can buy a new one for free?
BTW if this happens again with the SDK i'm boycotting Apple stuff, except maybe the air (sorry but it's so nice!)
bullshit.. I hope they realize they fucked up and change their minds. $20 for a few apps they wrote for the iPhone already is such a rip off.
Leave Apple feedback regarding this fee at http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipodtouch.html .. maybe it'll help.
I take that back, I'm boycotting Apple now! The Air is a complete rip off, and it would not surprise me if an update is released for it in a few months, screwing the early adopters.
It's a no win situation with tech companies, either Sony with the PSP and are releasing free but useless updates, or Apple with good updates that cost £12.99 in the UK!!!
FAIL
Especially seeing as I was one of the people that is helping apple preordering there products and waiting a month for them to come. WTF. I alrady payed 400 for a "giant" 16gb ssd.
They pulled the same crap with one of the laptops awhile back, I cant remember what it was exactly but it was some wireless chip that was deactivated but they later charged money to have it be enabled and usable.
It backfired, just like this surely will. Idiots.
planned obsolescence and APPLE IS THE F***ING KING!!!!! ...take your 20 bucks and shove it!!!!
But they only charged like 1.99 to activate it so it wasn't like 20 or anything.
For once it's cheaper in Denmark. YEES!! £12 ;)
There's a petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/freeappi/petition.html
(I can see $10 apologetic coupons coming ;)
think different?
what $20
The $20 that I blew on an upgrade that
DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING
Never buying anything from iTunes again, I'm pissed.
Has this happened to anyone else???
it should be free
That is sooo rediculously weak... You have to pay for software updates?? Are we gonna have to pay for future updates to Leopard and Itunes too Uncle Stevie???
A certain ACDC songs comes to mind... what was that now.. oh yeah, JAILBREAK!!
Thanks Apple but I'll Keep my $20.
Given the number of basic feature updates opposed to actual NEW features that occur in a new version of Mac OS X, if you think about it you already are paying $100 for a simple update. Unlike that other OS that gives free major service pack updates.
Yes. When Steve decides that you need another service pack.
And the rich keeps getting richer...
This is fucking bullshit. The iPhone uses the same binaries, this should cost $0. This is worse than the $2 802.11n upgrade.
LAME.
you damn right. i am p*ssed!
Yeah this is crap. They could have included them from the beginning but stripped them out, now they want to charge me to add them back in. Stupid.
Thats a bit ridiculous. I could see $10, maybe. But in all fairness Apps like Mail and Notes should be free.
That is super sad apple. Quite a low blow to all those folk who helped bring popularity to the ipod touch...
This is a bit of a joke tbh! The fact that I'v went out a bought an ipod touch in september, we'r getting penilised for buying early, yet the people who have been reserved about the touch get this for free ?!? Apple, you may have just lost your way...(still want a macbook air though)
This reminds me of what Nintendo did, except it's the opposite. Nintendo offered a Beta version of the Opera browser on the Wii, and when the final version came out, the Beta versions upgraded for free, and the fresh installs cost like $5. Nintendo rewarded it's early adopters.
Apple.. LEARN!
My Itouch is Jailbroken with all of these Apps already installed. Apple for Hardware, Internet for software!
Just like dropping the price on the iPhone...Jobs is screwing his early adopters (his biggest supporters) yet again.
Yes, yet Microsoft gives their early adopters free games, and extended warranty(they kinda had to do this one), and and a free remote and people still ejaculate over Steve Jobs name.
The thing is Microsoft has pretty much become a "good" company, or at least they appreciate their customers more than the average corporate power and money hungry company.
Yeah I seem to recall Microsoft upgrading Zune 1.0's to Zune 2.0 firmware for free. And we're talking completely different hardware.
Microsoft has always stood behind their hardware even before extending the warranty on the 360 or updating the Zune. If you've ever owned a (retail) MS mouse or keyboard and it came down with a problem MS has always been very good about sending a new one right out. And even their older peripherals like routers and such get decent support.
IIRC, when MS made the decision to move into hardware they basically wanted to make sure their hardware reputation would go untainted. And while it would have been nice if they had made the 360 more reliable to begin with, at least they refunded for all repairs and took the warranty out to 3 years, which I honestly have never seen anybody else voluntarily do on a machine that likely costs them hundreds of dollars to replace.
Then again, pretty much only MS can afford such insane money-losing tactics to gain hardware marketshare ;)
That sucks. Apple suckers people into buying their mediocre products then they want them to pay to use their product to its fullest, yet mediocre, ability?
Up yours Jobs. Up yours.
FREE!! :(
it's like optional 5th gear... it's fucking there!
Bites...
I fully expect them to backtrack on this one. Shafting the early adopters is wrong. And if they don't backtrack, someone else will figure out how to get those apps out to everyone.
I agree that this is a sucky move, but if all that jazz about "not being able to include free updates" due to accounting rules is actually true, then it makes sense. They said that they are accounting for the iPhone over several quarters to allow for free updates. I bet the touch was never meant to be part of this equation, but since it's apparent that Apple now wants the touch to be a phoneless iPhone (perhaps due to market demand), they now need to charge for the update to comply with accounting rules. From now forward, I'm sure Apple will account for the touch over several quarters, just like with the iPhone.
They make money off iPhone service plans - so it makes sense to keep it free in that respect since they constantly are making money off iPhone users. Once you buy an iPod Touch, there's no room to generate more revenue.
Makes sense to me. If you bought an iPod Touch, you didn't HAVE to have the apps (and if you did, the iPhone was an option). It's new software, much like buying iLife upgrades for your Mac. $20 isn't that much for 5 apps.
please don't say you actually believed that bullsh^t. No other hardware company in the world does that.
I actually believe that bullshit. How much money can Apple be making from these little charges? A few million? That's not even a drop in the bucket for them. They can't seriously be pissing off ALL their customers for those crumbs. There has got to be a legitimate reason. I'm no accountant, but there's GOT to. Whatever you may think of these dick moves, the guys at Apple are smart cookies, and they wouldn't do this for no reason.
this is bull nonetheless. Even if they are not allowed to shift money (speaking very non-expert speak here^^) between the iphone and ipod line of business - which they would need to do by your explanation - they screwed themselves into that position by producing the ipod touch - a phoneless iphone - and calling it an ipod instead of creating a "OS X handheld" line or something which holds the ipod touch and the iphone. its the frickin same device, one just lacks the "phone" part. The software was developed for the line, not for the "specific" device.
"Yeah, we cut away the 802.11n ability on purpose and now you have to pay for that because.. uhm.. dunno. We screwed up our branching/branding decissions so uhm, yeah, that goes for suftwareupdates too. yes, that "you have to pay part" right."
I dont even own a touch and Im pissed..
I agree, it's a dumb move in retrospect, but it may well be what they have to do in order to comply with some esoteric accounting law. I'm sure Apple had no intention of making the touch and iPhone virtually the same product, just without the phone. It looks like the market demanded it, and they couldn't keep the artificial separation of the lines.
Ok... there are accounting rules...
So why then do AppleTV users get a free major overhaul, but touch users have to pay?
Eric:
Likely because Apple intended for the AppleTV to be accounted for over several quarters (I think they actually announced that when the ATV was introduced). So they can add features for no cost. Which lends even more weight to my argument, as why would Apple do this unless they HAD to? Clearly they are OK with adding free features (ATV and iPhone), so I'm sure they would do it if they were legally allowed to.
I was going to restore my jailbreaked ipod touch for this until I heard the $20 price. Thats fucking bullshit
Oh no but I could walk into a store today and get a new one with the new features and pay the same damn price. I think its time to have my ipod touch have fatal error since its still under warranty.
to late for me... as soon as i heard i had restored it.....
i cant be bothered jailbraking it again.
BUT
It easy for apple to just refund us on itunes... so im going to buy the update hopeing that apple will realise their bad mistake and give me my AU$25 back
Will I pay? Absolutely and as quickly as possible. Will I be happy about it? Not especially. I'll be a bit more careful from now on. But the iPod Touch I paid for didn't have these apps, so it's not like I'm being completely screwed.
Jailbreak your iPod touch and get them for free...
I'd rather just stay legit. Although if the SDK comes out with a myriad of restrictions, I'll Jailbreak in a heartbeat. Last time I tried, though, I wasn't all that impressed.
That said, I bought the upgrade...it doesn't even download anything new. It just unlocks use of the apps that are already part of the 1.1.3 file. Someone will figure out how to do it free from their update easily.
Reminds me of that old Quake demo disc that had the full versions of every ID Software game at the time. Someone cracked that and lost them a good chunk of change.
Actually, let me clarify a little more. The applications are clearly loaded onto the iPod Touch BEFORE THE UPDATE IS PURCHASED. When the update is bought, there is no download or installation of software onto the iPod. It's a simple unlock, which means the applications actually take up space on the device whether you unlock them or not.
That just doesn't sit well with me.
Does anybody know if you would buy this in the iTunes store? Because I got a $25 gift card for christmas I would use to buy this.. I might shell out cash but if I could just use the gift card it would be nice.. Any ideas?
looks like its thru the store...
wow, really low of them, iphone users get new features that where not present on the 1.1.2 firmware free of charge, itouch users get new features that where not present on the 1.1.2 firmware.. 20$, in my opinion tho this is a low blow, i think apple is doing a early test drive off selling apps on the iphone and touch threw itunes, itouch users being lab rats on it because steve already made the mistake of pissing of iphone users. plus really disappointed about the iphone 1.1.3 firmware, noting useful that i would like to give up 3rd party apps, video recording... please i dont have any friends... i dont need multipal sms sending
Am I wrong to assume this will be free for the "I just bought this 30/14 days ago" Rule?
These apps should be free and should have been added to the touch when it first shipped.
Don't shaft the early adopters Steve, this is bullshit.
It;s really fucking lame that Apple can get away with so much of its bullshit. If this was MS, there would have been virtual lynch mobs out there on the net.
Anyway, I was holding off on the jailbreak. I guess its time to finally do it to my ipod touch. And oh yeah, after I write a stinker to Apple.
Wouldnt matter. MS would never do that. They release all smaller updates for free, as well as their powertoys. Unlike Apple, they dont thing we should have to pay for every single little piece of software.
What I call BS on is the fact that I have a $400 iPod Touch, but the people who bought the ATV get a free upgrade to let it do loads of new stuff.
So apple TV owner get a free upgrade, iPhone users get a free upgrade. But we touch users get the shaft.
Well loks like my touch is staying Jailbroken.
Yup, I agree. Plus, the 1.1.3 update still won't include any games, nor will it allow me to sync up with podcasts via Wifi (MobileCast).
it should be free... $400 is not enough for you????
Bend over Apple fanboys!!! BEND OVER!!!!
Us early adopters of products get the screw evertime.
Screwed By,
Sony PS3 $600 now $399
RIM Blackberry Pearl when the more functional Curve came out a few weeks later
Apple Ipod Touch BS application now we have to pay for shit that comes free with them now. Can't they put that in a firmware update?
All the companies can fall off the face of the earth. GO OLPC give me a cheap ipod alternative
www.meizu.com
Who knows if the M8 will ever get completed (or if it even exists) but it's still a great community of people who wanted something other then i$ to fulfil their MP3/4 needs. I seriously thought Apple would release a new iPhone that would kick the M8 out of the water making the product completly pointless but with all the anger that Jobs has created among the Apple community, this could be Meizu's chance to let their products shine.
I've already got all of those apps on my jailbroken touch.... and have had for about 2 months as well as tonnes of other stuff.
Honestly people, its an easy process, risk free and FREE!!!!!
Screw apple.
Steve jobs can come and suck my balls if he thinks I am paying £10 for this
Not £10
£12.99!!!
Not only do we English get SHAFTED for adopting early, the Apple 'exhange rate denial' is ABSURD!
In the US, this would be $26
I just got a Touch for Christmas. Should I be penalized for getting a present three weeks ago? I could easily return it and get a new one with a free upgrade, but my time is worth more than that.
This is larceny. I don't mind paying for software updates, but $20 is way too much, especially since I can get the same information for free with a little more effort using Safari on the Touch. $5 or $10 would be more reasonable, but I'd still have a very bad feeling about this. Why do all the other folks (iPhone, Apple TV) get free updates???
Dear Steve,
Can you please tell us all what justifies this $20?
Thank you.
Yea thats really stupid I have a funny feeling that they will go back on this and offer it free. I have all those apps on my iPod Touch anyway wasn't really that hard to hack it...
So because I bought my Ipod Touch early I have to pay $20 for a software update even though its free for people who now buy the Touch??? How does that even make sense??
Apple TV upgrade $0
iPod Upgrade $20 = BULLSHIT
I'm frickin p*ssed too... This is ridiculous - let them know: http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipod.html
Even though it's a pain it's easier for the masses to get this functionality -- I mean ... try explaining JailBreak to you Mother-in-Law after she sees your Ipod.
Now I can tell her to just install the update and I can hang up from being tech-support.
Who gives a shit about the iPod apps . . . give me my 32GB / 64GB iPod Touch!
They are selling you programs they are not charging you for an update as such more a set of programs its like a ilife update i know some would argue they should have had this from launch but if you wanted them that much from launch it would have stopped you from buying it in the first place and the reason theydid it for free to the new people is to get the people who would not buy it in the first place to buy it.
Not to mention the early adopters that had to put up with defective screens and return the device 5 tinmes to get a good one, throw them a damn bone.
This is complete BS... just got my iPod Touch a few days ago, i feel cheated!
this just makes me feel good about my decision never to give a company like apple .01 cents of my hard earned money. This is clearly a huge shaft to purchasers of ipod touch. And all you people trying to justify this 20 dollar charge being reasonable, you are a tool....
Quit yer whinin'!
I have to pay a subscription fee to Apple as part of my iPhone wireless bill to allow for free updates. Why should iTouch users get all the updates without paying something?
You shouldn't get a free ride at the expense of iPhone users.
And the early adopters get screwed again! I got burned on the Mac Mini, and so I was hesitant and waited on the iPhone (and saved $200 for doing so). Now they do the same thing to iPod Touch customers. There is absolutely NO reason to charge for this update, other than to line Apple Inc's pockets. Another thing that seems apparent is that the business model for iPhone/Touch 3rd party software will be to make it "iTunes only", which will severely limit the amount of software available to the platform. Honestly, I wish I had never bought an iPhone. If I could have found a different phone with the same storage capacity, I probably would have gone a different way. FWIW, I think that this is his worst keynote ever. He's definitely losing his touch. I remember when keynotes meant new products that where IMMEDIATELY available! So far, the only thing that has been immediate is the reaction to this $20 charge. From what I can tell, it is all over the place. It should be interesting to note the long-term effects of this.
Also, the notebook is completely underwhelming to me. I have a Dell 430 with SSD storage and 802.11N that, while not as thin, is actually smaller than that (and a good bit cheaper with SSD!).
I've always considered myself to be a bit of an Apple fanboy, but it's quickly wearing off...
Yet another reason to hate apple - i cant believe SJ has the nerve to do this crap - people need to stop buying his products cuz they match their favourite outfits and go elsewhere!
WWaaaaaaaaa!!! its $20. you spent like 400 to get the the thing.
Yeah, we did - and why the f*ck should we spend and additional $20 on something that should have been there in the first place and didn't cost them a frickin extra dime to develop since they already had them for the iPhone?!?! It's not the money -- it's the fact that we've put up with a first gen product with a fair amount of bugs and they treat us like sh*t for being an early adopter. It's total garbage.
@ Derek:
You paid for what you bought. If it wasn't worth what you paid for it when you bought it, you shouldn't have purchased it.
If you bought the iPod Touch on speculation that you'd someday get free programs for it that would suddenly make it worth using, well, you're and idiot (and i'm surprised you didn't get the Zune instead, if all you want is speculative future features.)
I like hand-outs as much as the next guy, but crying about not getting free crap makes you the worst kind of beggar.
Can't wait to read the Apple forums on this one. Somethign tells me people won't be able to get a gift card out of this one..
email STEVE JOBS and let him know what a douche this is for charging us for an update
sjobs@apple.com
Sent ol' Steveo and email. I think every iPod Touch owner should. $20 bucks for 5 widgets is just wrong!
UnF****ing believable he would charge early adopters, but offer it free to new buyers.
It's just not right...
You're right - that's totally unheard of! ...It's not like this has been going on for decades in the computer and electronic industries...
It's not at all like how Apple bundles iLife with new computers, but charges $79 for it standalone...
It's not at all like how new computers come with 10.5 / Vista, but you have to PAY to upgrade your current computer.....
It wasn't common at all, just a few years ago until very recently, that if you wanted the newest features, you had to BUY the newest device...
Let's get a little perspective here.
Most other cellphones on the market NEVER get a software update, much less a handful of free applications / updates, the fact that the iPhone gets these benefits is the exception; not the rule.
Umm, there is no NEWER device. It's the same iPod touch models, dude. Regardless of the way CELL PHONE makers hose their customers, Apple hasn't done this for iPods.
WAAAAAAH!!!!
How come I gotta PAY for OSX Leopard to get extra features for my MacBook??? The MacBook AIR has it for FREE!!! I hate being an early enjoyer of technology....
WAAAH WAAAH WAAAH!!!
Grow up people. Your iPod Touch does EVERYTHING it said it would do when you bought it.
word.
This is the exact same move MSFT made with pocket pc. Great job Apple-being more and more Microsoft like everyday. Hey I know, lets charge for everything, every new program, everything on the iphone. Let's lock it up and force them to use our shitty software instead of open source. JUST LIKE MSFT OMFG!!!
If they're "selling you programs" then why are the very same programs included on the newly shipped product?
...same as their iLife suite...
I'll keep my $20 and my jailbroken 1.1.2 and wait for 1.1.3
Lord Turtleneck strikes again.
When you create cutting edge, innovative products you have the option of cut-throat business tactics. But...just because it's available doesn't mean you take it.
Apple looked for a phone company to screw, and with few other options, AT&T stepped up.
Now, for the 2nd year in a row, Apple once again screws their most loyal early adopters.
And, what of DRM-free iTunes music? No mention in the keynote? Did the record industry get fed-up with Job's monopoly and give iTunes the middle finger in favor of Amazon and MP3s???