Apple may charge for 802.11n upgrade. Blame Enron

[Stuart]

Apparently, any Mac bought in the last year or so already has 802.11n built in, but requires a software upgrade. It is currently rumoured that in the US, at least, this upgrade will cost $4.99 .

This is where it gets confusing. Apparently, Enron are to blame. The US Government introduced rules to control Accounting in the wake of the Enron collapse.

These rules stipulate that if any product has a significant upgrade, then it has to make some money in the quarter that the upgrade is introduced in..

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01...fi_fee_update/

Now, I personally wouldn't count it as an upgrade, as the hardware for it is built into the Mac, and therefore has been bought (and realised revenue) already.

However, it's worth noting a couple of things. First, this is a US Law, so won't apply here. Second, it's still a rumour.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

However, it's worth noting a couple of things. First, this is a US Law, so won't apply here. Second, it's still a rumour.

It is a US law and apple reports its numbers under US GAAP and need to consider US law and GAAP in all its activity, so don't expect it to be free overseas.
Seems a little tenouous to me. It is a wireless device, it is still a wireless device after the software upgrade. Go figure.

[DocDutch]

heard on a couple of Dutch forums the same thing as you Stuart. on the dutch forums they have checked with Apple and they said in EU its gonna cost something like €4.99, but that has only been said by 5 users on there.

it will be up for download on sites soon enough. Apple wont bother too much about it because as long as they dont have another law suit i doubt there care