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Apple to charge $1.99 for 802.11n update

updated 01:10 pm EST, Fri January 19, 2007

802.11n update: $1.99

Apple has confirmed that it intends to charge customers a fee to download the software that will enable the built-in 802.11n functionality in its Wi-Fi cards which shipped in some MacBook and MacBook Pro systems. Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced that all Core 2 Duo and Intel Xeon-based Macs -- with the exception of the 17-inch 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo iMac -- already has the 802.11n chip during his keynote speech at Macworld. The fee, which Apple says amounts to $1.99, will appear on the company's website once its new AirPort Base Station begins shipping next month. Customers who purchase the new Base Station will receive the software update for free, but Apple has said it is required to charge customers for the software upgrade due to generally accepted accounting principals, according to News.com.

"The nominal distribution fee for the 802.11n software is required in order for Apple to comply with generally accepted accounting principles for revenue recognition, which generally require that we charge for significant feature enhancements, such as 802.11n, when added to previously purchased products," said Apple spokeswoman Lynn Fox.

The new wireless standard boasts a large increase in bandwidth over the previous 802.11g standard, offering a longer range while providing backward compatibility with older wireless standards. The 802.11n standard will likely see ratification later this year, but the Wi-Fi Alliance has said it will begin certifying products based on a draft of the standard.

 
Previous Comments

NO!

01/19, 01:32pm reply

NO! is the first thing that came to mind as i read this dont tell me apple is going to follow theses other companys that want you to pay everytime they changes something. next we will be paying everytime the update the OS from 10.5.0 to 10.5.1 then to 10.5.2 Come on dont be so greedy.

pkh5695

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2007

0

licensing

01/19, 02:02pm reply

I think its a licensing problem, Apple has to pay for every download. I assume it will be 'free' if you buy other 802.11n hardware.

Peter Bonte

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

0

Better late...

01/19, 02:07pm reply

NOW, they start worrying about following accounting rules.

jad713

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jul 2006

0

RE:NO!

01/19, 02:17pm reply

Stop already it's just this and as mentioned above could be a licensing thing any way.

whackjob

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2005

0

s**** Apple

01/19, 03:02pm reply

1. Buy new Airport Extreme with "free" upgrade. 2. Upgrade your system. 3. Return Airport Extreme. 4. (optional) Buy competitor 802.11n router.

Of course, with the price of gas or shipping you might as well pay the $1.99.

jmonty12

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2003

0

IANAL

01/19, 03:24pm reply

but my brother is a tax and accounting attorney who works for the IRS, and he says that Apple's rationale for charging for the update is a legitimate interpretation of accounting rules.

wadepeeler

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jul 2004

0

re:s**** apple

01/19, 03:30pm reply

OR

I'm sure someone will upload the software patch [downloadable from Apple for $1.99] at some point soon and then we can grab it form there and like the subject line says "s**** apple"

I could maybe understand it more if I only paid $500 for my $2000 computer system - but I'm not chipping in an extra 2 bucks for some bullshit_

UberFu

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2002

0

buncha babies...

01/19, 03:51pm reply

$2? come on.

if someone said, "Hey! I'll pay you $2 to downgrade from n to g/a!"

would you?

rtbarry

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

0

re: upload

01/19, 03:55pm reply

one problem is that Apple might make it a one per computer upgrade. meaning that once it has been used on a computer that it doesn't allow itself to be used again. On another note, Apple could have charged so much more than $1.99 for this.

brassplayersrock

Registered User

Joined: Mar 2006

0

funny

01/19, 03:59pm reply

"I'm not chipping in an extra 2 bucks for some bullshit."

Thanks for the great laughs. Wait - you're serious?

You bought the computer as a computer that had only 802.11a and g. So now you get an extra feature for $1.99. You would only use the extra feature if you buy a 3rd party router. So consider it part of the price of the router, which will undoubtedly SAVE you money compared to the price of the Airport Base Station.

If there's ANY chance unlocking it for free would raise accounting issues, Apple better not do it, with the options investigation going on. They can unlock it for free with the purchase of an Airport Base Station because it's then accounted for as part of the price of the Base Station.

elroth

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jul 2006

0

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