Apple Announces iPod Touch Software Update

[MacRumors]

During Steve Jobs' keynote address, he announced 5 new apps for the iPod Touch: Mail, Stocks, Notes, Weather, Maps.

The updated software will be available to existing users for a $20 upgrade fee.

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[twoodcc]

my brother has an iPod touch. don't know if he's got $20 though

[SthrnCmfrtr]

$20 seems a bit rich... but I guess if I had a Touch I'd pay it.

[ImNoSuperMan]

20$ hmmm. Not really a great move by Apple. But it`s just 20 bucks in the end. So no need for any whining. Better than having to jailbreak just for these apps.

[appleii2mac]

Maybe the $20 price is for Sarbanes Oxley related accounting, like the 802.11n update.

[safetyobc]

Again, Apple screws the early adopters.

$20 isn't bad, but still. It's the principle that "new" iPod Touches will include the update.

Still, I'll buy it for my Touch.

[Intarweb]

Yay, a necessary firmware upgrade disguised as a $20 app upgrade package. Way to go Apple.

[aviationwiz]

$20 for this update? I thought it was a joke at first. Can't you just jailbreak an iPod touch and add all those apps to it for free? Sometimes Apple just doesn't make any sense.

[nuzreq]

So, if I buy a new iPod Touch today from Amazon and it doesn't include the new software will I have to fork over $20? Or will I be able to get it for free when I register the device?

[Jschultz]

Originally Posted by nuzreq

So, if I buy a new iPod Touch today from Amazon and it doesn't include the new software will I have to fork over $20? Or will I be able to get it for free when I register the device?

I wonder the same thing. I bought a touch yesterday afternoon. Sheesh.

[pacohaas]

Will there be two firmware versions from here on out for those who don't pony up the $20?

[pacohaas]

Originally Posted by Jschultz

I wonder the same thing. I bought a touch yesterday afternoon. Sheesh.

no problem, you're within Apple's 14 day return policy.

[mandoman]

Has mail now, that's great. Now I just need a cisco
vpn client (altogether possible with an SDK coming soon)
and a storage bump and I'll be all over the touch.

[aviationwiz]

Originally Posted by pacohaas

no problem, you're within Apple's 14 day return policy.

Yeah, but since he's presumably opened it, won't they charge him a restocking fee? This is a huge boat-load of crap.

[Otaviano]

Apple is just plain greedy. I wish they would stop doing these things. God bless piracy, I'm sure the official firmware update will be online shortly.

[samh004]

As bad as this is that it costs to get these new apps, you have to remember Apple was never going to release them for free in the first place. They're only adding it as an option now because so many people are having to resort to jailbreaking just because those apps are useful.

If they'd originally released the iPod touch with these apps the fear was it would eat away at iPhone sales, and even though Steve said there were 4 million iPhone sales, he didn't say how many iPod touch sales there were.

I'm actually pleased that this update isn't going to cost me much, and for what, a bit of good karma because I'm not stealing, OK, fine by me. For others it wont be enough.

Originally Posted by pacohaas

Will there be two firmware versions from here on out for those who don't pony up the $20?

I'm thinking iTunes will have an applications folder. They'll be stored in there, you'll still download iPod touch-specific updates but you'll be able to add your applications again afterwards if they're removed or what not.

[Jschultz]

Originally Posted by pacohaas

no problem, you're within Apple's 14 day return policy.

restocking fee? There goes 15% right?

[christopher3071]

I find it utterly atrocious that apple wants to charge me $20 for applications that they gave away on the iphone. That is absolute bull. A factor that made me buy the iPod touch was because apple said that they had other features down the line that they would be adding. I didn't expect to have to pay for such applications! I gave them $400+ of my money for an iPod touch and THEY WANT MORE?!?! Jailbreak it is. I am very pissed off. I love apple and have always granted them praise, but this is an outrage.

[the_ki]

I think it's odd that the Apple TV gets a s**tload of new features and that software upgrade is FREE.

But iPod Touch gets features that aren't really new, and it costs $20?

I guess the Apple TV updates are going to be subsidized by the movie rental costs.

Oh, and Time Capsule? Now there's a bait and switch. You can't use Time Machine over a network connection UNLESS you buy our box. That's ridiculous.

[Markleshark]

$20 is a bit sucky... Never mind, I paid it already.

[aaronw1986]

Originally Posted by Jschultz

restocking fee? There goes 15% right?

Yeah, cheaper to pay for the update...or just jailbreak

[cyberfunk]

Ugh.. I hope they don't justify this with that accounting BS again. Honestly... someone will pirate this and it'll be on bittorrent before next week. Alternatively, JailBreak the touch.

If you're as annoyed as I am about this... register your discontent with this obnoxious practice here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipodtouch.html

[Slip]

Once this is jalibroken Im on it. The rearrangeable Home screen will save a lot of hassle with Customize

[christopher3071]

Originally Posted by the_ki

I think it's odd that the Apple TV gets a s**tload of new features and that software upgrade is FREE.

But iPod Touch gets features that aren't really new, and it costs $20?

I guess the Apple TV updates are going to be subsidized by the movie rental costs.

Oh, and Time Capsule? Now there's a bait and switch. You can't use Time Machine over a network connection UNLESS you buy our box. That's ridiculous.

True, but apple tv wasn't selling as apple had hoped when it was released.

[Koyder]

How am I supposed to buy the update if I live in Poland, where there's no iTunes Store?