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)
capoman123 said 11:38AM on 1-23-2008
so how would you feel if you paid $300 (or the amount you paid)for an ipod touch without the extra apps, then 2 months go by and the people who pay the same amount THAT MONTH get the new apps and your stuck having to pay for the apps? is it your fault you bought the device too early? NO! apple can actually loose customers b/c then people might put it off until apple announces it will stop offering all these new apps to recent buyers of the device.
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Sean Brackeen said 1:16AM on 1-28-2008
I just bought an ipod touch at an Apple Retail store, and it had firmware 1.1.2 on it. What should I do? I should get the new apps.
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Thomas said 9:36PM on 1-29-2008
I live in a country where iTune store is not available. So even if we want to pay for the extra applications, we can't.
I agreed that US$20 is not really a big sum of money, afte rall we already paid for our iPod for US$400...
What I'm concern is, those of us living outside of US will not benefit from iPod Touch Software Upgrade. What if there's a new version 1.1.4 and there will support for 3rd party software, and we can't get those extra applications because we do not live in a country where iTunes Store is available?
We paid the same amount of money as those living in the US, yet we are being shortchanged?
I can't wait when Apple release their new patch with support for 3rd party software. I think there will be even more "noise".
BTW, don't blame people hacking their iPod... They don't have much choices unless iTune Store is available in every country...
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Jonathan Talavera said 10:09PM on 1-29-2008
I have a jailbroken 1.1.3 ipod touch hahahaha
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Jon said 12:17PM on 2-11-2008
Maybe it's been said and I missed it, but it seems to me that IF Apple developed new apps for the iPod Touch, then perhaps we could understand their need to recoup their costs. But they didn't. These apps were already developed for (and available on) the iPhone. I believe the only reason they weren't initially on the Touch as well was Apple's fear of losing iPhone sales. Apparently they rethought that concern and ported the apps to the Touch ... at no extra cost to new users and no additional development costs. So for this reason, the logic in charging initial iPod Touch buyers doesn't add up.
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Jackson said 4:03PM on 2-22-2008
I am outraged that Apple is charging early buyers of the iPod Touch $20 for a system update that ought to be free.
While I understand Apple's decision to charge money for the new applications the new $20 "application pack" also includes a SYSTEM UPDATE in the form of the home page editing, web clips, and lyrics features. All of these are updates to the currently existing iPod Touch software and NOT new applications, which means that they ought to be free to all users of the iPod Touch.
Adding insult to injury these applications are all hidden in the 1.1.3 system update, a whopping 104.4mb file that all users must download if they want to fix bugs in the system. These applications can only be used when you pay Apple $20 to "unlock" them, but even if you decide not to buy them they stay on your iPod taking up precious space that could be used for songs, videos, or photos.
Apple is normally wonderful when it comes to providing system support and updates, but having them shaft early adopters and loyal fans like this is offensive and shows that Apple has absolutely no regard for the iPod Touch community.
You can leave Apple direct feedback here:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipodtouch.html
You can also sign this petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/freeappi/petition.html
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me said 3:10AM on 3-04-2008
Fu** Steve Jobs, Fu** Apple.
what the hell are they thinking. I think that they should give us these application free. They force us update the firmware but clean third party application from our jailbroken iphone/ipod. they didn't provide us SDK and i don't know what the hell will happen when they provide SDK, i don't think it's easy for us to use third party application. If i pay money, i should can do any thing what i want with my thing, why do they wipe out my software.
If they dont want to provide us these application free, at least let us do what we want with our thing.
And again Fu** Steve Jobs, Fu** Apple's Strategy.
Any way, if someone do not agree with my thought, there is no problem. In my position, if i was Steve Jobs, i will provide it free. if he want to blame me, then my name is "me", he can say "Fu** me"~_~
OMG.
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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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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.