Filed under: iPod Family, Bad Apple
iPod touch owners rally to get new apps for free
When Steve Jobs announced five new apps for the iPod Touch yesterday, people were ecstatic -- for about ten seconds. Once he mentioned the upgrade would cost current iPod touch owners $20 (they're included on all new units), most of the comments from participants following the keynote in TUAW's IRC channel were largely unprintable. Apple's customers aren't usually the sort to take things lying down, however, so now there's an online petition calling on Apple to make the apps free to current customers. As I write this, there are close to 600 signatures and climbing.
It's worth noting that Michael Rose and John Gruber pondered the possibility of iPod touch updates and user costs back in October 2007, as Apple's quarterly earnings report indicated that the iPhone's subscription accounting model was not being used for the touch. At the time it wasn't clear what would happen when functional updates to the iPod touch were released; now we know that they come with a price tag.
[Thanks, Daniel!]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Fred said 3:04PM on 1-16-2008
Good for them. I hope they get them.
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Carlos said 6:02PM on 1-16-2008
My understanding is that the accounting for Apple TV and the iPhone accounts for future upgrades in the original purchase price of the device. So technically updates aren't 'Free' you paid for all future updates upfront when you bought the device.
With the iPod Touch Apple used its normal accounting method so any future updates would have to be paid for. I don't know why it has to be $20 instead of $1 - maybe it has to be close to the estimated market value of the update?
This has happened before when 802.11N was unlocked on the iMacs as a paid update.
You guys can blame Enron and Sarbanes Oxley that came out as a result.
My big question would be how is the price decided - If the update must be accounted for why not just charge $1 ??
Bill said 8:16AM on 1-17-2008
Why in the world is everyone getting their shorts in a bunch over $20?
The engineers worked to upgrade the product... what? Apple should just do this for free? It's not a bug fix update people, it's an UPGRADE with useful NEW features.
Just because I supported Adobe and bought the Creative Suite 2 doesn't mean that I should get the CS3 upgrade for free. If I want the new features that CS3 sports, then I should pay for them. If I don't, then I stick with CS2.
As far as I'm concerned if you bought an iPod Touch in the last 60 days, the upgrade should be free. Everybody else? If you want the new features, pony up the 20 bucks and quit whining... or don't.
Fred said 10:41AM on 1-17-2008
Dude, I don't think you get it. It's spitting in the eye of the people who supported your new product. Technically, you are right, it is an upgrade. You got what you paid for. Yada, yada, yada. But why are you gonna cheap out on people now? You have the update, you've already paid for the development to bring the new Touch up to speed, so why not just put it out there for free, and keep your people happy. Apple has the most loyal customer base of any company out there, and moves like this diminish that. Why is that so tough for some of you? And then to hide behind some curtain of "SOX Compliance" is utter garbage. If it was SOX then why not just charge $2? Or better yet why not just come out, and say, "Hey sorry folks, it's SOX."?
Michael Gibson said 4:13PM on 1-19-2008
When Apple and Microsoft comes out with upgraded OS, nobody quivers over paying hundreds of dollars, how come so many people are making an issue about paying $20.00 for these apps. I would have paid $100.00 if that was the cost. The satisfaction I derive from using these apps is much, much more than the $20.00 I paid. I think the value is priceless. In fact, it is valued more than paying hundreds of dollars to see my favorite basket ball team in a season. The first night I downloaded it I spent about 4 hrs playing around with them. The satisfaction Apple has given me over the years (since 1985), I cannot possibly repay them. I think the problem is when people are accustomed downloading software, music, and movies for free over the years, they expect everything to come like that. By the way all my software, videos, music, etc, I have on my computer, I purchase them. If I cannot afford to purchase them, I do without.
Fred said 5:19PM on 1-19-2008
Mike, I have no doubt that Steve Jobs appreciates your attitude, and that's why he and the rest of Apple thought it was OK to charge $20 for a few widgets. I don't think it's outrageous to charge $20 for a few little apps. I think it's outrageous that they're charging early adopters, and giving these away for nothing to new buyers of the Touch. As far as the pleasure you have derived from said applications. I'm really glad to hear that you are getting that much from them, but I think it might be time to back away from the computer, and go outside or something.
Sauce said 3:11PM on 1-16-2008
I feel the same way about Apple demanding a $20 charge for the update, but this petition is so poorly worded that I am hesitant to add my signature. I doubt petitions like this one really carry much sway with Apple in any case.
Instead, I would recommend that disgruntled users let Apple know how they feel directly.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipodtouch.html
I really hope that Apple sees the light here and offers up this update to users for free.
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Craig said 3:14PM on 1-16-2008
When I first read that my touch was getting apps I was like: woot! Then I read I had to pay and I thought nothing of it. Now I've got them im thinking wtf is up with apple now? Did I really pay for stocks??? Mail and maps are good, but I think it was a impulse hype buy.
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Kevin said 3:14PM on 1-16-2008
This is just like the ipod games all over again. Its extra so it costs. I dont see what the big problem is over $20? Its still a whole lot cheaper than an iphone and has almost everything apart from the phone side of things.
Theyve seen a lot do it for free and are now offering an alternative. If you want it buy it, if not...don't.
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DerekF said 3:28PM on 1-16-2008
I think there are a couple reasons why people are so mad, for those that don't understand - it's not a money issue.
#1 - People who buy the iPod Touch now get them for FREE (e.g., everyone else is being penalized for supporting the company and buying the iPod Touch when it first came out)
#2 - Other updates released yesterday were FREE (even though Apple TV, in particular, is almost an entirely new rewrite of the entire interface)
That's really it. I mean, I'll probably buy the update at some point as well, but I have to say it really just disgusts me that after dealing with numerous first generation issues, early adopters are getting the shaft. I know Apple did this with the iPhone too, and it just makes me question the company and if I really want to support them as much as I have with my hard-earned money.
Dale said 3:55PM on 1-16-2008
I'm with Derek on this one. It's nothing like games. Games are not suddenly standard features otherwise identical models of the same device.
While I don't agree with the fuss people are making, I still don't see that users should be paying $20 to get these feature updates - with many companies, this would just be a free firmware revision.
ChillyWilly said 4:13PM on 1-16-2008
Derek said exactly what I would.
Hoping Apple will respond at some point to their pointless and puzzling tactic.
Calvin said 5:58PM on 1-16-2008
DerekF: It seems like semantics to me. People don't want to pay for "updates", but seems more willing to buy it by another name. For example, I bought my MacBook 8 months ago with Tiger & iLife '06. Now the new MacBooks come with Leopard & iLife '08. There are new functions in Leopard & iLife '08, but the same can be said for the $20 iPod Touch "apps".
Poor marketing on Apple's part (should have just name the $20 package with a distinguishing name like "____ '08"). Nonetheless I think Apple realizes it can't please everyone.
DerekF said 8:48AM on 1-17-2008
Calvin: You may consider it semantics, but let me expand on your point. When Apple released Mac OS X 10, the first major release (10.1 Puma) was also FREE from Apple. Why? Because they realized that the early adopters should be compensated for their assistance in making the OS better, and as apology for users having to deal with first generation issues.
I see the difference between updates to a MATURE product - the iPod Touch as it was released was NOT a mature product. Throw in the fact that all of the new features in the firmware are not available until users pay the application tax, and I think the situation is intolerable.
It's not like I'm going to pull a UserFriendly and go and destroy my iPod Touch in Apple's lobby, but it's not like I'm going to be jumping up and down to buy their latest products now either.
Jamus said 3:19PM on 1-16-2008
You. Do. Not. Have. To. Buy. It.
You may buy it if you want it, but you do not have to buy it to keep using the device that you paid money to own. If you want it, spend the $20 and be glad you are getting new improvements to a device that you were evidently happy enough with to purchase in the first place. Sheeeeeesh.
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mentalsticks said 3:26PM on 1-16-2008
Those. Periods. Are. Bloody. Irritating. Please. Don't. Use. Them. Also. I. Think. Your. Opinion. Is. Stupid.
Fred said 4:12PM on 1-16-2008
It goes beyond that, "You don't have to buy it" thing. It's a terrible precedent to set to charge $20 for what are essentially widgets and something that really ought to be free. It'd be one thing if EVERYONE was being charged for the update, but that's just not the case. I would certainly not advocate stealing either but I wonder if it's possible to DL the update and install it without paying (do you pay for the download or the activation of the widgets?)
willyu34 said 7:38PM on 1-16-2008
But I paid the same amount of money as the next person who just walked into the store to buy his iPod Touch. Why does HIS/HER iPod Touch has these new apps but I don't? and that I have to pay $20 to be in the same position?
dan said 3:19PM on 1-16-2008
Unfortunately, this is probably a preview to the third party apps coming to the iPhone.
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Steve said 3:22PM on 1-16-2008
So, you people can fork over $300+ for a fancy shmancy MP3 player and buy overpriced accessories for it, but don't want to pay $20 for this update? lawlicopter.
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