Apple serves up $1.99 AirPort Extreme 802.11n Enabler
Along with colored iPod shuffle models, Apple on Tuesday put up for sale a highly controversial software patch that will let owners of its latest Intel-based Macs activate next-generation wireless technologies hidden inside their computers.
"Many Mac computers with an Intel Core 2 Duo and all Mac Pro computers with AirPort Extreme can be enabled to access 802.11n-based wireless networks," Apple wrote in a description of the $1.99 software update posted to its online store. "If you purchased one of these Macs, you can use the AirPort Extreme 802.11n Enabler software to activate this advanced wireless capability."
Those customers who plan to purchase or have already placed orders for the company's 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station need not purchase the software update separately, as it will be included free with the new Apple router.
Apple said Macs that have 802.11n hardware built-in include the MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo, MacBook with Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac Pro with AirPort Extreme option, and iMac with Intel Core 2 Duo (except the 17-inch, 1.83GHz iMac).
The company recommends that customers check to make sure that their Mac does not already have the 802.11n enabler installed before purchasing the software patch. To do so, Intel Mac owners should open the "Network Utility" application (found in the Applications > Utilities folder), choose "Network Interface (en1)" under the "Info" tab, and then inspect the information provided under "Model: Wireless Network Adapter." If it says "(802.11a/b/g/n)," the Mac already has the 802.11n enabler installed. If it says (802.11a/b/g), the Mac does not have the 802.11n enabler installed.
Apple, which originally intended to charge $4.99 for the software enabler, has come under immense criticism from both customers and the media for imposing any such fee. In a statement to CNet News, Apple spokesperson Lynn Fox said the company was required under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to charge customers for the software upgrade.
"The nominal distribution fee for the 802.11n software is required in order for Apple to comply with generally accepted accounting principles for revenue recognition, which generally require that we charge for significant feature enhancements, such as 802.11n, when added to previously purchased products," she said.
However, several prominent accounting later blasted Apple's reasoning, claiming that GAAP does not require that companies charge for retroactive product enhancements but rather provides a set of guidelines on how the related accounting for such updates should be recorded.
"GAAP doesn't require you to charge squat," Lynn Turner, a former chief accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission, told the Wall Street Journal. "You charge whatever you want. GAAP doesn't even remotely address whether or not you charge for a significant functionality change. GAAP establishes what the proper accounting is, based on what you did or didn't charge for it."
Apple has since remained mum on the matter.
"Many Mac computers with an Intel Core 2 Duo and all Mac Pro computers with AirPort Extreme can be enabled to access 802.11n-based wireless networks," Apple wrote in a description of the $1.99 software update posted to its online store. "If you purchased one of these Macs, you can use the AirPort Extreme 802.11n Enabler software to activate this advanced wireless capability."
Those customers who plan to purchase or have already placed orders for the company's 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station need not purchase the software update separately, as it will be included free with the new Apple router.
Apple said Macs that have 802.11n hardware built-in include the MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo, MacBook with Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac Pro with AirPort Extreme option, and iMac with Intel Core 2 Duo (except the 17-inch, 1.83GHz iMac).
The company recommends that customers check to make sure that their Mac does not already have the 802.11n enabler installed before purchasing the software patch. To do so, Intel Mac owners should open the "Network Utility" application (found in the Applications > Utilities folder), choose "Network Interface (en1)" under the "Info" tab, and then inspect the information provided under "Model: Wireless Network Adapter." If it says "(802.11a/b/g/n)," the Mac already has the 802.11n enabler installed. If it says (802.11a/b/g), the Mac does not have the 802.11n enabler installed.
Apple, which originally intended to charge $4.99 for the software enabler, has come under immense criticism from both customers and the media for imposing any such fee. In a statement to CNet News, Apple spokesperson Lynn Fox said the company was required under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to charge customers for the software upgrade.
"The nominal distribution fee for the 802.11n software is required in order for Apple to comply with generally accepted accounting principles for revenue recognition, which generally require that we charge for significant feature enhancements, such as 802.11n, when added to previously purchased products," she said.
However, several prominent accounting later blasted Apple's reasoning, claiming that GAAP does not require that companies charge for retroactive product enhancements but rather provides a set of guidelines on how the related accounting for such updates should be recorded.
"GAAP doesn't require you to charge squat," Lynn Turner, a former chief accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission, told the Wall Street Journal. "You charge whatever you want. GAAP doesn't even remotely address whether or not you charge for a significant functionality change. GAAP establishes what the proper accounting is, based on what you did or didn't charge for it."
Apple has since remained mum on the matter.
Comments
So some laptops already have it enabled? This is BS. I purchased a 15" MacBook Pro 2.33Ghz a week ago today and it didn't have it enabled, so this begs the question which ones were already enabled?
Likely those built following Apple's initial disclosure a couple of weeks ago. Your model was likely built prior and sitting in the channel until you purchased it. You may try giving Apple Care a call.
Best,
K
Likely those built following Apple's initial disclosure a couple of weeks ago. Your model was likely built prior and sitting in the channel until you purchased it. You may try giving Apple Care a call.
Best,
K
Or, if you're not in middle school or high school then $2 shouldn't be that big of a deal.
Or, if you're not in middle school or high school then $2 shouldn't be that big of a deal.
I understand that and I already went ahead and downloaded it because my time on the phone with them is worth more then $2, I was just wondering why a 1 week old would not already include this update, since some apparently are.
"GAAP doesn't require you to charge squat," Lynn Turner, a former chief accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission, told the Wall Street Journal. "You charge whatever you want. GAAP doesn't even remotely address whether or not you charge for a significant functionality change. GAAP establishes what the proper accounting is, based on what you did or didn't charge for it."
While that statement is true in it's own vacuum, the accounting rules force penalties to income if you don't charge. What public company wants to readjust past earnings because they ship a software upgrade? Let alone try to track this stuff across quarter boundaries?
[Edit: Now on another look, what the heck is Lynn Turner and everyone else riled up about? Apple said it was the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that forveed the charge, not Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Completely different subjects? No?]
Then forget it.
It makes no difference.
C.
While that statement is true in it's own vacuum, the accounting rules force penalties to income if you don't charge. What public company wants to readjust past earnings because they ship a software upgrade? Let alone try to track this stuff across quarter boundaries?
I completely agree. It does not state the price of the 'improvement', but it does say you have choices to when and how the income is reported. You 1) charge for the improvement in the quarter that it is delivered, 2) defer all revenue from the product to be upgraded to the quarter that the imiprovement is delivered.
If apple were to give this away free to ALL MBP owners, ALL of the sales EVERY MBP would have to be deferred on the books untill the Quarter that the 'improvement' is delivered. This would have tanked apple's stock at the end of Q4 and been more costly to the stock owners as well as the company in general than 'charging $2 for the improvement'.
It is time that all of the complainers get over it.
Not many companies will do that.
"You cannot install Airport Extreme 802.11n Enabler on this volume. This volume does not meet the requirements for this update."
This is my computer:
Machine Name
Machine Model
Processor Name
Processor Speed
Number Of Processors
Total Number Of Cores
L2 Cache (per processor)
Memory
Bus Speed
Boot ROM Version
SMC Version
Any help?
Apple was doing customers (and investors!!!) a favor by waiting until now.
IF I worked for Apple I would think that the people complaining were being ungrateful. If all you want to buy from Apple is an empty box filled with used pinball machine parts then go buy a DELL and maybe you will like that better.
Seriuosly, the company that puts technology into the hands of people that dont know what it is and dont apprciate it or actually use it for anything (because they want to take it for granted) isn't Apple, its DELL. If you think new technology that integrates, and is easy to use, and doesnt couse you stress is a right instead of a priveledge, then you would be better of buying a Dell and learning the hard way that the real world doesn't work that way.
While that statement is true in it's own vacuum, the accounting rules force penalties to income if you don't charge. What public company wants to readjust past earnings because they ship a software upgrade? Let alone try to track this stuff across quarter boundaries?
That's not quite true.
Apple will receive favorable tax accounting IF they charge this fee.
But, IF they don't, there are no penalties involved over normal accounting practices.
By charging this fee, they are actually receiving a tax bonus.
That's very different.
I've downloaded the Airport Extreme 802.11n Enabler and then tried to install it. I get this message:
"You cannot install Airport Extreme 802.11n Enabler on this volume. This volume does not meet the requirements for this update."
Any help?
Make sure you have all the latest System and Airport software updates.
I completely agree. It does not state the price of the 'improvement', but it does say you have choices to when and how the income is reported. You 1) charge for the improvement in the quarter that it is delivered, 2) defer all revenue from the product to be upgraded to the quarter that the imiprovement is delivered.
If apple were to give this away free to ALL MBP owners, ALL of the sales EVERY MBP would have to be deferred on the books untill the Quarter that the 'improvement' is delivered. This would have tanked apple's stock at the end of Q4 and been more costly to the stock owners as well as the company in general than 'charging $2 for the improvement'.
It is time that all of the complainers get over it.
Stop promulgating this nonsense. This has already been shown to be untrue.
Read the articles in the WSJ and the NYTimes that came out weeks ago. The tax authorities have already debunked this claptrap.
I've downloaded the Airport Extreme 802.11n Enabler and then tried to install it. I get this message:
"You cannot install Airport Extreme 802.11n Enabler on this volume. This volume does not meet the requirements for this update."
This is my computer:
Machine Name
Machine Model
Processor Name
Processor Speed
Number Of Processors
Total Number Of Cores
L2 Cache (per processor)
Memory
Bus Speed
Boot ROM Version
SMC Version
Any help?
Call Apple. That's the best way.
Thanks to Vinney, I withdraw my comment.
Make sure you have all the latest System and Airport software updates.
Thanks, Vinney. Installing this:before installing the enabler did the trick.
Stop promulgating this nonsense. This has already been shown to be untrue.
Read the articles in the WSJ and the NYTimes that came out weeks ago. The tax authorities have already debunked this claptrap.
Those 'tax athorities' were misleading people like you. They were brutally honest, but broke the honesty by not providing the proper proceedures and choices. You should learn to read the primary sources of the tax laws and not rely on reporters who have an agenda to promote.
Those 'tax athorities' were misleading people like you. They were brutally honest, but broke the honesty by not providing the proper proceedures and choices. You should learn to read the primary sources of the tax laws and not rely on reporters who have an agenda to promote.
You obviously haven't read the articles in question, or you wouldn't be making the statement that those (reporters) have an agenda, so we can disregard the writing, so your comments about them are worthless. If you had, you would have read the statements from those who wrote those laws, and rules. Their comments are most relevant. No one else is dismissing them as you are, so apparently you haven't read them in context.
The same conclusions have also been reached by other tax authorities in academia..
One doesn't have to read the actual statutes when all of those who are qualified agree in their conclusions.
You seem to be taking Apple at their word. Good luck with that.