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Once again Apple treats ipod touch users as 2nd class citizens. WTG Apple :-(

It does get rather old. I wonder why other device owners (insert any upgradeable device here, like the PS3, Touch, Wii, NetGear router, etc...) never have to pay for new features? That accounting rule seems grey to say the least.

"Once again Apple treats ipod touch users as 2nd class citizens."
But isn't that what you iPod Touch users are?

I updated last night (or, rather, very early this morning) and I was very disappointed to find that Maps was lacking all of the new goodies. However, on the bright side, I'm extremely happy to be finally able to connect to my WPA2 encrypted network! One of the best features of the 2G 'Touch--for me, anyway--is the Remote app. Prior to this update it was all but useless since my device's connection was weak, random, and flaky.
Back to the article--Chris, are you going to do some digging to find out what's going on with this?

Has Apple actually said that was why they were charging for the iPod Touch updates? I call bluff on all of that because:
1. Apple first charged $20 for "Pre January '08 iPod Touch" software update.
2. Apple gave away that same update for free when the $10 version 2.0 software update came out. It still is technically a significant capability advancement for those who didn't have the features already on their iPod Touch.
I do remember that was their reasoning behind the 802.11 n wireless update but even the referenced article in the above column isn't Apple's word—just Charles Wolf's opinion.
“It’s an accounting requirement that if you upgrade a device that’s not on a subscription, you have to charge,” Needham and Company financial analyst Charles Wolf said. “Apple has a choice of what to charge, but they have to charge.”
I personally think that Apple saw an opportunity to recoup cost of development and make some money to boot.
Don't get me wrong—I paid. Each time. But it is aggravating.

So...what's the big deal here? You can get the Google Maps app on the App Store for free and I think it does the same thing.
What am I missing?

Maps is not available on the App Store, just Google Earth and Google Mobile App.

According to Google's Street View API, its Flash based. Perhaps there's something else underfoot...

I've got an iPhone and a touch. Does this make me a 1st and 2nd class citizen? Or perhaps an accumulative 3rd class citizen? ;-)

Walt_Basil said:

It works kind of like dual citizenship: you can have both, but when you enter the forum you've got to pick one :0

For a senior editor, perhaps you should read what was written instead of being a condescending prick.

What is the difference between the google earth app and the apple map app?

ext1jdh said:

And perhaps you should follow your own advice about reading what was written. You wrote "You can get the Google Maps app on the App Store for free" and I simply pointed out that Maps is not available from the App Store but those other two applications are.

There was nothing condescending about my reply, you just chose to interpret it that way.

ext1jdh said:

Please do detail how Jon was being condescending. Please tell us which words and phrase(s) were patronizing in tone. Jon answered your question and quite politely too. You asked "what am I missing?" and Jon gave you your answer: Google Earth and Google Mobile are not Google Maps.

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That's not what you asked the first time and it would be far quicker for you to research this yourself than to have someone here lead you by hand through the finer points of these apps.