The recent firmware update for the iPod Touch costs $9.95 USD and now has been hacked for free downloading on the interwebs .  One must ask why Apple would go to such lengths.  As all of you know, the recent upgrade to Zune 2.0 and even 2.5 has been free to all zune owners, a move which has been gladly welcomed by Zune owners and a stark contrast to Apple's plans - plans some iPod owners are aware of and are wondering why.  Why would Apple need to nickle and dime their iPod Touch owners when the same functions come free to iPhone users?  

A recent c|net feature showcasing the hacking of the new firmware has drawn many comments and some go as far as noting how Microsoft seems to value Zune owners more than Apple does of their iTouch owners.  One writes, "They clearly are just extorting their users here. MS released their substantial Zune update for free for older devices which included lots of new functionality. I hate to say it, but MS is looking like the nice company looking out for their users, and Apple is looking like the locked in monopoly only trying to make a buck."  Another comments, "I just find Apple´s attitude too much of a bummer. Sorry, but you pay a premium for a supposed premium device, and yet you get a dismissive treatment? No, thank you...not for me. Too greedy."

So now, many iTouch users have been religated to downloading a free version from a hack source instead of legitimately downloading it from Apple itself .  I wonder how Apple will respond to this.  I don't know about you, but I'm so glad Microsoft has done what it's done.  It really seems Apple's trying to squeeze every penny from its users at the expense of its reputation.  That's just me, but what do you guys think?  Is Apple crazy for charging for updates, or is it just me?

[via c|net]

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steve   | 68.118.185.xxx | 2008-07-13 16:57:55 gay Reply | Quote 5   16

Crash   | 71.31.216.xxx | 2008-07-15 18:45:34 So youre coming out of the closet now? Reply | Quote 7   2

bob   | 68.118.191.xxx | 2008-07-17 13:25:22 very gay Reply | Quote 1   8

vokuheila   | 67.166.112.xxx | 2008-07-13 18:07:02 I am glad I chose the Zune. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if the Zune surpasses Apple in the digital player market someday soon. Reply | Quote 14   1

ry   | 69.0.26.xxx | 2008-07-13 19:52:18 i hope so...apple deserves to get beaten Reply | Quote 11   1

supapeach   | 70.57.114.xxx | 2008-07-14 01:10:45 everything that apple makes sucks, the only good thing is garageband, and there are other programs that you can get. Reply | Quote 8   1

Anonymous   | 69.14.184.xxx | 2008-07-14 01:37:03 Wow... Apple... baaad move buddy Reply | Quote 10   1

Zxo0oxZ   | 67.60.47.xxx | 2008-08-02 09:06:58 Apple computers can run up to 32gb of ram...but cost more than 20k Reply | Quote 0   0

steveballmer - apple evil     | 68.209.64.xxx | 2008-07-14 05:02:02 baaaaad apple! Reply | Quote 9   1

DragonEX   | 71.101.59.xxx | 2008-07-14 06:59:04 Wow im way glad that microsoft have done free firmwares 4 zunes... ... But apple doesnt make sense because firmware is almost always free but apple uve gone 2 far itz bein greedy 2 do such a thing but whateva im glad i got a zune Reply | Quote 6   1

Anonymous   | 91.104.121.xxx | 2008-07-14 08:04:15 MS has done a good job with zune Reply | Quote 7   1

Saidas   | 75.142.107.xxx | 2008-07-14 12:01:22 I don't think MS is being so generous as Apple is being greedy. Firmware upgrades are usually free from manufactures, no? I've had a coupld of other DAP and this was the case. This reminds me of how so many of us have to use hacks because the Zune software is so crappy. Apple is being greedy but MS should be ashamed or embarrased that it is the biggest software company in the known universe yet users of their hardware and software have to use hacks to get them to work together properly; e.g. having to use a hack to get Vista or XP/WMP11 to synch directly. I'd still like to hear a valid reason for this. Reply | Quote 4   14

Crash   | 71.31.212.xxx | 2008-07-15 18:38:46 These hacks you say are not due to crappy software but restrictions placed on every player out there by the greed hungry RIAA. Get your facts straight before coming here. A simple search and you can find all information, you just have too look. Reply | Quote 5   3

creative zune   | 24.190.74.xxx | 2008-07-14 12:49:36 whats do special about to new firmware.....for apple to be charging for it.. Reply | Quote 3   1

Jac21 - re:   | 70.254.68.xxx | 2008-07-14 14:38:31 creative zune wrote: whats do special about to new firmware.....for apple to be charging for it.. It allows you to run the new applications and games on it. I dunno if that's enough to charge someone but... Reply | Quote 2   1

U KnOW   | 24.14.80.xxx | 2008-07-14 14:38:32 The only reason thats apple is doing this is cause come on apple sells way way more ipods than Microsoft sells zunes.If microsoft was in the same position they would do the same thing. Also the question is not about them caring more is just strictly business. Reply | Quote 4   10

Crash   | 71.31.212.xxx | 2008-07-15 18:41:24 Take a look at MS they as to yet cahrged for firmware updates on the XBox Xbox360 Their OS. Nos Apple on the other hand will charge for upgrades, it is their nature to be arrogant and stingy about their products Reply | Quote 6   2

_AnF_   | 74.235.21.xxx | 2008-07-14 14:46:35 [img]http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3585/ 12160176781216017678 po2.jpg[/img] LoL this pic cracks me up...i got bored okay...geez... Reply | Quote 1   6

_AnF_   | 74.235.21.xxx | 2008-07-14 14:47:20 [img]http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3585/ 12160176781216017678 po2.jpg[/img] LoL this cracks me up...ok i got bored...geez... Reply | Quote 1   6

creative zune - re: re:   | 24.190.74.xxx | 2008-07-14 21:06:34 Jac21 wrote: creative zune wrote: whats do special about to new firmware.....for apple to be charging for it.. It allows you to run the new applications and games on it. I dunno if that's enough to charge someone but... o00o0 so its like apple is making people pay them to jailbreak their itouch with apple official firmware......wow thats real smart... Reply | Quote 3   0

vote4pedro1090   | 76.185.37.xxx | 2008-07-15 00:06:45 and the funny thing about them paying for the firmware.. is that they then still have to pay for most of the applications from apple too LOL of course there are some free ones but i think its a slap in the face to the people who own iTouches Reply | Quote 4   0

DiNoGames   | 217.86.134.xxx | 2008-07-15 00:31:00 Its all voluntary, isn't it? People who bought an iPod did not buy the features the new firmware enables. They bought the iPod in the state it was at date of purchase. If a firmware wipes out firmware bugs, I agree, its mandatory to make it free of charge. If it enables completely new features like the 2.5 of the Zune, which enables you to run games on it, its a decision of the company if they charge. And its ok if they do (just my opinion). Microsoft just doesn't because they have their XNA thing, which is part of advertising the Zune, to have some kind of argument against the iPod. We never bought a gameboy-like handheld to play games at the bus station. We bought a music/video player. The fact that it now can run games is great, but it was never designed to do so. IMHO its not greedy to charge a software that was made by a whole team in months of work. Just because its installed directly on the device is no reason to make it mandatory free. Reply | Quote 2   6

Crash   | 71.31.216.xxx | 2008-07-15 18:44:13 Ajax request failed.Jobs... he is so proud you remeber your lines so well. Brainwashed, and they spout about thinking different. sheesh Reply | Quote 1   1

Mark   | 66.215.115.xxx | 2008-07-16 17:55:48 While I agree in the concept that software updates don't have to be free, it is the case that Microsoft making it free does seem to give the indication of MS caring for its customers more than apple does. Note: we're not just talking about games here, but also about the 2.0 update that gave all the new features for the new zunes to the older 30GB ones as well. Reply | Quote 1   0

Anonymous   | 75.53.183.xxx | 2008-07-18 11:37:20 i totally diagree... when we buy either ipod or zune, it obviously cost a lot... the reason they cost a lot is because it SHOULD cover all the future firmware updates... i mean, if u buy a 4 Gig flash drive compared to the ipod nano it's a HUGE difference! and nano is so expensive is because it's SUPPOSE to cover the future fimware/software updates. Reply | Quote 1   0

TrivTrav - sad   | 195.33.123.xxx | 2008-07-15 10:52:00 I think Apple is really forgetting what got them to where they are. The reason they became so huge and popular was because people didnt view them as the huge greedy corporation...obviously that side of them has changed...as if theyre not making enough money. Reply | Quote 7   0

George   | 74.65.29.xxx | 2008-07-16 05:53:14 Your so naive about everything. Its not because Apple is greedy, its a great business plan. Zune firmware is free because Zune sucks and only a handful people have it, and MS doesn't wanna drive those handful people away. Whereas APple got millions and millions of owner, and they have to pay 9.99, which means more profit for Apple. But Zune sucks, so it can do that. Reply | Quote 2   12

Mark   | 66.215.115.xxx | 2008-07-16 17:52:31 Nice "Zune sucks" comment without any kind of qualification at all. Care to elaborate? Is it the better interface, the ability to sync WMC recorded tv shows, or the wifi syncing that sucks? Or maybe the ability to add your friends cards and see/play what they've been playing recently? Or, in case of any response about the ipod touch, is it the fact that it has much more than double the capacity for 1/2 the cost, and yet still allows 3rd party apps/games on it? Or maybe the significantly better software? Reply | Quote 5   2

Crash   | 71.31.216.xxx | 2008-07-20 19:18:12 So what exactly sucks about The Zune, The Best off show Software for the desktop app? Or is it the Best of show feature list on the Zune itself.? Or maybe you speak of the editors choice for the Zune 80G by most sites reviewing it? Or is it because you dont really know what sucks, being encompassed in ther reality distortion field created by Jobs. You do know he failed once already with this idea of superiority, and he will fail again. People just dont like snobs. Reply | Quote 1   0

Stewie - haha   | 71.179.107.xxx | 2008-07-16 06:09:43 Wow George, is the koolaid good? lmao. I love it when the iLemmings come out and defend Apple for sh*tt*ng on their customers. Reply | Quote 6   2

Sam   | 24.5.213.xxx | 2008-07-17 07:27:27 LOL! You guys are hilarious! So you think the fact that Microsoft didn't charge for their Zune updates while Apple did charge for the iPod Touch update shows that Microsoft "cares" more for their customers? LOL! Boy, are you a bunch of naive simpletons! Wake up and smell the coffee. Microsoft didn't charge you for the Zune updates because they desperately need customers. Do you think that it's "unfair" that Apple charged $10 for the iPod Touch update? Do you think that Apple and the programmers who worked on the update don't have bills to pay and don't deserve to be compensated for their work? If so, try telling that to Bill Gates and Microsoft, which charges $300+ for Microsoft Office. Tell them that if they really "cared" about their customers, that they should give you Office for free. Reply | Quote 0   5

George - re:   | 74.65.29.xxx | 2008-07-17 11:18:09 Mark wrote: Nice "Zune sucks" comment without any kind of qualification at all. Care to elaborate? Is it the better interface, the ability to sync WMC recorded tv shows, or the wifi syncing that sucks? Or maybe the ability to add your friends cards and see/play what they've been playing recently? Or, in case of any response about the ipod touch, is it the fact that it has much more than double the capacity for 1/2 the cost, and yet still allows 3rd party apps/games on it? Or maybe the significantly better software? Ur so stupid. No body wants those stupid features. Thats why iPod is so much more popular than Zune. and Zune is bulky and hard to carry, and you can't even use it as a harddrive, which is wat people REALLY want instead of some stupid add-ur-friend feature. Yes, you guys will disagree with me because you guys are Zune geeks that have nothing else to do with your life than go on this site. And i see that Zuneboards put negative marks on every comment that is ... Reply | Quote 1   7

George   | 74.65.29.xxx | 2008-07-17 11:20:54 and it forces u to use its stupid software, which is slow and hard to use. And it tricks you into thinking that the songs are 79 cents each, but they are actually 79 MS point and 99 cents, just like iTune. iPod touch is WAYYYYYYYYYYY better than ZUne. and now, with the new iPhone which is only $199, it cost as same as Zune, and its 10 times better. Surfing the internet, touch screen, phone, huge clear screen. Does zune have that? can u go on teh internet? thats what i thought Reply | Quote 1   8

Hey George - Mr.   | 68.99.104.xxx | 2008-07-17 19:34:21 Hey dude. iPods have been around a while - they've been getting better naturally, and they weren't popular when they first came out. Soon, when the Zune makes another generation/model, it'll just attract more people - and will probably outdo the iPhone. It's likely the newest Zunes will have some sort of phone/call feature, and anything else the iPhone has, AND something the iPhone doesn't. As long as they have ONE thing that beats the iPhone (That people can use a lot) They'll win. Reply | Quote 2   0

ZunEskimo   | 75.107.234.xxx | 2008-07-17 23:23:27 This doesn't surprise me at all. In fact, I would expect nothing less from the monopoly that is Apple. If you want to get a REAL sense of Steve Job's ass-holery, I suggest watching the movie "Pirates of Silicon Vally" You'll understand what I mean after watching it. Reply | Quote 0   0

PookiePrancer   | 208.104.169.xxx | 2008-07-18 05:39:46 @ George Sorry, but to get your Itouch to do some of the things you describe, you're going to be shelling out WAY more than $199; you gotta factor that into the price, bud. Speaking of useless features nobody wants: Internet on a 3-inch screen? No thanks. Touch screen? No thanks; I hate smudges. "Huge" screen? You're pushing it. And as for your insult to us "Zune geeks." The only thing more sad is an Ipod-loving loser who has nothing better to do with his life than to hang out on a fan website for a product he doesn't like and will never use, just to disparage it and validate his own purchase decisions because he's not confident in his own decisions. Sad. Reply | Quote 5   0

bob   | 206.169.234.xxx | 2008-07-18 11:23:58 [url]http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2008/05/23/kill-the-zune-microsoft.aspx?terms=Zune& vstest=search_042607 _linkdefault[/url] Reply | Quote 0   0

Gamertag: YanezSOS - Half-Half   | 71.175.228.xxx | 2008-07-18 12:28:59 Hey guys. I just wanted to put my 2 cents. That I do love Microsoft. And firmware without a doubt should be free. And its good we pride ourselves that we have this luxury. The only thing that stings me as a xbox360 player is that online play should be free...they do offer great service. But you can get the same amount of lag on a computer as a xbox game. Only difference u don't pay on a computer game. Then again 50bucks a year isn't sumthin rele to cry about. Just that if they did make it free i think there would even be even more great sucess and itd pay back in full in the end. By paying for the service it only limits it to the hardcore players and not the casusal players that go every once and while. And sony scoops those casual players up. Well theres my 2cents add my on xbox if u will. And in no way do i mean to Bash MS cause they r awesome. Reply | Quote 0   0

Sam   | 128.115.27.xxx | 2008-07-18 12:48:59 I notice that all of the people here are complaining about how Apple is "ripping off" its customers for charging $10 for the Ipod Touch update are NOT iPod Touch customers! Strange. Now I'm an iPod Touch customer and I think that $10 is a perfectly reasonable price for an update which gives my iPod so many new abilities. I can now use my iPod as a wireless remote control to direct music from my iTunes library to my stereo speakers. I can now use a great (and free!) application called "Pandora" which streams music to my iPod from an internet radio station according to any style of music I choose. And I can access the iTunes Application store from my iPod, and browse hundreds of other applications, many of them free. Meantime, what can your Zune do that I'm missing out on? Oh, yeah, you can "squirt" your friends. Reply | Quote 0   0

Silverback1138   | 98.203.209.xxx | 2008-07-18 18:25:45 I'm really enjoying my Zune. Great product. I didn't really like Ipods and when I used to work for a service desk for an electronics retailer, we'd get so many of them having issues. Granted you can argue that it's because they have the largest share of the market and some of these faults could be blamed on users, but the overall ratios are just so glaring. I have a Zune 30 and different friends and other family members also have their own Zunes and we are all happy with our purchases. I'm a huge Microsoft fan because while they're products aren't perfect, they are still well done. The biggest thing with Apple charging for this software is the fact that they want to nickle and damn their large user base. I have both a Zune and X360, along with a Wii and PS3 and none have charged to support their products and add more features. The consumer has the right to challenge Apple's practices when other companies are willing to provide it for free. They have the right to do it, the c... Reply | Quote 0   0

Sam - re:   | 24.5.213.xxx | 2008-07-18 21:33:10 Silverback113 8 wrote: I have both a Zune and X360, along with a Wii and PS3 and none have charged to support their products and add more features. The consumer has the right to challenge Apple's practices when other companies are willing to provide it for free. Yeah, consumers have the right to challenge Apple's practices, but you don't. Why? Because by your own admission you're not a consumer. You don't own an iPod Touch. Case closed. Reply | Quote 0   2

Silverback1138   | 98.203.209.xxx | 2008-07-21 14:35:04 Actually, the case isn't closed. I have as much right to challenge you as you do to me. First off, I'm not an apple consumer, but by definition I am a consumer, with a good chunk of disposable income. So your little play on words has no merit. I chose the Zune because I feel it's the better product, much like the Creative Zens which I've purchased in the past. Everone here also can complain all we want. We all have money, we can be potential customers. Other companies are providing software upgrades to their products at no additional cost to the consumer who chose to be their customer. We're expressing our dislike of such practice, just like you're expressing that we should appreciate being charged. What it shows is that you're a troll who has too much time on his hands. Reply | Quote 0   0

Sam   | 24.5.213.xxx | 2008-07-18 21:41:56 What an absolutely bizarre board this is! Of all the people here complaining here about the fact that Apple charged $10 for the firmware update, NOT ONE OF YOU WERE EVEN ASKED TO PAY THE $10 BECAUSE NONE OF YOU EVEN OWN AN IPOD TOUCH!!! SO WHAT ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT??? Reply | Quote 1   3

PookiePrancer - re:   | 208.104.169.xxx | 2008-07-19 01:47:33 Sam wrote: What an absolutely bizarre board this is! Of all the people here complaining here about the fact that Apple charged $10 for the firmware update, NOT ONE OF YOU WERE EVEN ASKED TO PAY THE $10 BECAUSE NONE OF YOU EVEN OWN AN IPOD TOUCH!!! SO WHAT ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT??? You're right; nobody who doesn't use an itouch should be complaining about something they'll never have to pay for. I think the gist behind the original article is that someone is of the opinion that MS not charging for firmware updates means they care for, or appreciate their customers more. True or not? Nobody will ever really know; it's just an opinion. Reply | Quote 1   0

Anonymous   | 76.226.143.xxx | 2008-07-20 04:41:33 lol ya i dont own i just feel it would be nice for ipod ppl not to have to pay. funney point tho Reply | Quote 0   0

bmwjs - re:   | 76.226.143.xxx | 2008-07-20 04:43:51 Anonymous wrote: lol ya i dont own i just feel it would be nice for ipod ppl not to have to pay. funney point tho did not put name lol my bad ppl of boards Reply | Quote 0   0

yensed   | 68.118.62.xxx | 2008-07-19 12:55:48 "So now, many iTouch users have been religated to downloading a free version from a hack source instead of legitimately downloading it from Apple itself " -- Where are you getting that from? The article you linking to doesn't say anything at all like that. Reply | Quote 0   0

BMWJS   | 76.226.143.xxx | 2008-07-20 04:08:05 me big apple fan! 2nd gen nano 1st real mp3 i remeber n-gage with radio rec. any way i feel apple should not charge i love itunes great place but when u charge the people who got u here for firm ware for shame. i feel ms could do something like that but some1 made a point look at the xbox. also i phone 199 hahahah ya if you add the two years plan which they will be getting that 500 from ya over the 2years. once more i like apple products. apple has somethings zune don't zune got things apple don't lots of mp3 all depends on the person. ps ms did well to give better firmware to older models such as zune 30. when i had nano new video nanos came out -_- no new firm ware for us older models meaning time to buy new ones we buy music and videos take da money from there. just got zune red 80 gig yay but idk why love apple. wii xbox zune yay ^_^ did this on wii Reply | Quote 0   0

BMWJS   | 76.226.143.xxx | 2008-07-20 04:19:55 lol mess up so many mp3 players find one that fits your wants and stop acting like kids. mines better then yours! i study mp3 players. youtube got some great stuff. mmmmm tell me about ur studys what they have and don't have don't go crazy cause u got one and some1 crys out look at what i can do. i would love 2 hear ppl compare apple nano classic and touch to zune 30 80 4 & 8 facts only plz ^_^ Reply | Quote 0   0

Michael   | 66.156.107.xxx | 2008-07-20 17:46:28 My Zune 80gig is the first player I've owned. I bought my daughter an Ipod 2 years ago when she was in college. I've been waiting to get one that has all the features I wanted. The 2nd gen Zune is great. The Zune software is great. Microsoft had to upgrade for free If not, No one would own a Zune. The first gen was terrible. Even Microsoft had to be embarrassed. On the heels of Vista then the Zune. Well anyway, I wanted to say that in spite of themselves Microsoft has a hit with the Zune even if while loading the software I got every patch and service pack that Microsoft has for xp (wanted or not) Reply | Quote 0   0

Silverback1138   | 98.203.209.xxx | 2008-07-21 14:39:47 Actually I have a Zune 30 and guess what, unlike what the Ipod trolls here are saying, I plugged it into my Vista PC. Lo and behold, the Zune software upgrade the firmware to the new Zune version with new features...FREE OF CHARGE. I agree though, Zunes are great. Try the Creative Zens too, my sister has the last 2 models and they work great. Reply | Quote 1   0

alsqar - thanks ..     | 78.93.96.xxx | 2008-07-21 19:07:06 thanks alot http://www.stuff9.com Reply | Quote 0   0

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