Remember the days apple used to charge for updating iOS on ipod touch ?

[DBZmusicboy01]

Was there one that cost $15 and the other $5 ?
I AM GLAD That apple doesn't charge anymore
imagine having to pay for each update.

 

[watchthisspace]

Wasn't it also really easy to bypass the update fee too? I owned an iPod Touch first Gen, first gen iPhone and never paid for iOS upgrades.

 

[tech4all]

In the end Apple makes their money on the premium they charge on their hardware. OS X now goes for $20. Who knows if Mavericks will go down even further or even free.

Then you have MS who have a million different of Windows and charge a premium to use it. In turn, PCs cost less. I have no plans on going completely over to Windows, but last year I bought on Windows laptop for under $300. Not going to get that on a Mac. No it's not a workhorse, but it wasn't bought for that purpose.

 

[aristobrat]

Was there one that cost $15 and the other $5 ?
I AM GLAD That apple doesn't charge anymore
imagine having to pay for each update.

If you're curious, he's an article that explains the funky accounting Apple originally had to do in order to provide free updates for the iPhone and AppleTV. To me, made since why they didn't do that type of accounting for the rest of the stuff they sold.

Anyhow, appears that Apple and other tech companies lobbied and had that accounting procedure changed in late 2009, which allowed for free iPod touch updates thereafter.

SOP 97-2 is the accounting standard that requires Apple to
recognize iPhone revenues and profits over a 24-month period.

The basic concept is that because Apple offers free software updates on the device, it has to recognize the revenues and costs over the life of the hardware.

After intense lobbying by several technology companies, however, FASB agreed to review the rule. The EITF (Emerging Issues Task Force), which is part of FASB, effectively reversed the rule in a meeting yesterday. At this point the new rule is a draft rule, but it should receive final approval in the next few weeks.

The new rule will allow Apple to recognize the iPhone hardware revenue and profit at the point of sale, while an estimated value for the software will be recognized over the life of the device.

http://www.businessinsider.com/henr...e-could-send-profits-and-stock-to-moon-2009-9

 

[APlotdevice]

Who knows if Mavericks will go down even further or even free.

I fear that "free" updates would come at the price of older devices losing support much sooner.