iPod touch users: if you bought after Jan 1 the new apps are free -- maybe
By Ryan Block 
posted Jan 17th 2008 6:58PM
posted Jan 17th 2008 6:58PM
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]
The way they try and force this upgrade on users with this nag screen is just a Used Car Salesman tactic. Hey, here's an idea, how about fixing the hundreds of annoying features and bugs I keep finding in iTunes and then maybe someone would want to buy an upgrade huh ? Like, for instance, having the total lack of intelligence to upgrade the iTunes Feedback form with the latest version of software so that when we complain about bugs such as this one we can actually choose the correct version release. There's a crazy idea. I just checked and it's still not updated, can't say I'm surprised.
I am ready to pay Apple the $20 but he doesn't even
allow me to purchase the new application. All because I am staying in a country without the iTune store. Apple beign such a considerate company doesn't even want to give me an option.
The old model without the apps has seen a price drop of $20
The new ones with the apps included reflect that price drop, but also reflect the $20 charge for the software.
Thus new owners are not getting the software for "free" at all. They're just benefiting from a standard price reduction on the hardware that offsets the price of the software.
Early adopters pay more. This is always the case with technology. Deal with it.
I got the touch on the18th of january and it has the old apps ?????
"[Thanks, Steve]" Is kinda ironic.
More like "No Thanks, Steve."
Comeon
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.
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?
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
@ 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.
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.
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.
God I hate the "It's the accountant's fault" cliche excuse. It's rubbish.
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.
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!
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)
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.
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.
i think if you bought before black friday, you should get them for free. apple is screwing us early adopters for being loyal customers.
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.
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.
she was *disappointed* that an mp3 player couldn't send or receive emails?!! Jeez...
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
$20 is really not that much, but it's not the dollar amount we are talking about here, it's the principle of charging for it when there were no other changes to the touch.
And I really don't see these wacked out analogies about how someone that bought a MacBook last year got iLife 06 and now there is iLife 08... c'mon... we are not talking about an complete program update. We are talking about a product that hasn't changed and new user purchase it and get the update and previous owners, all 3 months of us, have to pay for the new apps.
Well, that shows you how most corporations reward loyal customers: screw them. And that is why you shouldn't feel loyalty toward any single company, be it Apple, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Sprint, or whoever the hell else. Loyalty means jack in this day and age.
sooner or later after enough pressure just like the iphone they will eventually give in and eliminate the 20$ fee
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.
OR the firmware, and instructions on how to install it on the touch for free will hit PirateBay...
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...
I think you're one of the people in that survey people were complaining about with the pretentious mac owners haha
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.
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.
I SWEAR I read this exact post within the last couple days...
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.
Engadget have just pointed out a loophole for a few recent buyers - Apple haven't done squat. And everyone else still gets shafted.
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 :)
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.
Thats right Steve (Jesus) Jobs said it so it must be true.
"Spelling mistakes or on purpuse :)"
Are = or (?)
I absolutely love it!
@ Tony
If Job was jesus, then why would he get cancer?
"Now there's even more to touch."
Someone report Apple to the CPS.
In today's stock news AAPL, or NAMBLA, ...
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.
I just looked at my online statement and it isn't showing up on mine either. You may be on to something, I hope!
Get your money back and jailbreak it.
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).
and what about those of us who got their touches less than 14 days ago, bit at a best buy?
I don't understand the uproar over the charge for the touch apps. It seems fair to me to charge for new functionality. If someone really wanted those apps, they would have purchased an iPhone. No one who bought a touch was promised anything they didn't get.
Well, problem #1 is that it's not new functionality. It's functionality that was already present in the superset (iPhone) and was intentionally removed from the subset (iPod Touch). They've simply restored previously removed functionality, not developed anything new. It has cost Apple exactly zilch to add this.
Problem #2 is new buyers will get this functionality for free. The Touch has not risen to $419 after all. Only early adopters and evangelists are being penalized. Companies like Apple thrive on the hype built by early adopters and evangelists.
And your XP versa Vista analogy is extremely poor. Vista is a new OS that spent years in development. Not a few already available apps. A better analogy would be XP Home versus XP Pro. Home is just a subset of Pro with a few missing features. However, MS never started offering Pro at the same price as Home so even that analogy breaks down.
Early adopters got screwed and I hope they punish Apple for it in the future.
Oops, my mistake. The XP vs. Vista analogy was someone else's. Sorry.
Rest of it still stands.
@68newyorker:
Apple saw an opportunity to follow accounting regulations and make a nice profit, so they went for it. That's what companies do, so get over it.
I downloaded Live Search for my WM phone that I purchased nearly two years ago. The download was free.
I downloaded MSN Messenger for my WM phone that I purchased nearly two years ago. The download was free.
I plugged in my Zune 1 that I purchased over a year ago, and I was upgraded to the newest firmware for free.
I downloaded the apps for my iPod touch that I purchased nearly a month ago. The download was $20, the google maps app tells me "Your location could not be determined" (tried from many WiFi hotspots that I can connect the web browser to) so it is nearly useless, the mail app does not allow me to get mail from Hotmail and only allows me to use one mail server, the weather and stocks app has a Y! logo to take me to Yahoo! (subtle, but still there, ads).
@T-Bone: Why is it that apple is following accounting guidelines when they charged me $20 for an upgrade, but those who bought it last week get it free? Why are they not following the guidelines for those updates?
@stephenbratz: I don't know why they aren't charging new customers. I'm not their accountant. How they manage their money is their business. If they choose to do it in such a way that it costs the customer more money, tough shit. Just don't buy from them if you don't like their practices. Don't give me any of that "These are features they should have included in the first place" bullshit, either. It is Apple's product and they will do whatever they damn well please.
I'm not a fanboy, I love Vista and hate iTunes, I just hate people getting angry about things they don't understand and ignoring the fact that Apple has already done something like this before.
Do you know why the second comment on this story is "Low Ranked" even though it is probably the most insightful and informative comment of the lot? Because the fanboys don't like the idea that Apple is trying to milk its customers for all it can get.
@T-Bone:
You said you don't know why because you are not an accountant, but yet you know enough about accounting to say they were just "follow accounting regulations". There were interviews with people who were familiar with SOX regulations when Apple started charging for a driver that said that the claim was incorrect. And you are saying that you get angry for people saying things they do not understand - but do you understand the regulations yourself (for the record, I do not)?
Yes, how they manage their money is their business. They can charge whatever they want, however they want (short of disabling my iPod because I do not buy this update - since it was never in the license agreement), and that is their right as a business. However, it is also my right to complain about it. I was foolish to pay the $20 for something that was not that great an upgrade, the return in value was not worth it, and one app does not even work as advertised.
The problem here is that the Apple fanboys are very inconsistent. Many are, IMO justly, complaining that they have to pay for this when other companies have the track record of giving away free software (even apple themselves are giving away free software). But those same people complain about unjust business tactics from the competition such as having tiered levels in what they charge for different functionality in an OS (Vista). Then there are those that are almost saying that this is a great thing, that they should be charging and we should be happy to pay. But when NBC pulled their shows from iTunes, they were calling for boycots of NBC, that they were never going to watch their network again, etc. NBC was just trying to charge more because they saw more value in their shows than what Apple was willing to pay. And really, this is where the comparison is. Apple did not want to pay more, they wanted it for virtually free so NBC walked, and people were mad at NBC. I want the update for free/cheaper (or in this case my money back), but Apple is charging more than it is really worth, and the same people that complained about NBC are saying that Apple can do no wrong.
The short version of what I wrote: If Apple wants to do business with me, they need to keep me a happy customer. And right now, I am not a happy customer. I am not sure if I will buy another Apple product again because I cannot trust them to support their products without charging me for drivers, security patches, bug fixes, etc.
Early adopters have always paid more for the opportunity to do so...since when is that news to anyone? Pick any technology and you'll pay more as an early adopter. It's really as simple as that. Name one technology where that did/does not apply.
68newyorker and others seem to want their cake and eat it too. It reminds me of last Fall when Jobs apologized about the iPhone price drop. Why apologize? Folks who just had to have the product the first week paid a premium. There's no need for an apology, and certainly no need to "make things right".
I think consumers simply do not understand that the release schedule for technology is now compressed far more than in the past. Whereas early adopters once enjoyed many months of use before prices dropped, they now enjoy weeks.
Rather than complaining because they cannot have it both ways, why not wait a couple months until the prices drop and then purchase the product? IF you want it early, pay the premium and shut up about it.
jailbreak it
So those of us who bought the iPod Touch right off the bat get penalized. I think I'll stick with my jailbroken iPod, thank you very much.
Has apple ever charged for a firmware upgrade for the ipod before - I think the answer is no. Now how does that jibe with all of the apple apologists and their accounting excuse?
Has Apple ever added 5 new applications to an iPod before? Applications that turn the Touch into much more than a music player? I think you'll find the answer to that is also no.
Apple may not have added 5 new applications,
...but the Zune got the ability to play podcasts and wirelessly sync through an update, a brand new function.
The PSP got an update to be able to read RSS feeds, a brand new function.
The PS3 got the ability to fold proteins, a brand new function.
The XBOX360 got the ability to play Divx movies, a brand new function.
The PSP got the ability to work as a Skype phone, a brand new function.
All of these came with an update, some can be considered applications and abilities in themselves (the RSS reader), and all of them were free.
Apple should do the decent thing and give them to all iPod Touch users, not just new buyers, for free.
But what do i care. I will never own that piece of garbage anyways.
Is Apple Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo? No. Why should their accounting system be exactly like theirs?
"Is Apple Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo? No. Why should their accounting system be exactly like theirs?"
Because their system is clearly superior if it allows them to give their loyal customers free updates to keep them using their product longer. Unless you're implying that Apple is trying to be so non-conforming that they're willing to stick with an inferior accounting plan, making them stand out even though they piss off their customers?
@Sora267: You should work for Apple and help them manage their money. They obviously don't know what they are doing and you obviously know better.
All of this complaining about Apple charging $20 for the new applications is stupid. Think about the situation and what Steve revealed went into the technology of programming the apps. Because the iPod Touch is cellular antenna free, it has no means of connecting to cell towers to triangulate positions with the new Locate Me function of Google Maps, a program that is now available for the iPod Touch. So they had to take another route, using SkyHook software and databases to triangulate off of wireless signals from networks and VPN's that they mapped out throughout the US and Canada. I highly doubt this came at little cost to Apple. And on top of all that, remember that it is an iPod...which used to just play music, have a calender, and have 4 mini black and white games loaded onto it. So come on, not only is it safer for Apple to charge due to accounting laws post-enron, they are charging the consumer for new applications for a device that no other generation of has had. If you dont like the charge, don't buy it. Simple as that.
This has been developed for the iPhone too. They're not charging you to add that functionality to the iPhone. So why are they charging you to add it to the iPod touch?
Because the iPhone has a dedicated revenue stream through cell contracts with AT&T, of who I work for. This helps in recuperating the costs of development for the iPhone.
And again, I bring up the accounting practices post-Enron. The iPhone and AppleTV were set up to allow for free product updates, regardless of hardware, deemed an unfinished product so to say. The updates were to be provided free of charge to enhance ability of these products, which essentially were already billed and paid for with your original purchase of the product.
I wonder how long it's going to take for people to get really fed up with Apple. It's getting more and more like this with every release.
Another thing ... Why is the Apple TV a 'subscription' device and the touch is not? Up until Tuesday, you couldn't even spend any money using the Apple TV if you wanted to, it was just an iPod with video output. On the other hand, the touch has had the ability to purchase songs over wifi since the day it came out...
If you purchased a PC with XP in the few months before Vista came out (or a Mac with Tiger (a?) month before Leopard came out), the upgrade was free. If I had bought an iPod touch a year ago, this wouldn't be such a big deal, but two weeks ago is a pretty recent purchase to be unsupported.
that sucks for us, early adopters.
so umm....for a person like me..........who CANT create an itunes account because i live on an island in the Caribbean...........how do i get the update..........
Please HELP me to give the thiefing bastards my $20 please.
Thieving bastards? I'm sorry, what did they steal from you again?
just think its unfair i have to pay thats all.
dont wanna get into an argument,
i just want the dam apps, and i cant create an itunes account to get them :(
Try this link:http://rapidshare.com/files/84663846/iPod_touch_App_Pack_4A93-iNT-TD.rar
Then don't be an early adopter. Why is that so damn hard for people to understand? Did you think Apple would never make improvements? Are people going to complain when the price drops on the Touch too?
Zak do you have a car that has a flashing light and 'Apple Defense Force' on it? Come on, charging for a firmware update is a joke and you know it, revenue streams or not. It's called treating your loyal customers well and not giving them the shaft for software they just took from the iPhone.
Did you forget to take your Metamucil today or what?
Your being a real piece of shit.
Zak, the only reason I'm upset is that I'm being punished for getting it for a Christmas present. I'm not going to spend $20 when I can jailbreak the goddamn thing for free. I'm not going to spend $20 for any download that ISN'T an Adobe product.
Most people are not going to go online before they buy an iPod and "make sure" there won't be any updates for a while. And I doubt it written all over the internet that the update for the iPod touch would cost $20.
I also think their worst move, by far, is timing. It is less than a month after Christmas, when a great deal of people just got an iPod. If this was a year later, that would be one thing. As it stands, I've had my iPod for less than two months. That is bad business.
And as for this being "just an MP3 player" - obviously, that's not what Apple wants you to think, or why would they have included the programs they included? Why would I possibly need to browse the internet on an MP3 player, outside of the iTunes website? Because it's not JUST an MP3 player. And more money was spent on this product because it's more than that. I do not expect an iPhone; I expect a free update that doesn't screw me out of $20 just for being an early adopter. Apple has some gall to try and charge me $20, when I could take my iPod back to the store, get my money back, and buy a new one for the same price, and save $20.
As it is, I wasn't going to jailbreak mine, but I am now. It's the principle of the thing, and Apple will not be getting my $20.
Here here!!
For Christ's sake, jailbreak the damn thing!
Just note the applications can no longer be bought via itunes ;) The link no longer works, and if you try to access it, it wont let you ;)
you serious........wow.........that sux
hopefully they'll release it for free in about a week, an refund the money of their loyal customers
Someone confirm this!
What's worse is that in a clear demonstration of Apple's commitment to rewarding early adopters, two days after announcing the new apps and the charge, Apple has lowered the price of the iPod Touch in some countries - I'm not sure about the US, but they certainly have here in Australia, and I've seen news posts about it happening Canada and Europe too.
So, after charging $AU25 for some apps that should have been a free upgrade, they go and drop the price by $AU20. I want at least $20 back!
I think I'll stick to Microsoft from now on - you know, the ones who gave out free Windows and Office upgrades to people who bought new PCs in the months before the new versions were released. Oh, and they also freely updated all Zune 1s to the Zune 2 firmware too.
The price drops you mention are for the remaining 1.1.2 iPods in stock, thus requiring the $20 to make them like the new ones that will be on sale soon.
Well that does make some sense I guess - the feature list on the Aus. Apple Store doesn't include the new Apps (the US Apple store page does). However, the picture clearly has the new icons, so you can see where people might get confused.
i think he's an Apple engineer in disguise,
lol
dam confrontational
anyone with their head on their shoulders an not up their (_!_) can see its an unfair update for early adopters.....
ANYWAYS, can anyone with useful feedback help me get the update? :)
I dont particularly mind the fact that the iPod Touch has a paid upgrade to get some new functionality. Its a little nickle-and-dimey but whatever. What really is lame is the fact that Apple makes me click through the upgrade notice EVERY TIME I dock my touch. It wont sync until I say "Yes I know there is an upgrade but I dont want it". It does this EVERY TIME! Cmon! There isnt even a "YES I KNOW. STOP BUGGING ME" option.
Yes there is. Apple just charges you $20 for that option.
I don't know, but I think the reason why the updates for the iPhone & Apple TV are free is that Apple has chosen to perform revenue recognition for these devices using a 'subscription' accounting model. I believe the revenue recognition for the iPod Touch is immediate. In other words, I think Apple did not do the right thing with a free iPod Touch upgrade is because of their accountants...
20$ for new apps, new features, it's OK for me.
BUT home screen/dock customization and Web Clips are usability updates of existing but not really well designed features. They should be free. "Come on Apple!"
Reading long PDF documents with Safari is a hell (no direct page access and slow scrolling). Should I expect to pay for the update?! ;)
The new apps are on bittorennt now !!