iPod touch users: if you bought after Jan 1 the new apps are free -- maybe
If you got your touch after January 1st, you should still be within the window of Apple's price protection, meaning Apple's standard policy for this stuff should allow you to update your touch apps and apply for a credit back on the $20 levy. The Apple mothership didn't yet confirm, but multiple customer service agents said those who bought online shouldn't have a problem getting their Jackson back, son (and those who bought in an Apple store should run on over to get a $20 refund). Let us know how it goes for you -- and don't say we didn't warn you, just in case you wind up being stuck with a $20 charge for apps you should never have had to pay for in the first place.
[Thanks, Steve]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Adam Zeldin @ Jan 17th 2008 7:03PM
"[Thanks, Steve]" Is kinda ironic.
More like "No Thanks, Steve."
Comeon
Andrew @ Jan 17th 2008 7:32PM
People knew what they were getting when they bought the iPod Touch before this update - its like expecting your PC with XP on it to now get a free upgrade to Vista. Come on.
beyond that it has already been explained that AppleTV and iPhone were set up in Apples accounting to cover all future software updates, so when you buy an iPhone or AppleTV you are paying up front for these future updates, they are not 'free'.
iPod Touch was not accounted for in the same manner so any software feature that is added must be paid for according to the estimated market value of the update. We saw this with the software unlock of 802.11N on the iMacs.
You can blame Enron and the fall out that resulted in Serbian Oxley accounting rules.
Shadow08 @ Jan 20th 2008 12:55AM
Andrew, if this is the case, why hasn't the price of the iPod Touch increased? After all, if it costs Apple money to make these updates, why wouldn't the price of the Touch go up?
You have a good point, but Apple is making a ton of profit from each iPod. I highly doubt that an update that would amount to pennies (if at all because it's already made for the iPhone) out of Apple's pocket would do anything to their profits, considering how much they are making off these. If they can slash $200 off the price so quickly AND offer customers $100 credit, why can't they ship out an extremely cheap update?
Ruben @ Jan 17th 2008 7:48PM
So what your saying Andrew is that anytime Apple makes a new application for the iPhone that can be used on the Touch, and eventually makes its way to the Touch, it will cost the owners money to get those new apps.
What a wonderful device to buy.
Justified rape is still rape.
Andrew @ Jan 17th 2008 8:05PM
Ruben - We all pay for software updates - Windows XP to Vista is not free - its a paid upgrade or justified rape as you called it. Adobe PhotoShop same thing paid upgrade.
Like I said iPhone and AppleTV owners paid for all future software updates upfront! they are not free.
iPod Touch owners didnt buy the Touch knowing this update was coming - they paid for it based on what it did on the day they bought it - if they want these MAJOR upgrades well you can pay the upgrade software fee - just like every other upgrade fee in software.
not a hard concept to grasp.
MacVicta @ Jan 17th 2008 8:09PM
"So what your saying Andrew is that anytime Apple makes a new application for the iPhone that can be used on the Touch, and eventually makes its way to the Touch, it will cost the owners money to get those new apps."
Yes, it will cost money considering future applications will be post SDK and purchased from the iTunes store.
pg5of16 @ Jan 17th 2008 8:15PM
Um, I'm sorry, but how did AppleTV and iPhone owners pay for these updates "up front" any more than iPod Touch owners?
Also, Vista is not a "Service Update". Its a completely new product. Service Packs are updates, and you don't see Microsoft charging for them.
Ruben @ Jan 17th 2008 8:14PM
Your XP to Vista comparison doesn't hold water. Its just a stupid comparison to what is at hand here.
I agree that Adobe updates are a rape, but you cant do much about that.
The only problem i have with this (actually, i really dont give a shit but i like debates) is that: do new purchasers of the iPod Touch already pay for this up front? Is this what they are implying? In which case, its fine.
But is this going to continue? That is my main question. Whenever they release a new app "FOR FREE" on the iPhone, will it be charged to all existing users of the Touch should it come out and should they want it, and will new Touch's have them pre-installed with the cost already accounted for, thus giving early adopters a constant need to pay Apple for software that new buyers are getting for free.
I understand the concept because im not a fool. But is this a smart thing to do? They really should be taking the hit, not putting that hit on their customers, or for legality sake, charging a really low amount of money for these updates (like they did for the N update).
thetinguy @ Jan 17th 2008 8:25PM
Also iphone apps can already run on the ipod touch. The $20 is pure profit for apple. They could do the update for a fee, but they choose not to.
Andrew @ Jan 17th 2008 8:33PM
My understanding is that AppleTV and iPhone are the only two devices that have the future updates accounted for upfront in the purchase price.
So yes major updates for the Touch would require a software upgrade fee while minor updates would continue to be free.
The new touch devices as of the update can include the software at no additional cost because its on the retail packaging and marketed as containing it while previous versions did not.
I think this was a pretty major update to the iPod Touch and although it sucks to have to pay $20 it isnt too bad considering you get Google Maps with WiFi triangulation, Mail and the stock and weather widget.
Just to put it in perspective the company Navizon charges $25 just for their GPS triangulation software for cell phones.
Kiwi616 @ Jan 17th 2008 9:06PM
@ Andrew
It's Sarbanes Oxley...or SOx, SarBOX etc.
And the charge is not based on it, only by Apple's means. They should not charge for something that should have been in the device to begin with. And no I do not own one....waiting for the 32GB version hopefully.
Haxxy @ Jan 17th 2008 10:20PM
I generally think they're charging because it's just a handful of applications that not everyone wants or needs - a lot of people use it just for media. It's less of a multi-purpose device than the iPhone, and you're paying for a media player, so Apple is charging a little to give you some extra functionality.
Carlos @ Jan 17th 2008 11:52PM
Like someone mentioned above - the $20 is most likely going to cover the WiFi triangulation service you get with Google maps. This service is provided by Skyhook, a 3rd party, and I am sure Apple doesn't get it for free. Navizon charges a similar fee for GPS triangulation so this is the most probable cause for the fee.
Engadget is really going down hill with all of these flame-bate stories its running against Apple and MS.
We want real news and in depth analysis - not childish jabs that fall apart when a handful of people start digging deeper. Readers shouldnt have to do all the analysis in the comments.
Apple probably shares part of the blame for not properly explaining why they charged for one and not the other. Oh and while I am apparently doing Apples PR the Mac Book Air battery isn't replaceable because its spread within the case into every nook and cranny they could stuff battery cells into. The battery makes up like 75% of the mass of that laptop, check out the picks of the internals for yourself.
emjoi @ Jan 18th 2008 12:37AM
God I hate the "It's the accountant's fault" cliche excuse. It's rubbish.
Ellianth @ Jan 18th 2008 12:39AM
Dunno if anyone posted this yet. If not, allow me to throw your (very bad) analogy of XP to Vista out the window.
Before vista was released manufacturers offered people computers with XP and promised them a FREE (F R E E) vista upgrade DVD in the mail.
And considering that both devices are running the same crippled OS why is it so expensive for them to include those crappy programs? I doubt they had to rewrite anything other than any code they threw in to make the programs not work in the first place. Damn crooks.
Mike918 @ Jan 18th 2008 1:26AM
This is for andrew: So apple TV users pay $230 and get a HUGE uptade with a lot of NEW functions that were build from zero and for the price they payed that was enough. I as an iPod touch user paid $400 dollars for a device that was already there but with less functions and FOR THE SAME PRICE! and they get the uptdates (because as you say the price they paid was fair) and i got screwed! for me this is all BS from apple... and i bought it in december that makes me a lot mad! and the windows example that you gave is just nonsense, the people that bought a computer a few months before windows vista was released they got a FREE upgrade!
Simon @ Jan 18th 2008 7:34AM
Just typical evil Apple stuff going on, yet again!!!
The ipod touch is a great device, I love PDA's and handheld gadgets, but, without a nice feature set of software, it's BS!!!
That's why people jailbroke them and loaded loads of cool apps to enable u to do stuff (like pdf readers, email, games and things). But these functions should have been there from the beginning!!! Safari can read PDF's on it, why the hell can't i load my PDF copy of a book I own on it and read it???
Typical Apple BS!
I love my powerbook and Imac because of all the great software and things I can do with them (out of the box).
Surely Apple should do the same for the ipod touch, and don't say "Buy an iphone" because they aren't out in Japan yet!!!
Its a great device, but has so much more potential than Apple gives us (or wants us to have it seems)
Joseph @ Jan 18th 2008 1:29PM
When I buy a product I expect all updates to be free. I want more than what I paid for. I don't care if you have to pay your employees. It's not my problem. If you can't let us have it for free, don't even bother giving us the option.
Matthew McLeod @ Jan 19th 2008 2:46AM
The AppleTV comparison is a very bad one. The TV upgrade gives you the ability to rent movies, which is going to make ridiculous money for apple. If you had to pay for the upgrade AND pay to rent the movies, nobody would do it. I have a feeling a lot more people will rent movies to watch on their HDTV as opposed to on their computer. So, in my opinion, everyone should stop using this comparison.
austin @ Jan 17th 2008 7:04PM
i think if you bought before black friday, you should get them for free. apple is screwing us early adopters for being loyal customers.
Kaiser @ Jan 17th 2008 7:07PM
It's BS - I bought a touch for my wife just a few weeks ago for Christmas - she was disappointed that it didn't have mail. This is lame.
Zak @ Jan 17th 2008 7:47PM
In other words, you didn't do the appropriate research to determine whether the Touch had Mail or not before buying it? Or you knew it didn't have Mail but you bought it anyway and then your wife was disappointed so you're going to blame Apple? Are you gonna sue them too? The lack of personal accountability in this country is appalling. It doesn't surprise me that you want 5 new applications for free, either.
Mr Lizard @ Jan 17th 2008 7:48PM
she was *disappointed* that an mp3 player couldn't send or receive emails?!! Jeez...
speedie @ Jan 17th 2008 8:01PM
You are all missing the point. The iPod Touch is an iPhone without the phone. If I spend $300 for a device instead of $400 because I don't need or want a phone (or the two year contract that goes with it), why should I be penalized by being forced to pay for software that is a free upgrade for the phone I didn't want? Apple is indeed making the early adopters pay.
pg5of16 @ Jan 17th 2008 8:03PM
Actually Zak, I think that he bought the present for his wife, just as a present. The wife expected that an internet device like the iPod Touch would at least have a mail client. So, when she found out it didn't have mail, she was dissapointed.
You really don't need to antagonize him like that, too.
MacVicta @ Jan 17th 2008 8:13PM
"It's BS - I bought a touch for my wife just a few weeks ago for Christmas - she was disappointed that it didn't have mail. This is lame."
It does have mail. She can access her e-mail through the Safari browser like every other iPod touch user that doesn't want to pay the $20.
Ian Armstrong @ Jan 17th 2008 10:14PM
The best part is that I felt my $20 was well spent to get rid of the effing nag that iTunes threw at me every time I plugged in my iPod.
At first I was irritated. I ranted, I raved, I even tried to download ( http://www.theboysdownunder.com/wmpod/ ) to manage my iTouch from WMP only to be served up a jucy fist full of 404.
Then by the 25th time or so I gave in. I'm sorry, I now embody everything that is wrong with an iPod user.
Just don't think for a minute I'm going to forget the experience, Apple.
ChillyWilly @ Jan 17th 2008 11:33PM
Agree with austin. There were a shload of iPod touch's sold for the holidays. To only go back to Jan 1st seems shortsighted.
The touch we have here in my fiance's. She reads email, but doesn't really care to have it on her touch.
I'll wait until I get my touch (when it gets updated to 32gb) to get the new apps.
$20 is really not that much, but it's not the dollar amount we are talking about here, it's the principle of charging for it when there were no other changes to the touch.
And I really don't see these wacked out analogies about how someone that bought a MacBook last year got iLife 06 and now there is iLife 08... c'mon... we are not talking about an complete program update. We are talking about a product that hasn't changed and new user purchase it and get the update and previous owners, all 3 months of us, have to pay for the new apps.
Riu @ Feb 6th 2008 9:54PM
Well, that shows you how most corporations reward loyal customers: screw them. And that is why you shouldn't feel loyalty toward any single company, be it Apple, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Sprint, or whoever the hell else. Loyalty means jack in this day and age.
JOSE @ Jan 17th 2008 7:07PM
sooner or later after enough pressure just like the iphone they will eventually give in and eliminate the 20$ fee
Kizorblade @ Jan 17th 2008 7:31PM
But then you'll get the people who bought the 20$ upgrade complaining and egh.
I blame money. Let's all go back to trading pigs and cows.
Tavis Veighey @ Jan 17th 2008 10:34PM
OR the firmware, and instructions on how to install it on the touch for free will hit PirateBay...
sam @ Jan 17th 2008 7:07PM
Thats not true, I buy songs on my iPod Touch at Starbucks all the time, so there IS a built in revenue stream for the Touch...
Nubaeus @ Jan 17th 2008 7:11PM
I think you're one of the people in that survey people were complaining about with the pretentious mac owners haha
BigD @ Jan 17th 2008 7:27PM
That's true...but they are not increasing their revenue stream by giving you the new apps. There are no revenue generating applications among the new additions.
required @ Jan 17th 2008 7:10PM
All of the firmware/feature upgrades for Sony's PSP over the years have been free including things such as:
Internet, LocationFree TV, TiVo-To-Go, RSS, Flash, Visualizers, 720x480 video, customizable UI, so on and so forth.
I bet that is why the PSP outsells the iPod touch.
aaron @ Jan 17th 2008 7:15PM
I SWEAR I read this exact post within the last couple days...
Drew @ Jan 17th 2008 7:32PM
Yeah I'm sure it's all that... and not the fact that the iPod touch just came out.
Or the fact that the PSP is made for a completely different audience :-/
"OHNOES APPLE IS TEH FAILURE!! THE DS HAS A TOUCH SCREEN AND IT IS KICKING THE IPOD TOUCH'S ASS!!! OMFG APPLE SUXXXXXXX!"
Give me a break.
aoeu00 @ Jan 17th 2008 7:12PM
"Now there's even more to touch."
Someone report Apple to the CPS.
ticklecricket @ Jan 18th 2008 1:16AM
In today's stock news AAPL, or NAMBLA, ...
bob @ Jan 17th 2008 7:13PM
Engadget have just pointed out a loophole for a few recent buyers - Apple haven't done squat. And everyone else still gets shafted.
Tony @ Jan 17th 2008 7:17PM
Come on guys people that bought and over priced mp3 player can affored a lousy $20 Apple people dont be so damn cheap. dont you know Steve needs the money
:)
Spelling mistakes or on purpuse :)
Ruben @ Jan 17th 2008 7:23PM
Don't worry about the spelling mistakes. No one reads anymore.
In fact, i don't even know what I'm writing right now.
I think instead of comment text boxes, you should have a record button on these comments sections.
Tony @ Jan 17th 2008 7:29PM
Thats right Steve (Jesus) Jobs said it so it must be true.
Kizorblade @ Jan 17th 2008 7:29PM
"Spelling mistakes or on purpuse :)"
Are = or (?)
I absolutely love it!
Ron @ Jan 17th 2008 8:05PM
@ Tony
If Job was jesus, then why would he get cancer?
Burt @ Jan 17th 2008 7:37PM
I purchased the update the day it came out and it made my ipod more fun and useful. As for the charge, it appeared on my statement but is now gone. Very strange i'm not sure whats going on.
Steve @ Jan 17th 2008 8:05PM
I just looked at my online statement and it isn't showing up on mine either. You may be on to something, I hope!
thetinguy @ Jan 17th 2008 8:30PM
Get your money back and jailbreak it.
Luke @ Jan 17th 2008 10:04PM
Yeah, mine only has $1 for the transaction... I only bought the upgrade last night, so I'll wait until they've properly processed it until making judgement. I only bought the touch earlier in the week through a local retailer who had it $30 less than the apple online store.
It's odd, because the transaction history for itunes is still saying $24.99 (australian).