Will They or Won't They?

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/apple-to-charge-upgrade-fee-for-ipads-moving-to-ios-4/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/...oving-to-ios-4/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"As if waiting around until fall to get iOS 4 weren't enough of a downer for iPad owners, the latest rumor we're hearing is that they'll have to pay a fee in order to do so."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1264960943.usr105634.jpg" /></p><p>Several sites are reporting this "rumor" but, as pointed out at Apple Insider [<a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/07/20/apple_rumored_but_unlikely_to_charge_ipad_owners_for_ios_4_upgrade.html" target="_blank">link</a>], the charge would be a contradiction with their licensing agreement that states "the next major release would be free for hardware owners." So your guess is as good as mine but I'm hoping for free. What are your thoughts? Do you think the recent 3.2.1 is enough of an update to qualify as a "major release" and are you expecting to pay when iOS 4 for iPad comes out?</p>

[DaleReeck]

Pay for an update? I'm sorry, but I already paid Apple - $900 when I bought my iPad. Isn't that enough?

[Michael Knutson]

Considering that Snow Leopard was what, (?) $29 to upgrade, I can't imagine that any upgrade for the iPad would be more than say, $10. It's worth it to me to get some control over what's running -and- get folders. That being said, I hope that it's a free upgrade, although going from V3 to V4 would often be considered a major upgrade in the app dev world. We may see a 3.2.2 and the 3.2.3 or a 3.3 before that time - minor or point upgrades.

[Brad Adrian]

In light of its recent public relations fiascos, I'd think that Apple would be nuts to charge a dime for any kind of update. Even so, when is the last time that Apple has been congratulated for demonstrating extreme caution when it comes to managing customer opinion and response?