macnn/ipodnn
11/21/2008, 9:25am, EST
Friday, November 21st
iPod touch 2.2 update omits Google Maps improvements
In tandem with the release of the iPhone 2.2 firmware, Apple has published the iPod touch 2.2 update, a separate download through iTunes. The software contains most of the upgrades of its iPhone equivalent, such as auto-correction toggle, mobile podcast downloads, and improvements to Mail. Also present are a variety of security and stability fixes, for components like Safari, Office Viewer and Wi-Fi connectivity, particularly when dealing with WPA-protected networks.
The update appears however to exclude any of the iPhone's upgrades to Google Maps, such as Street View, public transit navigation or sharing information via e-mail. It is unknown why Apple would withhold the changes from Touch users, but the company has charged for some feature upgrades to the player in the past, citing Sarbanes-Oxley accounting rules as the reason. It may have been necessary to omit any serious adjustments to keep the update free.
Filed under: iPod, software
Other story tags: iPod touch
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can't be
Sorry, I have a hard time believing Sarbanes-Oxley is the cause (although always a good thing for people to blame it on, instead of Apple just trying to keep the iPhone the better sibling).
If SO was the cause for this, then it would prevent apple from including ANY new functionality, as they've added functionality across the board since the 2.0 release.
And there's little to the Google Maps feature that one could argue "Adds value" to the iPod (over anything else, esp).
SOX, Touch and Google
The trouble here is that MAYBE Google is charging MORE Apple to access to more of its data (StreetView, foot and transit directions).
So, SOX MIGHT prevent Apple from deploying an update that has an impact on its balance sheet without charging for it.
Yay
I'd rather have fixes and features than more maps. The map feature is less useful on the touch than on the iPhone because it's tied to your ability to connect to a WiFi hotspot. So I find that I rarely use the map feature on my touch.
oh no!
The 2 platforms are not identical, oh no!
wifi
I am just happy Apple fixed the WPA problem and not charge for it. I was getting use to seeing Apple charge for every little thing.
How nice of Apple
Those of us who actually paid more for the Touch than the iPhone users get less features. I guess the Touch is the red-headed step child now.
Re: How nice
Um, you didn't pay more. If you got the iPhone, you'd be saddled with a $70 cell phone bill every month (not counting taxes and other fees, which would make it easily $75 a month).
Um
Unless some of that money goes to Apple it doesn't matter. The update is coming from Apple not AT&T, right? I already paid full price for the device and am getting sloppy seconds in the updates. I realize complaining here won't do anything and the street view doesn't really matter. Just don't want to get left behind if they do come out with a really cool update that I don't get because I'm on a Touch and not an iPhone.