macnn
07/22/2008, 8:15pm, EDT
Tuesday, July 22nd
iTunes balance denies access to app updates
As the iTunes App Store matures from its recent launch, updates are becoming available for launch titles, but it is apparent that updates go through the same transfer method as other iTunes downloads, since an outstanding balance denies access to the updates. A MacNN writer noted that even though the updates are for software products they own, a billing discrepancy is enough to bar access to the updates, leaving users with buggy or incomplete software until the issue is resolved.
The writer observed that a slow credit card authorization allowed him to download paid applications, which were then declined by the credit card due to insufficient balance on the account. Since Apple can not pull licenses for purchased software, it leaves an outstanding balance on a user's iTunes account until the balance can be repaid.
Normally, this is to deter users from downloading excessive amounts of software when their card will not allow for it, it also affects the application update process, disallowing users to access crucial updates.
Filed under: iPhone, iPhone apps, Apple
Other story tags: iTunes, App Store
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wtf?
If you have not PAID for a license, you are not ENTITLED to any damn updates. Fool.
So what!
This an issue why? Seems a reasonable policy. We're not talking about a lot of money in any case. Just pay it.
Update or upgrade...
...as written it would seem updates for one application are disallowed if a newly purchased application was somehow not yet paid... A credit card glitch for a small app might rather than cripple the purchased app effectively cripple a critically needed iPhone update leaving a user stranded until the credit card issue was resolved...?
How does one...
...have an outstanding balance on your iTunes Store account? Since everything is done by credit card (or gift card), and the charge is made at time of purchase, the only problem I see is if you don't have sufficient credit on your card.
But even then, shouldn't the credit card company decline your purchase in the first place?
News break!
Next we'll see this:
Users with no money or credit are being denied purchases all over the place.
Insane.
better be careful....
or they'll not only not be able to buy anymore apps but they might be seating customers in a restaurant while dressed as a pirate!
Good heavens!
This is a story?
It's hard to figure out why this is a story. When you download the software or songs you promise to pay for them. If your credit card is declined, but you already have the merchandise, it seems reasonable to suspend your account until you clear things up. You could always get the app updates by opening a new account with another bad credit card.
the real story...
...is that the article describes the experience of a MacNN writer. So the headline should read "Deadbeat MacNN writer with lousy credit rating unable to update software!" Damn, sometimes I love the 1st amendment!
MISSING THE POINT
ding dongs. slow down and read the summary again.
Say you had previously completed and purchased Application A a few months ago.
Later, you purchased Application B. At which time there was some snafu re: application B's payment.
At that time, you no longer could get UPDATES for APPLICATION A which was paid in full.
Now do you Get it????
nobody is suggesting one shouldn't pay for what you get. knee jerk headline readers.
Happened to me
I was trying to just DOWNLOAD updates for Apps I already paid for and I was getting an error that my balance was out of date. I refreshed, and my balance stayed the same (I have some iTunes gift card credit still). It still wouldn't let me download the updates.
Wonderful Apple, your stupid AppStore sucks. None of this would have been a problem if open development was allowed on the iPhone in the first place (because there is no good reason to have a closed development platform like this). Ugh.