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Will Apple charge to upgrade to the new OS?

E

echoburning

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2010
5
0
Hi all

I'm thinking about buying an iPad when it gets released here in the UK. I couldn't justify forking out so much for it, but we've all gotten an unexpected bonus at work :D

I understand that like most things there is never a definitive answer until Apple tells us, but do you think Apple will charge to upgrade to the new OS when it's released? I might just hang fire if that's the case and get it for the beginning of the new academic year!!

Thanks guys
 
The EULA that came with my iPad said the next OS update (OS 4) will be free.
 
See this link to a prior macrumors article that says that the updgrade to 4.0 will be free, but 5.0 and future upgrades will cost money (similar to iPod Touch).

https://www.macrumors.com/2010/03/2...gm-ipad-sdk-firmware-and-licensing-agreement/

Quoted from that article:

"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. 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."
 
I'm hoping they don't. However it's not a stretch to imagine they would. Still, what am I complaining for? I'll buy it anyway because of the similar features appearing in the iPhone OS4.

Edit: Sweet, glad somebody reads that stuff!
 
Tulipone said:
PBG4 Dude said:
The EULA that came with my iPad said the next OS update (OS 4) will be free.
Click to expand...
Wow, I just assumed that my pocket already had a hand in it. I look forward to the new os as some of the features will look really cool on the iPad, especially stacks.
Click to expand...

No... Wait... You were right... Your pocket has a hand in it... It's called the app store. :D

Let's see, I have Pages, Numbers, Air Sharing HD, and probably about a couple dozen little dollar apps so paying for an OS would pale by comparison.
 
r0k said:
No... Wait... You were right... Your pocket has a hand in it... It's called the app store. :D

Let's see, I have Pages, Numbers, Air Sharing HD, and probably about a couple dozen little dollar apps so paying for an OS would pale by comparison.
Click to expand...

Slightly off track, but I have much the same in apps, but nothing like I was expecting. iBooks are too expensive for me and very little grabs me. I love the iPad but suspect the best is yet to come with apps, books and magazines.
 
I think there was a change in GAAP (accounting principles) that lets them legallynot charge for substantial OS upgrades.

Although I'm sure there was a way to not charge for the iPod touch upgrades in the first place.. who knows ;)
 
Tulipone said:
Slightly off track, but I have much the same in apps, but nothing like I was expecting. iBooks are too expensive for me and very little grabs me. I love the iPad but suspect the best is yet to come with apps, books and magazines.
Click to expand...

There are thousand if not tens of thousands of free bookss in ibookstore.
 
Macjames said:
I'm hoping they don't. However it's not a stretch to imagine they would. Still, what am I complaining for? I'll buy it anyway because of the similar features appearing in the iPhone OS4.

Edit: Sweet, glad somebody reads that stuff!
Click to expand...

They usually have to charge for new OS updates to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley regulations because it is considered a "new feature". This is different from the iphone where your monthly service plan entitles you to free updates.

But since Apple is selling the iPad with the promise of a free update, you won't have to pay this time. It is considered a feature of this release.

I'm guessing that Apple felt they needed to do this to spur early ipad sales until 4.0 firmware is released. Otherwise, once people saw what 4.0 looked like on the iphone, they may choose to wait until the fall to purchase an ipad with 4.0.
 
eneisch said:
See this link to a prior macrumors article that says that the updgrade to 4.0 will be free, but 5.0 and future upgrades will cost money (similar to iPod Touch).

https://www.macrumors.com/2010/03/2...gm-ipad-sdk-firmware-and-licensing-agreement/

Quoted from that article:

"...Such updates and releases may not necessarily include all of the new software features that Apple releases for newer iPad models."
Click to expand...

hmmm. I wonder what the new iPad will have that our current iPads don't...camera? video? usb? I wonder if it'll be like 4.0 for iPhone & iPod touch were only the most recent and highest storage gets the updates.
 
Battlestar said:
iPhone OS 4.0 is free to all iPad users. After that everyone pays.
Click to expand...

Not really.

iPhone OS 4.0 will be free for all iPad users yes, but there's nothing that says 5.x or afterward will have a price. Apple is just reserving the right to charge for 5.x+ in its agreement and the right not to allow certain features for previous iPad models even if the previous model has the hardware to support it.
 
MikhailT said:
Not really.

iPhone OS 4.0 will be free for all iPad users yes, but there's nothing that says 5.x or afterward will have a price. Apple is just reserving the right to charge for 5.x+ in its agreement and the right not to allow certain features for previous iPad models even if the previous model has the hardware to support it.
Click to expand...

^^
 
What will happen with the jb ipads? Will an upgrade be possible, or will we have to start from scratch? Will the next os be jbable?

Thanks.
 
lokerd said:
What will happen with the jb ipads? Will an upgrade be possible, or will we have to start from scratch? Will the next os be jbable?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

The new OS will simply restore your device to factory default, meaning you'll lose the jailbreak. You also risk upgrading to newer bootrom that'll make it even harder to jailbreak and that means we could wait longer for something to come out. The jailbreak community already had a hard time with iPhone 3GS boot-rom and Apple is coming up with some new tools that'll make it almost impossible to jailbreak even if you have an older boot-rom and the shsh blob.

As for now, there is a jailbreak tool for iPhone OS 4 that hasn't been fixed yet by Apple, most likely fixed by the GM build.

Don't forget, the iPhone OS 4.x for iPad is coming out even later in the fall. So even if there are exploits in iPhone OS 4.x for the iPhones, chances are Apple will have them fixed by the time they release it for the iPad.
 
I do not know for a fact but if it's anything like the iPhone the answer is a resounding NO. On the other hand the WiFi only iPod touch does carry a $10 upgrade fee so possibly with the WiFi only iPads there will be a small charge. Very doubtful there will be a upgrade charge for the 3G iPad.

Ken

echoburning said:
Hi all

I'm thinking about buying an iPad when it gets released here in the UK. I couldn't justify forking out so much for it, but we've all gotten an unexpected bonus at work :D

I understand that like most things there is never a definitive answer until Apple tells us, but do you think Apple will charge to upgrade to the new OS when it's released? I might just hang fire if that's the case and get it for the beginning of the new academic year!!

Thanks guys
Click to expand...
 
Whorehay said:
I think there was a change in GAAP (accounting principles) that lets them legallynot charge for substantial OS upgrades.

Although I'm sure there was a way to not charge for the iPod touch upgrades in the first place.. who knows ;)
Click to expand...

Whether Apple charges for upgrades is up to Apple. They make a decision (yes or no) and then they are required to allocate and recognize revenue accordingly.

If they choose to always offer free upgrades then a greater portion of the unit price must be deferred over the period of time the upgrades will be offered. The reason is that they have not earned that money until they have delivered the updates. This prevents companies from showing high sales (that bring with them a future obligation) and conveniently not recording the liability of delivering that future obligation. If they choose not to offer upgrades then no deferral of revenue is needed and more revenue can be recognized at the time of the initial sale.

I don't think its just a GAAP issue. I think there are also VSOE implications.

Anyhow, the great debate that always ensues about whether they have to charge or not is moot. Apple decides the policy and then they must adhere to it. The policy can differ by device so it doesn't have to be uniform across iPad, iPhone and iPod.
 
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