Apple Charging for iPad Updates?

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/03/29/ipad_licensing_agreement_specifies_paid_annual_os_updates.html' target='_blank'>http://www.appleinsider.com/article...os_updates.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Apple has posted the terms of its firmware licensing agreement for the iPad, which restricts free operating software updates to the current major reference release."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/zt/auto/1269881720.usr105634.jpg" /></p><p>To quote from the documents found <a href="http://appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/content.info.apple.com/iPad/061-8032.20100403.CdWsa/iPadDocumentation_3.2.ipd" target="_blank">here</a>,&nbsp;<em>"Apple will provide you any iPad OS software updates that it may release from time to time, up to and including the next major iPad OS software release following the version of iPad OS software that originally shipped from Apple on your iPad, for free.&nbsp;For example, if your iPad originally shipped with iPad 3.x software, Apple would provide you with any iPad OS software updates it might release up to and including the iPad 4.x software release. Such updates and releases may not necessarily include all of the new software features that Apple releases for newer iPad models." </em></p><p><em></em>Sounds like the iPad updates will be more along the lines of the iPod Touch instead of the iPhone.&nbsp;</p>

[doogald]

Sounds like the iPad updates will be more along the lines of the iPod Touch instead of the iPhone.&nbsp;</p>

I have a different interpretation: they are guaranteeing that the device sold now will work through the iPad OS Version 4.x release, but that anything 5.x and above may not be released for it (due to the fact that the hardware could be incapable of running it well.)

Since Apple has abandoned the subscription accounting method for the iPhone and the Apple TV, I believe that they will abandon the fiction that Sarbanes-Oxley requires that an update to the OS must include a nominal charge for devices not sold with subcription accounting, because I have a hard time believing that they will start charging for iPhone OS updates. Perhaps they will prove me wrong, however.

[Jason Dunn]

I think it's reasonable to charge for updates if they are for a new version of the OS, but not reasonable to charge for patches or dot updates. I think Apple has this figured out pretty well.

[Macguy59]

Meh. I'm fine with it if they do charge a small fee after 4.x

[Sven Johannsen]

Sounds like the iPad updates will be more along the lines of the iPod Touch instead of the iPhone.

Well, it is more like a Touch than an iPhone isn't it? It doesn't have....a phone.

[Jason Dunn]

It doesn't have....a phone.

But some models will have a 3G modem with a monthly data contract...so those are more like an iPhone. :)

[Jeff Campbell]

And if I get a pair of these pants (http://www.cultofmac.com/ipad-pants-provide-coveted-dumpy-look/30105), I can put it in my pocket like an iPhone! ;)