I don't get the big deal with free OS X updates. Apple sells hardware at a premium and you get the software with it. You can't buy Apple software, so why should you be able to buy software upgrades? It should have always been free, just like iOS upgrades are free.
The comparison isn't germane anyway. Apple charges $20-30 for something Microsoft calls a "service pack", which they've always given away for free. I just downloaded Windows 8.1 -- no cost. Amazing how these guys spin stuff and people just eat it up.
Yup - making it sound like paying for software is bad. Considering how long Windows 7 is lasting me, it was worth every penny since I can transfer it between devices!
When you put it that way it doesn't sound nearly as impressive:
Real World:
A) Upgrading the software on our hardware costs money.
B) Upgrading the software on our hardware does not cost money.
Reality Distortion Field:
A) Our software upgrades cost money.
B) Our software upgrades are free! (Look how nice we are now!)
In a way, it reminds me of enterprise updates and services...
My NAS is about 4 years old now, yet I'm still getting brand new software for it, because making that available to me as a brand-loyal customer comes at no extra cost to the manufacturer, because the value is in the upcoming hardware.
(Additionally, I'm less inclined to upgrade my old software when I'm forced to purchase hardware to get access to the same software later anyway)
