Firmware Upgrade Revisited

While it may seem a little odd to discuss this week's MacWorld conference news on a Zune blog, I wanted to point out a recent difference between Microsoft's Zune, and Apples iPod Touch media players.  It was a little revolutionary when Microsoft came out with the Zune 30 upgrade that revamped the software, and brought it up to where the current player is.  While pundits claimed that it would kill sales, quite the opposite happened as shelves of heavily discounted Zune 30's found their way into users hands during the holiday shopping season.

While the above is probably ancient history at this point, I just wanted to point out that Apple is charging $20 for the firmware upgrade on the iPod Touch.  Sure, it adds new features, but you're paying for them, so if I owned such a product, I'd probably pass on it. 

What about a company standing behind their product, and making it the best that it can be?  Even if a free firmware upgrade loses money for the quarter, I'm sure it will generate enough goodwill to make long term customers that will choose another Zune when their player breaks.  In short, thanks again to Microsoft, and boo/hiss to Apple for this.  I can't remember another company charging for a firmware upgrade in recent memory.

Comments

[Max]

Hi,
personally I have a 30GB Brown Zune and a 16GB iPod Touch. Well, I think Firmware is Software and a company can choose if his work should be payed by customers. I agree with you when you say "I can't remember ..." but Apple do a free firmware upgrade in order to make some fix, and a 20$ upgrade to install some more apps on the device. I think this could be considered correct - or at least legitimate.

[Blue Kae]

It is fine to charge for software upgrades, although minor upgrades are usually free. If that's what Apple's doing they should be up front about it instead of claiming that it's an "accounting requirement" that they charge for it.

As a side note, even Sony gives away firmware upgrades for free.

[Jaxim]

"I can't remember another company charging for a firmware upgrade in recent memory."

That's because most other companies no longer support older products and come out with the next hardware version of the product. The Zune upgrade was very unusual, but Microsoft did it probably because they currently aren't the market leader in MP3 players.

I don't like that Apple is charging $20 for the upgrade, but Apple is probably milking as much money as they can when there isn't a direct comparable competing product to the iPod Touch in the market yet. Once Microsoft releases their answer to the Touch, then I'm sure Apple won't be charging for upgrades.