So tell me this: why is the new software update free for iPhone but it costs $20 for the 'Touch?

[space-time]

I don't have either of them yet, so I don't really care, but is puzzles me that one minute ago (*) Steve said the iPhone is not standing still and they're proud to offer the software update for free, and one minute later, talking about the 'Touch, it's built in into every new 'Touch, but it costs $20 to update an older 'Touch.

Different standards?

(*) I am watching the keynote

[GGD]

Because the iPhone owners are known whiners about this sort of stuff, and this is a test to see if the iTouch owners are similar.

[stephen]

Because Apple already has a continuing revenue stream for the iPhone.

[pRICE cUBE]

[quote GGD]Because the iPhone owners are known whiners about this sort of stuff, and this is a test to see if the iTouch owners are similar.
Wow, you just took the words right out of my fingers.

[RAMd®d]

Now now, GGD, just because you have one doesn't mean you need to be one.

Watch the video again. See *exactly* what Stevie said instead of putting your own spin on it.

The update for the iTouch is not the same as for the iPhone.

[Mike Johnson]

They're not the same at all!

With the Touch, you get Mail, Notes, Stocks and Weather -- all new to the Touch! Sure, those apps were already on the iPhone. And yes, Apple could've included them on the Touch from day one. But Apple chose not to. And now it's up to you! Apple's giving consumers choices. And anybody who paid $400 for an iPod has surely earned the right to choose whether or not to pay an additional $20 for applications Apple withheld until now!

With the Touch, you get the exact same Maps feature as the iPhone, only different! Since there's no cell phone reception on the Touch, it won't triangulate off of cell towers. But that's okay, because even if it did, you'd still have to have a wifi signal to download the map, right? So you might as well just ask somebody for directions. In other words, you're getting a completely gratuitous map feature you'll never ever use! See, Apple's always thinking two steps ahead!

And just like the iPhone upgrade, Touch users will get the new web clips application, and the ability to rearrange icons, and pay for and watch iTunes movie rentals. It's almost like your $400 iPod is as good as a $400 iPhone, just without the phone. Or camera. Or free updates.

And it doesn't stop there! This is the "January Update." More $20 upgrades are on your way! Like Steve said, there are still fifty more weeks of the year! Bank on it!

But wait, there's more! the $20 update will also let you access music lyrics, just like you could on your old iPod!

So, see, they're totally different!

[Carthaigh]

[quote Mike Johnson]They're not the same at all!

With the Touch, you get Mail, Notes, Stocks and Weather -- all new to the Touch! Sure, those apps were already on the iPhone. And yes, Apple could've included them on the Touch from day one. But Apple chose not to. And now it's up to you! Apple's giving consumers choices. And anybody who paid $400 for an iPod has surely earned the right to choose whether or not to pay an additional $20 for applications Apple withheld until now!

With the Touch, you get the exact same Maps feature as the iPhone, only different! Since there's no cell phone reception on the Touch, it won't triangulate off of cell towers. But that's okay, because even if it did, you'd still have to have a wifi signal to download the map, right? So you might as well just ask somebody for directions. In other words, you're getting a completely gratuitous map feature you'll never ever use! See, Apple's always thinking two steps ahead!

And just like the iPhone upgrade, Touch users will get the new web clips application, and the ability to rearrange icons, and pay for and watch iTunes movie rentals. It's almost like your $400 iPod is as good as a $400 iPhone, just without the phone. Or camera. Or free updates.

And it doesn't stop there! This is the "January Update." More $20 upgrades are on your way! Like Steve said, there are still fifty more weeks of the year! Bank on it!

But wait, there's more! the $20 update will also let you access music lyrics, just like you could on your old iPod!

So, see, they're totally different!
You forgot to put curley bracketed sarcasm quotes around your post.

[blusubaru]

The Touch is almost half as much as the iPhone, so it should have half the features unless you want to pony up a little for it. I think $20 is fair, I bought it.

[space-time]

correct me if I am wrong, but all updates so far have been free for all ipods, from Day 1 back in 2000 or so until Jan 14, 2008. Now some updates are no longer free. This is a precedent that will change the way we get updates in the future.

[blusubaru]

It's not an update, is an expansion pack. The update to .3 was free.