iPod Touch Software
One of the smaller announcements of the day are the new applications released in a software update for the iPod touch. Mail, Maps, Notes, Widgets, Weather, and Stocks are all included in the iPod touch software update pack, which retails for $20 USD ($27 NZD).
Like many other Mac enthusiasts, I purchased the pack immediately after it was listed as available on the iTunes Store. One thing I reported on back in my iPod touch review was the lack of certain applications compared to the iPhone. This negative point can now be eliminated, and I expect to start enjoying the iPod touch even more so because of it.
I’m primarily excited about having my Mail with me on the go. Although needing a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect, it’s better than nothing which is the case here in New Zealand at the moment with the iPhone not yet for sale.
Equally impressive is the Maps application. I never expected it to be so useful, however it has already come into play once today offering me directions when I went for a drive this afternoon.
5 applications for $20, working out at $4 each. I know the Mail and Maps applications are alone worth $20 to me, so it really isn’t that much of a bad deal. I can see why some are disappointed with having to fork out cash for these additional pieces of software, but I’m not one of them.
#1
WaldoI was actually slightly disappointed with this years MacWorld, seeing though they only came out with “One Real Big Thing” the” Mac-Book Air.” Glenn, i think this is what should of originally came with the “IPod Touch” It’s common Apps that should be there, Adding mail was a pretty impressive move but other than that there all common apps. I think this was a week announcement, where as they could of said they were coming out with an ipod touch that holds allot more Gigabytes. ….Glenn….Are you gonna do any video replies regarding macworld?
#2
Umair AtaMe too, I thought that they would announce the new MacBook Pro Series, you know with 4 Cores. But anyway, the new applications for the iPod Touch are gr8. Maps and Mail are a gr8 addition.
What about MacBook Air? I am kinda confused whether to like it or not. I would still go for a MacBook or a MacBook Pro If I have to choose.
Anyway, Glenn, waiting for your thoughts on this years MacWorld.
#3
Aaron WatersHi Glenn,
Such a great update for existing and future iPod Touch purchasers - Good on Apple for supporting their products.
Looking forward to seeing your views on the rest of Macworld ‘08.
Cheers
#4
luke → lukemh.com
Oh thankyou for this positive review! I couldnt handle all the complaining at other blogs and forums. People just expect sooooo much for free these days. The ipod Touch came with the best web browser on a mobile device, safari - still people expect this to do everything an iphone does at a much lower price. 20 dollars is cheap for these apps, i dont want to jailbreak my ipod touch.
I hear people saying apple is evil, yet in the same breath announce they are going to jailbreak the ipod anyway to steal/copy the apps from the iphone. talk about evil.
anyways, thanks again.
#5
Hector A. Henry Sjogreen → www.blinkyit.com
Hi
I have in plane to buy one Ipod Touch this year, because here Colombia there its no son plat to bring the Iphone legally to oar county.
Off all the classes of I pod this its the one that most call my attention I really like it. And whit his application of course you remind me you first pots about this Ipod and you are right know there are more reason to buy it and enjoy it.
Take care
Bye from the seven color sea…
#6
Nathan → www.ishotimages.co.nz
I can’t believe that apple is charging $20 for the touch updates but apple TV and other updates are free! Come on Apple!
anyway I don’t have an iPod touch yet… I was hanging out for the iPhone but I may just buy the iPod Touch now and the iPhone later when it comes out.
#7
Alex RossWhy are many people upset about this, myself included? Because they stripped these from the touch in the first place knowing full well they would have worked, and now expect us to pay to have them added back in. This is a ridiculous practice for a company like Apple, and I won’t stand for it much longer. And I will absolutely NOT be paying for these iPhone apps this late in the game after paying nearly $400 for my touch in the first place.
#8
JackAlex Ross; you may not buy it, but I’m sure a lot of people will. So, I guess it was a smart decision on Apple’s behalf.
Look at the big picture. This kind of thing is done by countless companies, I guess Apple is just under the limelight more often, so these kind of choices don’t go unwatched.
#9
rmaspero → www.rmaspero.com
I bought them as soon as I could too but I am not sure if it is a bit expensive it is about £12 over in the UK and to me all I wanted was Mail and Maps like you they are the most useful apps of the bundle but I think it should have being cheaper.
#10
Joe Jacobs → joejacobs.tumblr.com
Yeah, overall, I was disappointed. But $20 for the apps is what tipped the scale. WHY?!
Early adapters have to pay $20 dollars, while new owners get them for free, along with iPhone users.
It’s just flawed.
#11
jayp80 → macsreview.com
It’s funny how everyone is looking at the ipod update as the big thing. Sure it’s nice and $20 isn’t that bad. But really from all they announced it was the least important one. Since we all knew it was coming anyways. It’s not the first time apple has released a product stripped down and then announced a update to it. I think we should be paying more attention to the Air, and ask ourselves if this is start of a wireless revolution. Picture this the Air “plugged” into a wireless usb hub, syncing data to a capsule. All this and only 2 power wires. Plug in a wireless mouse, a camera with a wireless SD card, and your ipod touch or iphone and we can finally have a truely wireless setup. Though it’ll cost you an arm and a leg, it’s finally possible.
#12
AngelI’ve owned various Apple products since 1993 and the one thing I’ve learned throughout all of those years is NOT to buy their 1st gen products. You usually end up getting the short end of the stick. I’ve often seen Mac users use that as an excuse and blame consumers for not realizing that, but it’s not a valid excuse. I think people are really starting to get tired of it as it is becoming a frequent problem. I know I am.
#13
Michael Mistretta → michaelmistretta.com
I don’t believe that Apple did this to be “evil” per se. Both the iPhone and the AppleTV were made so that Apple would be paid over a series of 2 years. This way, they could get around Sarbanes Oxley, and add new features without charging.
The iPod Touch, as I understand, is not like this. By law, Apple must charge for the new features. They did it for the 802.11n update for $1.99. Most likely, they charged $20, or $4 an app to keep it consistent with the prices they will use for third-party apps from the SDK.
Besides, you bought your iPod Touch without the apps. You don’t have to upgrade. It’s an option…
#14
Alex RossYes, I DID buy my touch without the apps, but I bought them knowing full well they could have included more iPhone apps but didn’t. What I did NOT know was that Apple would turn around and decide I now deserve these apps, but for a price, since I didn’t wait until now to purchase my touch. And sure, I’d pay $1.99 for this pack, but $20 is far too much for something they should have included in the first place.
#15
Andrew → www.infectedproject.com
I am disappointed that they decided to charge for something that should have been included with the Touch to begin with. It just does not seem like the “Apple” way of doing things. Just my opinion. The MacBook Air sure is sexy though! ;-)
#16
Aidan → www.theaidangirard.blogspot.com
I agree. The mail option will be very useful.
#17
ArnoldStill no Lightroom review. :-\
#18
Chris → fluidmarkup.com
I’ve had these apps on my 1.1.1 Touch since the day I bought it. It takes all of three seconds to jailbreak, and you can have all these new features for free.
#19
Jamiei just bought the apps and I think that the $20 dollars was worth it. mail is really useful, and i love the maps app.
#20
Stefaan → www.novoblog.be
Finally. I think I’ll buy the iPod Touch next week! Those apps are worth every penny.
#21
reemixx → www.reemixx.com
Can’t believe anyone would actually PAY for this software update - at least not until the SDK is released this year - when you can jailbreak your iPod Touch and have them for free. As Chris said three posts up, it takes all of 3 seconds, and there’s actually an app for it now, no risk involved.
It’s not that I expect things for free- I definitely do not. But it’s the fact that at Macworld, the software updates for both the iPhone and Apple TV were given for free (both having MAJOR updates) and yet Apple decided to charge a fee for the iPod Touch software update, basically making consumers pay for applications that were actually taken OUT of the software on purpose. It’s all marketing, people. Apple were extremely sly with this one, ’cause they know they can suck the money out of people. I love you Apple, but you’re not getting my money on this one.
#22
jacksonPersonally speaking, I am outraged that Apple is charging early buyers of the iPod Touch $20 for a system update that ought to be free.
While I understand Apple’s decision to charge money for the new applications the new $20 “application pack” also includes a SYSTEM UPDATE in the form of the home page editing, web clips, and lyrics features. All of these are updates to the currently existing iPod Touch software and NOT new applications, which means that they ought to be free to all users of the iPod Touch.
Adding insult to injury these applications are all hidden in the 1.1.3 system update, a whopping 104.4mb file that all users must download if they want to fix bugs in the system. These applications can only be used when you pay Apple $20 to “unlock” them, but even if you decide not to buy them they stay on your iPod taking up precious space that could be used for songs, videos, or photos.
Apple is normally wonderful when it comes to providing system support and updates, but having them shaft early adopters and loyal fans like this is offensive and shows that Apple has absolutely no regard for the iPod Touch community.
You can leave Apple direct feedback here:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipodtouch.html
You can also sign this petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/freeappi/petition.html
#23
EvanI am loving the mail app too being able to have it with me everywhere is awesome. I love my touch typing this up on of now.