As if the
plethora of
other announcements out of the boys in Cupertino weren't enough today, Apple is also unleashing a software update for the
iPhone and
iPod Touch.
As we mentioned in December, the iPhone update to 1.1.3 adds a whole host of new features, including an update to the Google Maps app with location, which pinpoints your... well, location, using cell phone tower triangulation. The update also allows the customization of the home screen, and gives you up to 9 home screens to customize. Add web clips (glorified home screen bookmarks), text message several people at once (finally!), and now your iPod media will have subtitles, chapters, and lyrics.
The iPod touch picks up all the same feature s (minus the SMS and Location), and finally gets Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes and Weather just like the iPhone. The downside? The iPod touch update will cost $20, which is pretty surprising to us. The update will be installed on all iPod Touches shipping from this point on so we're kind of confused as to why Apple would charge for the update. Our advice -- wait it out. The complaints are bound to pile up until Apple changes course, just like with the
Airport Extreme N update, or
iPhone price drop.From
EngadgetRelated links:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LARRY @ Jan 17th 2008 4:37PM
I paid the twenty dollars for the IPOD Touch software upgrade and my unit is only six weeks old. I'm Mad at Apple for this when all the new units come with it for free at the same price.
Jackson @ Feb 22nd 2008 1:01PM
Personally speaking, 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