Plans for iPad OS Updates Revealed

Yesterday, Apple posted two new files to developers; the iPad documentation and 3.2 firmware. Contained within the documentation of the end-user licensing agreement for the iPad’s software revealed Apple’s plans for the device’s OS updates.

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.

It looks like iPad owners will receive OS 4.x for free, but what happens when OS 5.0 rolls around. I suppose it’s too early to worry about having to pay for updates that should be free. So until then, enjoy your free updates!

[MacRumors]