iPod Touch $20 Software Update: Is Apple crazy or just greedy?
Ok so the latest announcement about the newest iPod Touch software update is that is will cost another $20 to upgrade to the latest software and make your Ipod Touch exactly like an iPhone minus the phone.
You get: Mail, Stocks, Maps, Weather, Web Clippings and all of this stuff is super cool to finally have right on your iPod Touch: 100% legal too, no jailbreaking required.
The software can be purchased though iTunes for $19.99
So here is the question of greed: Why are they charging $20 for an update when they are offering free updates for the iPhone, iTunes and Apple TV.
From some of the buzz I have been reading online this is really bothering alot of users, to the point of some actually protesting the fee.
Here is the link to the Online Petition: For the iPod Touch update to be free, 10000 strong as of 1/19/08
Buyers who have already paid upwards of $600 for their players when they first came out now have to pay an extra $20 for the upgrade that is included with the new iPod Touch players.
I guess Apple has to continue to satisfy their shareholders who must have sky-high expectations after last years earnings; I guess another $20 from hundreds of thousands of users should fill their wallets right up…
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Comments
OK folks, I’ve done a lot of research, and Apple WILL refund the $20. What they’ve done, is they’ve dropped the price of the iPod Touch from $299 to $279 (for the 8GB) and from $399 to $379 (for the 16GB). IF you payed $299 or $399 and are missing the applications, bring your bill to an Apple Store, and they should refund you $20. So in the end, they’re just playing with the numbers, but you’re still paying the normal price for the iPod Touch, just in different places.
afterthought: ALL iPod Touch 8GB and 16GB WILL have all the applications already on it if it was shipped out from the manufacturer on or after Jan 15, 2008. So those prices will be back to normal. But still make sure you have all the applications.
I figure that yes it is ridiculous to charge 20$ for it, but without the extra programs the touch is really over priced, just an internet tablet with an inferior MP3 player.
I sent mine back for repairs a few days before the upgrade was announced, when I got it back it had all the new stuff installed on it.
To charge $20 is absurd!!!
And for what? 4 apps that you can get for free if you Jailbreak your iPod…
I live in South Africa, and we do not have an Apple Store, and we cannot purchase on the US or UK Apple Store, so even if we wanted to buy the update, we cannot.
I’ve never been angry at Apple in the last 8 years, until this update came about…
Bastards.
Wow.. i hope apple doesn’t do weird decisions like some of the other companies did or they’ll go down the drain in no time.
I can’t see anything about a UK version from doing a quick search. Anyone else got any views on this?
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
Apple is crazy thats insane charging us 20 dollars just for 5 apps. Just think in the future they’ll be charging us more.