Future Software Upgrade

[maflynn]

Touch updates have never been free because their is no subscription. I suspect the iPad will be treated like the Touch or Mac... minor updates will be free but major upgrades will cost $.

not being an owner of an iPod touch, I couldn't tell you if it was free or not, but as I mentioned. I bet the iPad touch, err umm iPad will follow suit.

 

[t0mat0]

Touch updates have never been free because their is no subscription. I suspect the iPad will be treated like the Touch or Mac... minor updates will be free but major upgrades will cost $.

Wasn't the charge to Touch users mentioned in the last quarterly talk APple had a week or so back? I thought that because they changed from the old style accounting method (GAAP), back to the normal previous method, that they might not have to.

I'd imagine Seekingalpha or other http://www.ticker.com/index.php?page=earnings_calls_transcripts&id=36207&next=21

have some info on it.

 

[Jaro65]

If you can't come up with $5, you've got bigger worries than an iPad not running the latest OS.

And if you're already stealing internet and software, stealing another five bucks ain't going to be much of a stretch of your ethical envelope either.

An interesting post. Though it made me think, and I do concur with your perspective.

As far as the OPs question goes, I would expect iPad s/w upgrades to use a similar process used with an iPhone. Having said that though, and since Apple is likely going to be positioning the platform as a potential future computer replacement, I wouldn't be surprised if they started charging for its s/w upgrades. But like bobob said, if this really worries someone, the person has bigger issues to deal with altogether.

 

[yyy]

I think they would, just as they expect you to pay for major Mac OS X updates. I guess it's different with the iPhone since most iPhone users sign a contract or at least spend some money on calls so Apple takes that into account.

 

[r0k]

Apple has an ongoing revenue stream with iPhone based on cell data subscription. It turns out they have an ongoing revenue stream with iPod through music and app sales but it's not as predictable. I suspect software updates which make it easier for you to buy stuff will be free. Those which are focused on features end users want will come at a price. If the revenue stream for iPad proves good, ie lots of ebook, periodical, and app sales, then all software updates will likely be free.

I just had another thought: Who knows. Maybe Apple will tie free updates to activity in your iTunes account. They have the data and they could do it. "Good customers" would get a "coupon" for free iPad software updates and the rest of us would have to shell out a few bucks.

 

[goobot]

i can download it from apple servers 100% legal and free anyway.

 

[greygray]

i can download it from apple servers 100% legal and free anyway.

Ugh what? For the iPhone or iPod touch? Never knew of this for the iPod touch.

 

[bozzykid]

Actuality this is not true. An example is the iTunes music store. Despite being the largest music store in the world it has sold less than a billion songs. While a billion sold sounds (and is) impressive that would only be a few hundred million $s since it first opened. This is less than peanuts on Apple's revenue sheet and when you have over $30,000,000,000 in cash and taking in almost $10,000,000,000 a quarter a couple of hundred million is just chump change. Apple makes it's real money off selling hardware and iTunes/App store is primarily just bait to sell more hardware.

Apple doesn't make 30% of each sale on the iTunes Music store like it does the App Store. The App Store is generating serious revenue for Apple.