Apple to Start Charging for Re-Downloading Apps Over-the-Air?

[skwoytek]

But, this doesn't prevent this at all. Even if you have to "re-purchase" apps, how exactly does this prevent people from "sharing" apps? My wife and I do the same and this new policy means nothing to us on terms of "sharing" apps. This doesn't prevent anything, but just produces inconvenience for the end-user.

You are allowed to share apps based on the 5 authorized computers. However, with iPhone 3.0 you can enter an iTunes username and password into the iPhone itself. Because of this, you can have an application which was paid for only once running on dozens on iPhones - clearly something which could cause developers to abandon the iPhone development. Apple's new policy ensures the five computer limit.

As it currently seems to be working, if you buy the app on iPhone "A" you can re-download the app to iPhone "A" unlimited times without paying. If you try to download the app straight to iPhone "B" however, you will be asked to re-purchase it or sync it via computer - this procedure ensures that the limits which have always been in place are adhered to.

For users who sync their apps to only one iPhone, this should not be a problem. However, once you upgrade to a new iPhone you will need to use your computer to sync - or perhaps Apple will have a way to make your new iPhone the original device.

 

[baleensavage]

Technology regression. What's the point of a wireless node if you're still tied to a computer?

My thoughts exactly. I have not downloaded a single app through iTunes since I was able to do it on my iPod touch. And I have redownloaded apps I deleted, because many apps have 1.0 versions that suck and then get better with a new version. I can understand doing this over a cell network, sort of. But for those of use that just use wifi, what's the difference between using Apple's bandwidth to download from iTunes or on the iPod? Pretty lame decision IMHO.

 

[TheSpaz]

I don't like how the words "this" and "again" are on their own lines. I think Apple should fix how the words wrap to make it look better. It looks so sloppy to have orphans in a dialog like that... especially TWO orphans in the same dialog. FIX IT APPLE!

Oh yeah, and I think it's crappy that you have to re-pay if you're on the road and aren't near a computer. I delete stuff I don't always use, but sometimes I find that I get into a situation where I need to download the app again so I do because it's free. Apple is NOT going to get good reviews for this move.

 

[ocva]

You are allowed to share apps based on the 5 authorized computers. However, with iPhone 3.0 you can enter an iTunes username and password into the iPhone itself. Because of this, you can have an application which was paid for only once running on dozens on iPhones - clearly something which could cause developers to abandon the iPhone development. Apple's new policy ensures the five computer limit.

As it currently seems to be working, if you buy the app on iPhone "A" you can re-download the app to iPhone "A" unlimited times without paying. If you try to download the app straight to iPhone "B" however, you will be asked to re-purchase it or sync it via computer - this procedure ensures that the limits which have always been in place are adhered to.

For users who sync their apps to only one iPhone, this should not be a problem. However, once you upgrade to a new iPhone you will need to use your computer to sync - or perhaps Apple will have a way to make your new iPhone the original device.

OK, this is a pretty good answer.

I have to admit that I started to read through this thread, but only got through the first couple of pages before I hit "last". It's pretty disappointing to see all this shameless fanboyism. "It's for the best." "This affects no one."

On the consumer level, this is actually pretty annoying. If there was an actual app management system set up, this wouldn't really be a problem. But as it is, the fact that we are chained to "X" number of pages means that at a certain point, you're going to have to start deleting an app just to purchase a new one. This is where I am right now. I like to keep a full device. With long commutes, it's better to have a lot of options. If I want to try a new app, I will usually have to delete something. If the new app isn't to my liking or if it's a game that I finish quickly, I'll just re-download something I've deleted to make space.

I don't like being chained to iTunes. I rarely browse the iTMS on my computer. I am almost always on the mobile App Store via my device. I don't think I'm the only one who prefers to use a mobile device away from the computer. skwoytek's answer is good enough for me. But I hate seeing all this other excuse making for Apple. This certainly will affect people, and it will be an annoyance.

 

[Schizoid]

I don't like how the words "this" and "again" are on their own lines. I think Apple should fix how the words wrap to make it look better. It looks so sloppy to have orphans in a dialog like that... especially TWO orphans in the same dialog. FIX IT APPLE!

This is a Rip
Off

Thanks for giving us more
money

 

[jbrandonf]

I believe that this is being put in place to prevent exactly that. Your wife should have to pay for the app too.

But they don't think so because syncing will give her a copy for free. It's only inconviencing her. Why should she be required to pay anyway? That decision should've been made before 2.0 was released..One iTunes account per device.

I remember when cellphones were a luxury... then they were common place... now we're complaining about not having instant access to a game or an application? If your life is so reliant on your device.. shovel out the $$$ and quit whining!!

It was a convenient feature that is being taken away. Just because it doesn't affect you doesn't mean we don't have a point.

As it currently seems to be working, if you buy the app on iPhone "A" you can re-download the app to iPhone "A" unlimited times without paying. If you try to download the app straight to iPhone "B" however, you will be asked to re-purchase it or sync it via computer - this procedure ensures that the limits which have always been in place are adhered to.

For users who sync their apps to only one iPhone, this should not be a problem. However, once you upgrade to a new iPhone you will need to use your computer to sync - or perhaps Apple will have a way to make your new iPhone the original device.

If people are going through the effort of sharing iTunes accounts whats to say that they won't just adjust to this move? However (god forbid) launching firmware 3.0 is the debacle that 2.0 was, and I have to have my phone switched out..how will this system work? Or what if I decide I want to trade my black 3g for my friends white one?

Get rid of the idea in the first place. I think a smaller percentage of people have a need to switch iTunes accounts than those who would be affected by this new "feature".

 

[neverbuyapc]

It's obvious why

How can Macrumors not figure out why Apple did this? It is because there is so much data being used by customers who are redownloading apps. It's kinda obvious. And to everyone who is all pissed off about it, what's the big deal? You can just redownload the app on your computer. So its not as handy, but it will speed up the internet buy a lot. I don't see why everybody here doesn't understand it and thinks it's such a big deal.

--UPDATE--

For one, this never happened so who cares and two, I actually now realizes how much that would have pissed me off.

 

[branjosef]

Well if this doesn't stink of swine flu!!!

 

[wizard]

Jumping the gun are we?

Remember folks this is beta software and as such the final performance spec might not be meet yet. As to the goal here I suspect it is to save cell bandwidth. Yes I know this is a Touch but like I said beta software.

I suspect that AT&T and Apple have come to an arraingement where the users pay for the dense bandwidth usage such downloads entail. It is a gentle way to say hey go use some unlimited bandwidth someplace else. It makes sense too as donloading and installing a large number of apps over a 3G connection just plugs up the local network. Local as in the specific cell tower location. Let's face it. Megabyte wise some of the app store apps are pretty fat.


Dave

 

[Anuba]

And to everyone who is all pissed off about it, what's the big deal?

So its not as handy

And that is the big deal. This is Apple we're talking about. The company that everyone marvels over because they make complicated tasks easy. The company that succeeds where others failed because they understand that people follow the path of least resistance, so they cleverly remove enough hurdles to clear that path. They thrive on making things handy. This is how they manage to do things like bringing smartphone web browser usage from 15% pre-iPhone to 85% post-iPhone.

The user base is spoiled with that kind of luxury, so obviously they will be miffed if Apple reverts to a boneheaded solution that tethers you to your computer in order to use your *mobile* device, like it was 1999 all over again.

 

[corvus]

Apple is a fiscally conservative company making the best software, computers, music players and data phones in the world. They are not a monopoly. If they wish to charge for downloading the same thing two or ten times over 3G they should. Backup your downloads on your computer. Make another backup on an external drive. Lose the entitlement attitude. Everything will be fine.

 

[soundsgoodtome]

Only people crying about this are the ones who are likely to circumvent matters for illegal downloads anyways.

Absolutely untrue. Why is it so difficult for you people to imagine scenarios that differ from your life? Do you really believe everyone else's life is exactly like yours?

I don't like keeping apps on my device that i rarely use. We all know how tedious it is to flick through 7 or 8 pages of apps. Just this weekend, I was out with friends, and in order to help one of them with something, I had to download an app I'd previously purchased, but had deleted from my phone.

Within 60 seconds, I had re-downloaded the app and was using it. And it's happened a few times in the past, as well. Now, if what we're reading is true, we'll have to pay for the app again -- or wait until we're back at our computers. In some cases, that could be 12 hours or more. I've even taken a couple of overnight trips without my MacBook Pro. (Not so long ago, that was unthinkable.)

As the iPhone/iTouch reach massive saturation, I understand this becomes an issue of bandwidth. But it'll definitely be a drag to have to pay to download apps again.

Hey, Apple, if you must charge for this, how about a compromise?
To re-download a free app: Free.
To re-download a paid app: $.25.

 

[powaking]

The picture shows the iphone on wifi. What difference does it make if I'm on wifi on my phone or on my computer when redownloading an app? This will force those to circumvent this restriction thats all it will do.

 

[ltldrummerboy]

I have absolutely no use for being able to sign in to multiple accounts on my iPod. They should just get rid of that ability and then let people redownload apps as much as they want.

 

[TheSpaz]

Absolutely untrue. Why is it so difficult for you people to imagine scenarios that differ from your life? Do you really believe everyone else's life is exactly like yours?

I don't like keeping apps on my device that i rarely use. We all know how tedious it is to flick through 7 or 8 pages of apps. Just this weekend, I was out with friends, and in order to help one of them with something, I had to download an app I'd previously purchased, but had deleted from my phone.

Within 60 seconds, I had re-downloaded the app and was using it. And it's happened a few times in the past, as well. Now, if what we're reading is true, we'll have to pay for the app again -- or wait until we're back at our computers. In some cases, that could be 12 hours or more. I've even taken a couple of overnight trips without my MacBook Pro. (Not so long ago, that was unthinkable.)

As the iPhone/iTouch reach massive saturation, I understand this becomes an issue of bandwidth. But it'll definitely be a drag to have to pay to download apps again.

Hey, Apple, if you must charge for this, how about a compromise?
To re-download a free app: Free.
To re-download a paid app: $.25.

I agree with you 100%

The thing I don't understand is... re-downloading free apps still take up the same amount of bandwidth as paid apps.

I guess this will just be another one of those things to jailbreak for.

 

[/dev/toaster]

This really sucks. Although I have only re-downloaded something once, where its going to bite me in the ass is when my GF downloads something. We have a shared iTunes account that we use to purchase applications. I can't tell you how many times I will purchase a game or whatever and she will turn around and download the same thing. This basically means that one of us will be screwed on it and forced to wait until we get home to download it.

I don't even want to hear about the cost of bandwidth because with a company as large as Apple they are paying about $0.04 or $0.05 a GB for their CDN. Making people pay to re-download or download the same application on a 2nd phone is nickle and dimming them to death. I pretty much guarantee if Apple goes through with this, Android and maybe even the Microsoft market place won't charge for re-downloads giving them an edge in competition.

 

[Peace]

I agree with you 100%

The thing I don't understand is... re-downloading free apps still take up the same amount of bandwidth as paid apps.

I guess this will just be another one of those things to jailbreak for.

That statement exemplifies the reasoning behind this whole thing.

 

[Almy]

I never have an internet connection at home. And I can go months without having my desktop at the house. This will be annoying for me.

 

[Bearxor]

I'm just curious about something. Do you ever back up your phone? I would be uneasy (understatement) if I knew my data was not backed up somewhere. Is there a better way to backup other than syncing to your computer? I'm around my MBP everyday (even when traveling) so it's no big deal for me to sync / backup, but maybe there's a better way to backup that I don't know about.

Anything important is in email. Especially on the iPhone. The notes interface is slow and clunky and they're not readily transportable anywhere and I'm not willing to invest in another text editing app (i think i did buy one at one time, but have since deleted it and don't know what it was called, oh well). On a WinMo device I could keep notes and important files I might need on an SD card. I can't do that with an iPhone, since I can't use it as a USB storage device. So all my contacts and email messages are kept on a server where, if my phone died, I'm 2 minutes away from reinputting information in to a new phone and having the same access I had when the other phone died.

Except my apps. Now I'll have to wait to go home, drag the extra cable out from my bag and sync the damn thing to itunes.

 

[Becordial]

Apple is a fiscally conservative company making the best software, computers, music players and data phones in the world. They are not a monopoly. If they wish to charge for downloading the same thing two or ten times over 3G they should. Backup your downloads on your computer. Make another backup on an external drive. Lose the entitlement attitude. Everything will be fine.

The answer is no. I and other rational people will not pay 10 times for downloading the same thing. When I have paid the license fee for for the app, I should be able to delete it and reinstall it as many times as I like within those terms.

 

[skwoytek]

I never have an internet connection at home. And I can go months without having my desktop at the house. This will be annoying for me.

If you buy all your apps on your phone then it won't matter at all, you can re-download everything for free.

 

[Blue Fox]

Huh, I would like to know the reasoning behind this. At face value, it seems rediculous (even though it really doesn't affect me as I don't constantly delete and re-download apps).

 

[Peace]

The answer is no. I and other rational people will not pay 10 times for downloading the same thing. When I have paid the license fee for for the app, I should be able to delete it and reinstall it as many times as I like within those terms.

It isn't that way with music or videos from the iTunes store. Where's all the griping about that ?

 

[skwoytek]

For those saying Apple is trying to get money for bandwidth or anything else, this is not true based on the current implementation.

Apple is not attempting to save AT&T's bandwidth:
A) The same rules apply whether you use 3G or Wifi.
B) Free apps can be re-downloaded for free over 3G or WiFi.

Apple is not attempting to save their own bandwidth:
A) Purchased apps can still be downloaded unlimited times to the computer.
B) Free apps can be re-downloaded for free over 3G or WiFi.

Apple is not attempting to get more of your money:
A) Purchased apps can still be downloaded unlimited times to the computer.
B) Free apps can be re-downloaded for free over 3G or WiFi.
C) Paid apps are still free for the original purchasing iPhone.

This appears to be due to a loophole created in 3.0 when Apple began allowing users to log into their account on the iPhone itself. This essentially eliminates the use of a computer. However, it also allows an application to be downloaded to unlimited devices but only paid for once.

iPhone 3.0 is over a month away, I'm sure this will be sorted out to an acceptable solution.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Applesoft.