News: Apple to Charge for Major iPad Updates

Since we are merely days from people getting their hands on the first batch of iPads, more minor details are emerging about the device. Earlier today, the licensing agreement was examined to find that the iPad’s operating system upgrade path, much like the iPod touch, will feature paid updates.

The report was initially on AppleInsider, as the licensing agreement states:

“Apple will provide you any iPad OS software updates that it may release from time to time, up to and including the next major iPad OS software release following the version of iPad OS software that originally shipped from Apple on your iPad, for free.

For example, if your iPad originally shipped with iPad 3.x software, Apple would provide you with any iPad OS software updates it might release up to and including the iPad 4.x software release. Such updates and releases may not necessarily include all of the new software features that Apple releases for newer iPad models.”

This is not surprising, as the iPad is not a subscription-based device, like the iPhone. Therefore, to add or enable additional features, Apple must charge for devices like the iPod touch and iPad (as they did with the 2.0 and 3.0 versions of the iPhone/iPod OS). The interesting addition is that the iPad can have a 3G subscription, but it is not required.

We think that if Apple keeps the updates in the $10-$20 range, nobody will complain about extending the functionality of their mobile devices.