Filed under: Security, iPod touch
3.0 is here, but where's the free security update for iPod touch 2.x?
TUAW reader Jim Carroll is worried: "It is crunch time for your site," he warned ominously in an email yesterday.
Jim is worried that security updates made available via the iPhone OS 3.0 updates last week will only be available to iPod touch users through the obligatory $10 upgrade. "Please use your power as an Apple site to raise the issue." Please, Jim. We're blushing.
"As a long time computer user I am unaware of a similar incident where a company would charge for security updates," he writes. Companies charge money for updates all the time -- operating systems and anti-virus software take time and energy to make, and companies want to get their investment back. Apple has been kind with free updates to Safari, but only because they gain revenue from it via the Search bar.
Apple has always charged iPod touch users for major updates, of course, but security updates have most often come free. 1.0.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.5, 2.1, and 2.2 all included security fixes, but were free to iPod touch users. (The latter two cases were free for those who bought the 2.0 update.)
1.1.5 is an interesting case. It was released a few days after the 2.0 update, and included security updates that were wrapped into the 2.0 update.
My advice? Have patience. This coming week or next, I have confidence we'll see an update for 2.x (2.2.2 perhaps?) that leaves out the new features, but includes the same security updates found in 3.0 at about $9.95 less.
We're also beginning to hear whispers of a 3.0.1 update for the device to help resolve WiFi issues in the new release; a German iPod user reports being told by an AppleCare representative that an update is expected shortly. Take that with the appropriately sized grain of salt.
Thanks, Jim & Oboewan!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
uhuznaa said 3:48AM on 6-22-2009
The fact is that Apple cares very much for iPhone owners and hardly at all for iPod touch owners. Why? Having iPhones hacked may prove extremely expensive (it's a phone after all) while a hacked iPod is a nuisance at best.
I think Apple will rethink here sooner or later, but for now this is it.
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Mr Lizard said 5:59PM on 6-21-2009
Apple best not charge for a security update.
If it needs patching, it means it wasn't secure and safe enough when we bought it.
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Mike said 12:14AM on 6-22-2009
Charge me for updates on a product still warranted against defect!?!
Please TUAW, Apple has no leg to stand on so don't ASS|U|ME or insinuate that Apple has an option of charging to fix 46 security vulnerabilities.
billcantfart said 6:00PM on 6-21-2009
I'm using the Gold Master update on my iPod. If I download 3.0.1 or any future updates from somewhere off the internet, and hit option+restore in iTunes, will I not have to pay?
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Julian said 6:25PM on 6-21-2009
Just download the firmware and install it for free :)
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DJFriar said 7:02PM on 6-21-2009
3.0.1 for WiFi wouldn't surprise me. My iPhone 3GS does have issues with WiFi here at home (all Apple equipment).
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reallycrazyguy said 7:06PM on 6-21-2009
My iPod Touch problem with wifi not automatically connecting to known access points was resolved by resetting the network settings, then re-adding the access point configurations back onto the Touch. After doing this, it will now automatically connect to them when it's "awoken", instead of only after an app tried to use the network.
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Stevensnewest said 7:20PM on 6-21-2009
If they do end up charging iPod touch users for security updates, then I can simply add that to my list of reasons why I won't be purchasing anymore Apple products in the future.
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Alex McKee said 8:55PM on 6-21-2009
That's illegal, right? I know it's on apple's server and all, but seriously!
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David said 9:17PM on 6-21-2009
I know a lot of you are not going to like to hear this but if I was Apple I'd declare 2.xx obsolete. People here trying to make 3.0 sound like a security update are way way off base. 3.0 fixes so much that it really should be a mandatory update. I'm sure that in some cases the fixes are so deep that back porting them all will be difficult.
In anyevent, please no more whining. Update to 3.0 and get it overwith. If you have to flip burgers for a couple of hours longer. Life is all about moving forward, driving through a sewer just slows you down and the stench is offensive to the rest of us.
Dave
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Johnny K said 1:48AM on 6-22-2009
Obsolete? 3.0 *just* came out! You've got to be joking here.
Lando Calrissian said 11:07PM on 6-21-2009
Ah, Jailbroken 1.1.4... Good times, goooooooood times.
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peter harris said 1:55AM on 6-22-2009
itunes decided to delete all my apps from the ipod touch
loseing all the stage scores
if it does it again will I have to buy them again
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Noah said 3:38AM on 6-22-2009
They better fix the high-pitch frequency sound heard after certain "sounds" on the iPhone... like when you send a txt message or lock the phone. Listen carefully, it's soft, but quite annoying.
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lyojeepthing said 8:01AM on 6-22-2009
Good Lord Mac Users. We pay premium price for premium product, however, now product is perfect. Especially something as new and revolutionary as the iPhone/Touch.
If this were 'just' a security update, or 'just' an update changing a few things and fixing a couple of bugs and they charged for it then yes, be upset.
But, for Christ's sake, for the price of less than a 12 pack of Guiness, or a nice bottle of wine, or about 3 gallons of gas, we are getting a world of updates, conveniences and fixes.
iPod owners pay monthly to use their iPhone, so there is constant income flow. Touch users is one time fee for an amazing piece of technology, buy it and stop complaining.
You haters probably complain every time stamps increase in price by .3 cents.
Keep it real Apple and charge for this one, but be careful about charging for future updates.
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Jash Sayani said 8:08AM on 6-22-2009
Apple really needs to spend time on Software Update releases.... Besides an iPhone, I also have an iPod Nano (2nd gen) which is capable of Genius as its only a software. I would love Genius on my Nano and Apple has only added the software to Nano 4th gen. How about an update for older iPods, Apple ??
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Grover said 5:00PM on 6-22-2009
"I am unaware of a similar incident where a company would charge for security updates,"
Really? I don't see many security updates coming these days for Tiger. Or Windows 2000 (and no, XP doesn't count...MS still sells XP). And these are systems that cost at least $100 when you bought them.
It's $10 guys, just suck it up. Would you rather they just said that the iPods aren't upgradable? Would that make you feel better?
"That's illegal, right? I know it's on apple's server and all, but seriously!"
When 2.0 came out, we were told by Apple specifically that they are legally required to officially charge for it, but the license it comes with allows you to install it on as many iPods as you like. So I don't think Apple cares too much.
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