I wouldn't suggest you post a target date, you'll just end up getting hammered!

But, could you post, keeping it up to date perhaps as it develops, the new features/fixes that 10.1 might be adding -- or at least features that are now fairly definitely going to be included, and can be revealed?

* Orest

The reason I ask is because of difficulty scheduling installation, some people may not take delivery when their unit becomes available.  It would be nice that when the unit is delivered that it has the latest and greatest software so we don't have to worry about installation + software updates.  Also, I'm wondering if I may have to pay for new features before I even install my unit.  That may not matter if no additional cost features are planned to be released any time soon, but it would be great if you had more up your sleeves.

 

Software updates post release are likely to be a part of the environment, some completing the package, and some featuring charge up options.  At the time I argued that updates which represent the standard IFD540 version as sold at that time should be "no charge" to we early purchasers.  Those which represent options for which a de novo buyer would be upcharged at the time of their purchase would be fair game for Avidyne to charge us as well.

 

They didn't reveal any policy on this, though.

Each release will be evaluated on a case by case basis.  That being said, there are some general guidelines:

2.  Releases with feature enhancements/improvements and modest new feature adds are typically made available at no charge.

3.  Big feature adds that add whole new functionality, especially functionality that was not publicly disclosed at product announce have the possibility/likelihood of some modest charge.   We will make every effort to make those optional adds truly optional.  If you want all the "normal" stuff but don't want the "jet assist pack" option, you can get the release without the optional jet pack feature and the charge that would incur.

I'd like to think these guidelines actually meet David's goal listed above.

And to follow-up on the earlier question, yes, when a unit ships from the factory, it goes out with latest/greatest software.    This should provide a mechanism for previous shipments and later shipments to have the same software, or opportunity for the same software.

Make sense?

* - Longer answer = Yes but.   "But" needs to added to cover unanticipated decisions or implementations that we may have to use for various reasons (yeah, I know how open-ended that may be interpreted as).   I think your cited example, adding or taking advantage of a built-in AHRS would clearly be broken out as an optional add on a retail price sheet and therefore resulted in the qualified "Yes".     I don't think it's reasonable to assume that the standard feature set on an IFD540 8 years from now is an automatic backward freebie for those who bought on day 1.  It might be but there is no guarantee.  To me, an analog is going to Apple today to buy the latest iMac computer  and then expecting Apple to upgrade my machine for free 8 years later no questions asked.    Am I missing your point?

Thanks.

* Orest

However, all the features in the box (not price sheet options) when the last pre-buyer gets his unit should also be available to all pre-buyers at no extra charge. From Steve's last message, that is what I expect to be the case.

 

Jake, that's exactly what I understood and what I think is fair.

 

Some features may be provisioned but not activated, and for the short future anyway, I think those of us who took delivery of a V 1.0 box should be kept whole as you said.

 

Thanks - and FWIW I am looking forward to revisions and am not averse to paying for things worth paying for as it were.

 

I don't think the Apple analogy holds with your intent, however; I have had my Mac for years, and new software versions which utilize present hardware are no charge; i.e., unless I am very forgetful I have gone from Mountain Lion, to the intermediate version of the OS, to Mavericks without charge.

 

The paradigm about an AHRS would require new hardware, unless there is more cloaked than we know about.  I'd love to see an FMS that drives an AP directly, but not sure that IFD540 has all the necessary components, including a heading system.

 

David