Today's Announcements: The Untold Story

[Loge]

it makes plenty of sense to distribute itunes for free, as it generates money from the itunes store. didn't apple announce selling their 4 billionth song from itunes today? the number would not have been nearly that high if people were required to buy itunes software.

Sorry, I wasn't being clear. I can see it can make sense to distribute software for free, but the suggestion has been that Apple had no choice about making software for the touch available for free.

When the SDK comes, I expect some will develop free software and others will develop commercial software. Will it then be OK for Apple to provide software free if they choose to do so?

 

[JohnHawkins]

OK, so why is iTunes treated differently, then? New versions come out from time to time with new features (yesterday, ), but existing Mac owners aren't being asked to pay for it.

Note, I'm not moaning about the $20, looks good value for what it is, just trying to understand where the distinction is.

shhh or else they will catch on

 

[lavem]

This may have already been mentioned but what if you are constantly buying songs from the iTunes store? I've purchased about the 350+ songs. I know it isn't a constant revenue stream for them but it should count for something. I don't like being taken for granted.

I don't see the value in this software so I'm not buying it. It would have been a nice gesture to get it for free. I just think apple are being a bit tight.

New touches shouldn't come with the extra software either. When you buy a new copy of OSX you don't get the iLife apps do you?

 

[gifford]

Do you think the word "should" means a damn thing to Apple? (Arrogant greedy ****s that they are) Nope.

There's a lot of things that they should do but never will. Sad what's become of them.

Hey? They could be a lot worse!

In-fact in comparison so almost any other company I think the total opposite.
95% of people who think this about apple are normally mistaking the policies of the studios or music labels for those of apples.
I read every day how 'apple is a bastard cos they xxxxxxxxxxx' , when I know for sure that they are taking the flak for the greed of others.

 

[nomad01]

Don't know what's so tough to understand. They are indeed taking the piss charging for that little upgrade. While it may be worth it, it's still just pure greed on Apple's part, which is fast becoming what they're really all about.

When Apple release new games for the iPod, nobody expects to get them free.

Yesterday, Apple released new apps for an iPod (touch) so what's the difference?

I think the big difference is that iPhone users are getting the same thing for free.

 

[aLoC]

If it was just to get around a legal requirement, surely they would charge some token amount, like $1.

No, they want people to think of iPod upgrades as similar to OS X upgrades and be prepared to pay for them.

 

[Cloudane]

I thought it was a bit cheeky to charge for features that should've been included in the first place.

Then again, you're unlocking features that weren't there before on a device that doesn't make them a lot of money (and detracts from iPhone sales). Right from the beginning I've thought that the Touch was created grudgingly in response to pestering/rumours, and never really fit in with their business model. And £12 is hardly going to break the bank anyway.

At the end of the day I just paid the money, did the upgrade and moved on with my life.

 

[samh004]

Interestingly that new wifi-mapping feature found my location in Hong Kong. I'm using only an iPod touch and it pin-pointed me pretty darn well, so I am very impressed with the feature and not at all upset about it's cost. Well worth it. I just wonder if it'll be as good in Australia...

When Apple release new games for the iPod, nobody expects to get them free.

Yesterday, Apple released new apps for an iPod (touch) so what's the difference?

I think the big difference is that iPhone users are getting the same thing for free.

They (iPhone users) always had them as part of the package, they're not getting them for free, they paid for them when they bought the iPhone. The iPod touch didn't come with a camera, or bluetooth, or a phone, because it's a different device and to differentiate it even more it didn't come with a few applications.

Now, probably due to obvious pirate use of the iPhone apps, they've had to make some changes. I'd imagine a big reason is that with both devices now having the same applications, there'll be less of a need to jailbreak by some users, thereby regaining some security on the device.

The fee is small, they're not going to or trying to make money on it, but they're saying that these features weren't there when you bought an iPod touch and they're only here now because your pushing so hard for them.

 

[aswitcher]

Maybe they could give all us iPod touch upgraders some free game credit when they finally get games

 

[smurfjammer]

This may have already been mentioned but what if you are constantly buying songs from the iTunes store? I've purchased about the 350+ songs. I know it isn't a constant revenue stream for them but it should count for something. I don't like being taken for granted.

I don't see the value in this software so I'm not buying it. It would have been a nice gesture to get it for free. I just think apple are being a bit tight.

New touches shouldn't come with the extra software either. When you buy a new copy of OSX you don't get the iLife apps do you?

But when you buy a new iPod Touch you're buying HARDWARE not software, same as you bought a new mac you would get the latest OS and bundle applications (iLife)
Saying that the current updated iPod Touches shouldn't come with the new applications, is like current Mac's shouldn't come with OS 10.5 because they originally came out with OS 10.4

 

[codedifferent]

Enabling Location Based Services on the iPod touch is probably worth the $20

In my opinion the Location Based Service feature which is delivered with the 20$ upgrade is really worth it. Steve Jobs showed the LBS integrated in Maps in his keynote. Apple cooperates with Skyhook Wireless to realize a Location service by triangulating the beacon signals of surrounding WiFi networks which are known to Skyhook Wireless.

Hopefully Apple will enable app developers and web developers to use the Location service also when they release the iPhone SDK.

For all of you who want to check the functionality of that location service on a Mac ... Skyhook just released a Firefox toolbar plugin for Mac OS X called Loki.

 

[willdenow]

More Apple Greed

How many times is Apple going to milk this cow? To all those Apple shills who told me that my iPod Touch lacking many of the applications found on the iPhone for technical reasons - phooey on you! Their availability now proves that their inclusion was always feasible. Picking my pocket for the privilege of adding functionality that could and should have been there to begin with is despicable. Didn't you guys learn from your iPhone fiasco. This combined with the seriously overpriced and underpowered MacBook Thin only reinforces my attitude regarding Apple. It's all about the Benjamins, customer satisfaction and allegiance be damned. It's simple greed. For Christ-sakes, you guys only pulled it out of the toilet ten years ago, do you seriously want to go there again? If you keep treating customers with Microsoft high handedness, you'll be back there again! Dieux et Mon Droit, doesn't even work for the Queen of England anymore, it certainly doesn't for you, Mr. Jobs.

 

[willdenow]

I bought a macbook två years ago and simply REFUSE to pay to get more RAM memory which comes pre-installed in the new ones!

/sarcasm

Ha, ha, except for the fact that Apple will rip you a new one to the tune of 3 times market rate for additional RAM. Can't see that you got much to be pleased about.

/sacasm back at ya/

 

[maestrokev]

How many times is Apple going to milk this cow? To all those Apple shills who told me that my iPod Touch lacking many of the applications found on the iPhone for technical reasons - phooey on you! Their availability now proves that their inclusion was always feasible. Picking my pocket for the privilege of adding functionality that could and should have been there to begin with is despicable. Didn't you guys learn from your iPhone fiasco. This combined with the seriously overpriced and underpowered MacBook Thin only reinforces my attitude regarding Apple. It's all about the Benjamins, customer satisfaction and allegiance be damned. It's simple greed. For Christ-sakes, you guys only pulled it out of the toilet ten years ago, do you seriously want to go there again? If you keep treating customers with Microsoft high handedness, you'll be back there again! Dieux et Mon Droit, doesn't even work for the Queen of England anymore, it certainly doesn't for you, Mr. Jobs.

So you bought an iPod touch even though it was lacking features you wanted? Was anyone pointing a gun to your head? What does this say about your intelligence? No product that I've purchased in my life has been perfect, there's always something I wish it had, but I was happy enough that I paid for it. You don't like a product the way it's being sold, keep waiting and waiting until it's perfect! Get over yourself.

 

[beate]

This may have already been mentioned but what if you are constantly buying songs from the iTunes store? I've purchased about the 350+ songs. I know it isn't a constant revenue stream for them but it should count for something. I don't like being taken for granted.

I do Royalties for a couple of record companies. They get most of the revenue. In my estimation, Apple keeps very little for all the storing, cataloging, admin, selling/invoicing/collecting & accounting to the record companies.

 

[lavem]

But when you buy a new iPod Touch you're buying HARDWARE not software, same as you bought a new mac you would get the latest OS and bundle applications (iLife)
Saying that the current updated iPod Touches shouldn't come with the new applications, is like current Mac's shouldn't come with OS 10.5 because they originally came out with OS 10.4

I did buy the HARDWARE.

 

[nomad01]

Ha, ha, except for the fact that Apple will rip you a new one to the tune of 3 times market rate for additional RAM. Can't see that you got much to be pleased about.

/sacasm back at ya/

That's not really sarcasm though is it now?

You don't have to buy the RAM from Apple. You don't have to buy new applications for your iPod.

Will you be complaining that Apple aren't giving you free games for your iPod when they get released too?

 

[Dale Sorel]

I just bought a Touch on January 1, and knew I'd be within the 14 day return period when Macworld hit. I just got off the phone with an Apple rep who set me up so I will get a full credit for the new software.

 

[smurfjammer]

I did buy the HARDWARE.

Yes and got what was advertised at the time, there was no stocks, maps, mail etc. included and now they have updated the core OS to contain the new applications or the option to buy them.
If you bought an iMac with OS 10.4 months before OS 10.5 came out, you don't expect get OS 10.5 for free - you have to pay for it.

 

[iEdd]

Sigh, there will always be whingers. Just like the $2 (or was it $1?) 802.11n upgrade. Sure, this isn't as pathetic as that, but jesus christ. You iPod touch is the same as it was yesterday, but today you can choose to upgrade it for a price. That is only a positive thing. Sometimes I think the whingers would rather be left with a device that couldn't be upgraded at all.

Yes and got what was advertised at the time, there was no stocks, maps, mail etc. included and now they have updated the core OS to contain the new applications or the option to buy them.
If you bought an iMac with OS 10.4 months before OS 10.5 came out, you don't expect get OS 10.5 for free - you have to pay for it.

Couldn't agree more. Some people just expect a free lunch all the time and don't realise that it takes work to develop these apps. From what I have heard, they are well worth the small cost.

 

[Music_Producer]

I think the upgrade should be free, because I've already paid 400$ for a top of the line product and I don't see why I should pay more to get something another equally expensive product gets for free.

Yeah, you would think that after paying British Airways over $9500 for a first class ticket.. I would get a $50 baggage allowance for free?

Sheesh. I am sick of people complaining all the time.. I don't know if it's just the US but I see a trend of consumers whining day and night. First, they want a $50 airline ticket.. won't pay more. Then they complain if the on board food is not free!

 

[Bonte]

why not have live gps?

Just saw a GPS device for the first time. (I live in the middle of nowhere in the country of Hungary.) My mother-in-law has one.

She paid for the ipod touch looking device, and it plays music, shows photos, has live GPS that even shows her street (in the middle of nowhere) and no monthly charges.

This is cool as can be. Its like the ipod touch (you touch and scroll the map with your finger, etc.), but the ipod touch doesnt have live GPS

Anyone, seriously, know why? Is this something to far fetched for apple.
I mean I live in the middle of nowhere and this technology exist...so is it a political one. (there ties with ATT and google) or whats up?

Someone that knows about this (probably most of you) please enlighten me.

Peace

dAlen

Most of the GPS devices these day's have a touch interface with music, photo's and some also movies. Most of them on the other hand are to big to carry around a lot, don't have exelent webbrowsing, no PDA functionality, no usable onscreen keyboard, no mail an not to great in battery-life.

Soon there will be extra 3P apps and the the full power of the iPhone and touch will be unleashed, pricing for extra software will probably be around $5 making it the cheapest PDA, game handheld and smartphone in the world.

 

[espoir]

Guys - you forget that the 20$ update is the problem only for those who already have the device.

Why new users of the same product (!!!!) should get it bundled and others not?
It's not iPod Touch 2 or something - but for some of us it should apply some extra charges. WHY?

 

[teme]

If these new applications would be an extra features, it would be ok to charge for them. However, I think they are basic features because they are included to all new iPod Touches.

So basically, if Apple wouldn't include these apps to any iPods and all customers would have to buy them separately, charging for them would be ok. However, Apple says this is "January Software Upgrade" and charges for it, and that is the fact I don't accept.

If Apple has to charge for new features because some law, I think the price would be lower. Apple is just greedy and they have decided that "hey, we could get more money if we don't give these updates freely".

 

[espoir]

Don't forget about Apple TV

We have many new fitures AT NO CHARGE for both new and existing customers... But there are something really new!

And in iPod Touch - there was nothing developped - all thoses fitures have been thrown away and now Apple is just putting them back!