There is a lot off buzz floating around the interwebs about the 20$ firmware upgrade for the iPod Touch. It kind of got me thinking about how things would be if RIM charged for firmware updates.
Now, I know that a more apples to apples comparison, (no pun intended) would be between the iPod Touch and the iPhone, however, this is a BlackBerry blog, so, I will ask the question.
What if RIM charged for firmware updates?
Depending on how you look at it I guess that you could say BlackBerry owners already do pay for firmware updates. The overwhelming majority of BlackBerry users have either BIS or BES which they pay for each and every month. It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to think that some of the revenue RIM gets for BlackBerry service goes to the development and support of software updates.
I suppose one could also say that the iPod Touch update is more of a software overhaul than it is a firmware update. You could think of it as updating your OS.
At the end of the day I just don’t think this would fly with BlackBerry users. I think they overwhelmingly would stay on the their current OS unless there was an actual bug and I can’t see RIM ever charging for a bug update.
Do BlackBerries even HAVE firmware updates?
I’m not flame-baiting here, it’s an honest question… I used an 8700 device for only a couple of months, and the device OS seemed rock-solid.
Depends…if my company pays for it, then sure. If it’s for myself, not sure. Depends on the charge, what’s included, and my dire need for the update/device.
I feel a little bad for Apple (as much as I can for a corporation with loads of money) because this has a lot to do with accounting rules and trying to keep themselves out of enron-like trouble. It may be greed too, but there are other factors at play.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/itmanagement/0,1000000308,39285560,00.htm
Historically, in a way RIM kind of has charged for firmware updates. If you wanted new features activated by new firmware you usually ended up buying a new device because the old one wasn’t compatible. It either didn’t have the hardware to support the feature or did not have enough internal memory to take the firmware update.
I look at it from this point of view.
I would of released two different versions one labeled a firmware update for the iTouch in which would of been free. What would of came with the firmware update would basically be whatever they included that made the device it self run smoother.
I would of also released an iTouch software package which would of included the five additional applications which are Maps, Stocks, Weather and Notes.
And I still would of included these applications in newly purchased iTouch devices.
Glen,
Well said. IMO adding app’s to a device is a choice Apple is giving it’s customers, the current firmware could be solid and not need updating. Those which bought the Touch got every function as advertised at the time of purchase, remember the Touch is a handheld computer and just like it’s bigger brothers as time goes on more and more app’s will be available for it. The device will continue to operate with or without updates. Adding a handful of useful functions for a very small fee IMO is fair, no matter if RIM or Apple does it. I also agree that when seeing it from the RIM side of view the monthly BES or BIS charge should cover any firmware updates. When it comes to the Touch there are no monthly service fee’s being collected to cover firmware or updates which add applications.
Wow. A hellno post that doesn’t twist the topic to trash Verizon. Amazing.
Ned,
Why the need to thread crap and take things personal? Are you desperate for attention too? This is a thread Robb started about firmware and devices, you are right in a way to sadly bring verizon up though since verizon does alot of device crippling at the firmware level. BUT this thread isn’t about service providers, you or I.
The firmware update is free, the charge is if you want the apps added to your iPod touch
iPhone goes corporate: AT&T announces business plan
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/21/iphone-goes-corporate-atandt-announces-business-plan/
iPhone putting on a Lotus Notes suit?
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/17/iphone-putting-on-a-lotus-notes-suit/
@ hellno
What does that have to do with the topic? Oh, I get it, it’s more of your iPhone BS on a BB site. Not that you would have been able to understand the topic anyway…
bluehorseshoe,
The post that I made is ON TOPIC of wireless devices, it was NOT made to discuss personal thoughts of you. Sad that it may be you, bluehorseshoe is not a topic anyone wants to discuss. We all know it upsets you when you don’t get personal attention, but RIMarkable is not for that. You yet again are showing your ignorant ways… If Lotus notes make its way to the iPhone it will make its way to the iTouch which Robb our host has talked about and pictured in this thread.
Just because your head is constantly up your ass and you have a problem with technology which doesn’t have the name blackberry does NOT allow you to thread crap and make things personal with your BS comments.
As pointed out before, luckly those in the know like our host Robb doesn’t cater to ignoramus’s like yourself.
http://www.rimarkable.com/archives/category/iphone
http://www.rimarkable.com/archives/category/palm
http://www.rimarkable.com/archives/category/windows-mobile
http://www.rimarkable.com/archives/category/windows-mobile-50
Take that “vacation” you were grandstanding about and GROW UP, your personal BS and personal attack are not needed nor wanted here. RIMarkable is NOT your personal toilet.
http://www.POWDERPUFFarkable.com is a special place for trolls like you.
@ hellidiot
So what you’re trying to say is that you:
a) Cannot comprehend anything other that what you can possibly absorb (not much to say for yourself there)…
b) Have difficulty communicating with the outside world…
c) You sit in a basement and play dungeons and dragons by yourself and learn cool words like vealot, troll, and sheep (lord knows why you use such wording, but I guess it gives us insight as to the level of retardation you suffer with)…
d) Your IQ level is within the required level of 17 to be deemed an idiot…
e) Got ‘rear’ ended by Mr. Jobs himself…
f) …and that you’re retarded.
Your links are only what you want to see whenever you type your dictator style of comments. You’re a classic case of an idiot…what’s more to say?
Now go back in your hole before I tell your mother you’ve been using her computer again without permission or else I’m going to send the Verizon guy over to your house and bitch slap some sense into your mentally disturbed head.
Can you hear me know…biotch?
It’s a day off from school and as we can see bluehorseshoe is in front of the home computer unsupervised and ego posting.
One way or another bluehorseshoe will learn this is RIMarkable which is about the wireless industry NOT a place for his personal thoughts and opinions of others. One way or another bluehorseshoe will learn people don’t post for him and certainly any “vacation from the board” he takes would not change how or what others post, other than the thread craps and personal attack posts would be gone. Saddly “fun” to bluehorseshoe means thread crapping, making personal comments, and his desire to keep FUD and ignorance above the truth. Nothing but a troll with a desperate need to stroke his ego, with even that failing him. One way or another bluehorseshoe will learn he and his posts have lost all credibility long ago and his posts mean nothing, and sure have no bearing on what others think other than verifying the type of person bluehorseshoe really is.
Willful ignorance.
@Hellno & bluehorseshoe
Do you guys make this your daily “pissing” grounds or something…I mean seriously, every single comment here is riddled with your bickering back and forth and it’s beyond me as to why Robb has not banned both your asses from the site by now…neither of you bring anything to the site, if anything your comments drive people away from the site cause after reading through them you both lower the maturity level on this site.
Bla1ze it seems you feel you need some attention? Someone needs to post the TRUTH about verizon here. Try to keep on topic as there is no need for your personal posts as no one cares about your opinion of others either. Perhaps if RIMarkable is not doing for you and your need to make things personal you can head on over to http://www.powderpuffmarkable.com with bluehorseshoe and post your personal feelings back and forth.
Wow. Well, there you have it. For me it’s like a bad car accident…I just cannot ‘not’ look.
With that said, I pledge that I will no longer respond to the posts of one poster that we all know, share and love. Even if that poster responds or comments on one of my posts, I will refrain (this is going to be really tough…). 🙂
bluehorseshoe,
With yet another apology and again placing blame for his piss poor actions on someone else. Yet shows the REAL TRUTH about bluehorseshoe. Nothing like apologizing and claiming to act better in yet another off topic personal, thread crap. What a bunch of grandstand FUD.
Thanks for sharing
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting! Look for some my links: