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234 Comments
- scootinger, on 03/18/2009, -24/+104As a Touch owner I find it to be wrong that Apple will intentionally disable a piece of functionality then charge to re-enable it....but it's not like Apple's never done it before. They did it a couple of years back by putting a Wireless-N network card in a number of Macs, then later charging $1.99 for an "enabler" app to enable the functionality. And of course they removed a number of iPhone apps from the Touch, then decided to charge Touch owners $20 to get the apps.
I wish Apple good luck on getting my hard-earned dollars again...I love my MacBook and Touch, but I'll simply stick with Hackintosh and non-Apple MP3 players from now on. As much as I would like to be able to buy Apple products, they've lost out on thousands and thousands of dollars in future purchases by treating customers (such as myself) like *****. - Eisen4, on 03/18/2009, -24/+69You paid for a device at it's current state of hardware rev and software development. They put the device out to market without the A2DP support because they hadn't developed it yet in software. You are paying for the hours spent developing that software.
I built a computer that will run Windows7 last year. And yet when Windows7 comes to market I fully expect to pay for it because it wasn't free to develop even though the hardware I already own supported its features years before its release.
Digg me down because I mentioned Windows7 btw. - TheCheeks, on 03/18/2009, -3/+41Woah, my Touch has Bluetooth?
- Niz1, on 03/17/2009, -20/+50I already have the hardware I don't see why i should pay to use it. I accept they can do this but it just seems like bad practise to me. I have a Nokia N82, if every 6 months progressively charged me $10 to unlock each feature it had the bluetooth functionality, GPS, Camera, wifi, 3G you get what i mean, it's just not right. First the buttonless iPod shuffle, now this? I admit they are almost incomparable but they are both bad decisions by apple.
edit:Actually it's the whole iPhone like 3.0 software goes along with it, it's justified. - inactive, on 03/18/2009, -2/+23Steve Jobs only beats me because he loves me.
- TylerDuhrdan, on 03/18/2009, -7/+28I am there with you.
My gripe with Apple came when Steve told me to piss off when it comes to Blu-ray, i wanted BD support for their "professional" editing and DVD authoring software, I went to Adobe.
I then realize that I was a Mac fanboy, then looked at what I was spending for a core 2 duo laptop, or machine, about 3 times more.
This last saturday I replaced my old macbook with my first actual PC, a brand new HP HDX18 laptop, and get this, it came with 2 hard drives, Blu-ray, eSata, and HDMI connection, all sorts of stuff that Apple will have nothing to do with, best part, I got it for the price of a new macbook (a return at a local Sams Club, i got lucky).
So, Apple can continue to charge for little extras, implement proprietary headphones in iPods, take 3 generations of software for copy/paste, and not offer Blu-ray support for their "professional" editing suite, they just wont get another dime from me ever again. When my 5th gen ipod officially dies, I will look into other brands for the first time. - Commodus, on 03/17/2009, -2/+21It's of course coming to the iPhone -- we already knew it had Bluetooth and that it could technically move to stereo Bluetooth with the right software.
- cardyology, on 03/18/2009, -8/+25Charging $9.95 to unlock bluetooth is a ***** thing to do. I imagine almost everyone who owns a touch will want this functionality & Apple have known & planned this from the very start. Charging to "unlock" functionality is wrong, its like the games that have the "DLC" already on the disc but you have to pay to unlock it. It's a nasty business model & we shouldn't support it. Dirty *****' bastards Apple.
- PhoenixAvatar2, on 03/18/2009, -3/+19How would tethering work with an iPod Touch? It only gets internet through WiFi.
- Quicksilver4648, on 03/17/2009, -2/+16This could be promising. Bluetooth headsets when on WiFi VOIP, Bluetooth GPS, Bluetooth controller/shell to play those games demoed, stereo Bluetooth to connect to sound system or wireless headset, and probably much more. I personally don't see why Apple didn't unlock it in the first place. Giving exclusivity just for Nike+ seems like a waste of hardware.
- Sherman901, on 03/18/2009, -3/+16Are you kidding?
- inactive, on 03/18/2009, -1/+14It's a ***** telephone or mp3 player, absolutely customers shouldn't be paying money for embedded devices' firmware updates. That's apple for you. INSERT COIN. For over 5 years, apple wouldn't let the quick time player do fullscreen playback unless you paid 30 bucks for the "pro" version.
- rshah, on 03/18/2009, -7/+20That made no sense. Its not like Dell put 7 on the computer but disabled it, and is now charging to re-enable it.
This is a dick move by Apple. It already has the chip, the consumer paid for the chip. The update should be free. - inotocracy, on 03/18/2009, -9/+22So let me see if I understand.. the touch has the hardware capability to do bluetooth, but Apple disabled it and is now charging a $10 ransom, er, fee to enable it? Sigh.
- KSUdesigner, on 03/18/2009, -5/+16Bluetooth is not a software feature, it is hardware. Hardware that is already in the device just waiting to be used. Except in order to use it you have to fork over $10 to apple. That's like an automobile company putting an extra airbag in your car, only to tell you later that if you want that airbag to function then you have to send them some money. It just doesn't make sense that it was never usable to begin with.
- Ares3, on 03/18/2009, -1/+12Just pirate the update like i did with the 1st gen Touch updates, saved myself $30.
- Setsuna7, on 03/18/2009, -5/+15So I should I pay Sony for the PS3 firmware updates and Microsoft for the XBOX360 and Windows Updates. You're talking about two different products(Windows 7 and your hardware). The iPod Touch is one product and forcing customers to pay to unable a built-in feature is kind of unethical and we shouldn't support companies that do business like that.
Bury me if you wish but Apple is not losing a ton of money but producing a quick fix to unable bluetooth to iPOD touch 2nd gen owners. Its better to make the customer think you care about them than nickel and dime for every little feature or group of features you produce. - Wayfarer12, on 03/18/2009, -0/+9It will be free for the iPhone.
- Numbski, on 03/18/2009, -1/+10In related news, if it's merely a feature unlock and not a driver overhaul, count the seconds until you can get it via Cydia.
- notjamt9000, on 03/18/2009, -0/+8But you can put whatever operating system and software you want on your Dell, you don't have to pay Microsoft if you want to write the driver to enable a bluetooth chip yourself, but Apple locks down the iPod touch, meaning the only (official) way to get bluetooth working is to pay them.
- kiiwii, on 03/18/2009, -3/+10Give me wireless syncing for my iPod Touch, please.
- dagamer34, on 03/18/2009, -7/+14People seem to think they are paying $10 for Bluetooth and nothing else. QUIT COMPLAINING. It's as if you believe iPhone users don't end up paying for the upgrade either (we definitely do in our phone bills).
Were it $10 for a Bluetooth enabler, then you could complain, but it's not. Go get a job if $10 means that much to you. No one advertised Bluetooth support when you bought your iPod Touch. - dobermaniac, on 03/18/2009, -1/+7If you own an touch and not a computer with wireless, there might be a problem. And to all who say desktops, when are you going to move your desktop to where it only has internet connectivity when you tether your ipod touch.
Why can't we get wireless syncing? - PeanutCheeseBar, on 03/18/2009, -0/+6We should feel special because they decided to unlock hardware that the second gen iPod Touch already had? Did you live under power lines as a kid?
- NeoTechni, on 03/18/2009, -1/+7Sony has been giving out free updates for the PSP and PS3 for years, same for MS and the 360. And they've added a ton more than Apple ever had. Charging for what should be free is dickish
- inactive, on 03/18/2009, -0/+6Archos tried this with Gmini, but it was advertised right up front. You had to pay to enable the FM radio. People threw a freakin fit and I think they might have been sued. Eventually they had to give the feature away for free.
Apple does this and they are heroes. - TheCoolestNerd, on 03/18/2009, -11/+17i don't pay for windows service packs, this isn't a whole new OS, its a freaking update.
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I also like the part about me being "dickish" for expecting basic functionality to a device that could have easily been put in months ago, apple's milking your money!
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"They pour an insane amount of man hours and resources into these releases"
Don't make me laugh.
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and last but certainly not least, "when I pay almost 10x that much EVERY SINGLE MONTH (which Apple in one way or another gets a cut of) to own an iPhone,"
There are other phones out there that do much more for half the price, fanboy. - bigsteve, on 03/18/2009, -1/+6Service packs aren't new features, new APIs, new libraries, new supported software payment models etc etc etc, a service pack (as defined by the major vendor who calls their updates "service packs") is just all the security plug patches since the last "service pack" rolled into one convenient download. Rarely much else.
You questioning what goes into crafting, then coding, then documenting an API has never been part of a project that has done so. Not only do you have to think ahead about how a user will use a specific library, you have to CODE that library, and then write pages of documentation on how you think other people will think when they go to use YOUR code. Then you have to test it, and test it again, and then think up a dozen weird ways to test it because it isn't YOU using that code. Don't make ME laugh. - pitdog, on 03/18/2009, -2/+7software was not ready for COPY&PASTE and some generic standard wireless transmission mode? are you pretending to be that naive? ;)
- AmazingSteve, on 03/18/2009, -0/+5While iPod users take it in the ass AGAIN. Didn't somebody get sued at one time for locking out existing hardware and then charging to unlock it? If BT is in my Touch, then I already paid for it thanks.
- kolobcreek, on 03/18/2009, -3/+8Hey Apple your BlueTooth Stereo on My CrapBook sucks ass! You should be ashamed it took you till leopard to get a2dp. I though Mac's were so music friendly. Why don't you fix the ***** choppy a2dp on your mac book before you screw it up on my iPhone? Why did you disable the ability of to send sms vi bluetooth from address book. You're all a bunch of money hungry WHORES!!!
- mrsteveman1, on 03/18/2009, -0/+5Yes, except they DID include the hardware, and refused to let anyone use it.
- bigdoof, on 03/18/2009, -2/+7faster6969, if you honestly believe what you just said, you're delusional.
Apple is charging an upgrade fee simply because they know the market will bear it, and not for any sort of convoluted accounting "requirement." Firmware updates for hardware are extremely common in the business and charging for updates is virtually unheard of. Video game consoles, cell phones, non-Apple media players, computers, etc etc etc frequently receive firmware updates that include significantly enhanced/modified features, and it's ridiculously rare that you'll ever have to pay for them.
It has nothing to do with tha "subscription basis" nonsense. It's a classic Apple money grab. - Octanum, on 03/18/2009, -1/+6It's not justified, it's minor and should've been included with the original firmware.
- dvsbastard, on 03/18/2009, -0/+5If every other hardware manufacturer charged for firmware / driver updates would you try to justify that too?
I hope no other manufacturers follow this model because I alone have updated my graphics card, bluetooth headset, router and DVD drive in the last few weeks, and I wouldn't be too impressed if I had to pay for it all! - bigsteve, on 03/18/2009, -1/+6Just for iPhones.
- atgmac, on 03/18/2009, -3/+8The description is slightly inaccurate. The $9.95 gives you the WHOLE 3.0 UPDATE, not just the bluetooth support. I don't see how this is a big deal. You pay (a lot more) when you upgrade the OS on your computer, what's so different about this?
In any case, the firmware will probably be available for free on apple's site if you look hard enough. It was when they released 2.0. - BlackKnight6, on 03/18/2009, -8/+13A whole new operating system isn't comparable to some basic feature. The device already had the hardware. When you buy a product, you get more than just its "current state", you also pay for support and updates for a limited time. OS's get updates and sometimes new functionality, games and software get new patchs (DLC is new content, not content thats dormant in the game and being "unlocked"), video cards and sound cards get new drivers (like in nvidias case, enabling Physx done on the GPU) ALL FOR FREE.
It's just a dick move to make money, period. - hotpuck6, on 03/18/2009, -0/+4If they TRULY needed to charge for this for "accounting purposes" they could charge as little as 1 cent. They know what they are doing, If you really believe everything they tell you, i'm sure they have a nice iBridge to sell you.
- inactive, on 03/18/2009, -1/+5So nice of Apple to allow us to use a generally available product found in most Computer, stationary and office suppliers stores.
Thanx Jobsie! - hongkongjapie, on 03/18/2009, -0/+41. OS 3.0 is not only about bluetooth (far from that)
2. Nowhere has apple advertised/listed the touch HAS bluetooth, it's quite common to get hardware that has a lot of stuff disabled and you'll never know (videocards that have features disabled to be sold in lower segments, SATA cards that have RAID functionality disabled/crippled in firmware, ...) - hongkongjapie, on 03/18/2009, -1/+5No they're charging $10 for a new OS. Don't recall MS giving out Vista free to XP users (maybe it would have helped). It sucks of course, but not really unexpected.
- vagarach, on 03/18/2009, -0/+4Or you know, just download the image from wherever you may and save the completely ridiculous fee.
- AmazingSteve, on 03/18/2009, -0/+4Where can I line up for 3 days to purchase this iBridge of which you speak?
- akeldama, on 03/18/2009, -0/+4@walkerdarin2003
The Office 03 to 07 analogy fails. More appropriate would be: Buying Office 2003, then having to pay Microsoft $1.99 for spell check, then $4.99 for grammar check, then $9.99 for cut/copy & paste and $9.99 for each minor patch leading up to the newest version of Office, that you will have to pay for in full.
"Hey, if you don't like the price of spell check, then don't buy it!" - bigsteve, on 03/18/2009, -1/+5Sorry faster, you brought a fact, but it derivated from the "What a rip-off! We need to pay for new features?" Waa-fest. AT&T pays Apple a lot more than you pay Apple when you picked out that shiny new iPhone 3G. You may have paid $199, but Apple got about $515.
AT&T paid the $9.99 for all the iPhone users. Get it through your heads. - akeldama, on 03/18/2009, -0/+4"Most devices would require you to buy a new device as the only way of getting new firmware, especially in the mobile phone world."
This is a bogus argument and does not apply to the smartphone world. There are many companies that offer free firmware updates for smartphones; Nokia, Palm and Microsoft immediately come to mind. - TheCoolestNerd, on 03/18/2009, -1/+4then that's the developers problem and i don't see why apple needs to make hundreds of thousands of dollars off users so that the dev's don't have to write as many lines of code. customers solving developers problems, HA!
- inactive, on 03/18/2009, -0/+3"I guess the fact that you're getting about 100 other features along with Bluetooth support still doesn't make the upgrade worth $10, huh?"
As an iPhone/iPod Touch developer, the last thing I want to see is people being forced to pay for firmware upgrades. Half of the users who bought their device within the past 3 months are going to feel like suckers for not waiting a while before plunking down their money. Who knows how many people are going to scoff at this and decide to buy another device by another company instead.
iPhone/iPod Touch are basically locked down consumer entertainment devices. The whole reason it exists is to make Apple money on every song and every app bought through their proprietary service. It's a closed system and all the extra functionality exists to entice people to buy into it. It's a kick in the crotch to make consumers pay for software upgrades for devices that only drain money from said consumers. Free firmware updates should be a selling point, the device gets better with time. Apple doesn't loose any money, they have to do it anyway to stay competitive. - r3zonance, on 03/18/2009, -0/+3@TheCoolestNerd
"Then that's the developers problem and i don't see why apple needs to make hundreds of thousands of dollars off users so that the dev's don't have to write as many lines of code."
So that you can have all those nice apps you so love you friggin' retard.
How difficult is it for you to comprehend. You obviously aren't a nerd or you wouldn't be asking these questions or making the statements you are.
It not just about devs writing less code. Accessing the hardware through APIs is inherently more secure, safer and more memory efficient.
Now STFU and stop trolling! -
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