Apple Justifies iLife Price Tag 182
CameronWolf writes "Just in case there was any doubt about Apple computers decision to sell applications they used to give away, I got this response, via email, from Apple upon my enquiry: 'As the iLife applications have become increasingly integrated it has become more and more important for a user to have all of the "correct" versions on their Mac at once, working together, giving a unified user experience. This is one of the main reasons we've decided to offer iLife in suite form only. In addition, for iLife users who want the latest and greatest applications on their Macs, the iLife suite is priced very affordably.' Apple are running an upgrade scheme for those who bought a qualifying Mac after Jan 6th. Too bad I just had to have the iBook G4 the second it was released!" For those who used only the free iLife apps before -- those without SuperDrives -- this reason doesn't make any sense. If the goal were really to make sure you had the latest versions, they could simply make the latest iMovie require the latest iDVD.
Does this make any sense? (Score:5, Insightful)
1) Apple now sells software which used to be free beforehand.
2) Poster asks for explanation from Apple
3) Answer explains why they sell the software in a suit as opposed to single apps, but now why they are now selling what used to be free
4) Story gets on Slashdot
So why is Apple charging for these products? Where's the news here?
It was justified... (Score:3, Insightful)
so people are complaining? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:So, you bought and Apple and got ripped off... (Score:1, Insightful)
I've been nothing but pleased with my Ti Powerbook since I purchased it 18 months ago. The apps are of a very high quality, much better than any compariable windows app.
People need to remember that Apple needs to stay in business. They are offering a great product suite for a very low price. They are not ripping anyone off. We all have our current versions of these apps and if we get a new Mac we get the newest version with it. If you want to always have the newest software you have to pay for it. What the heck is wrong with that?
When was the last time you paid $50... (Score:5, Insightful)
Also, if you have more than 1 computer that you want to install iLife on, you can buy a 5 user family license for $79.
Anyway, the real story should be that iLife is a bargain.
here's me trying really hard to care... (Score:5, Insightful)
As a software person I just can't manage to work up any ire that Apple wants to be paid for some of the work they do.
Comment removed (Score:3, Insightful)
Typical Apple Business Model (Score:5, Insightful)
This is typical for Apple. Not to bash MS, but it's useful to contrast Apple's situation with Microsofts. Apple's customers are its users, MS's customers are the OEMs and large IT operations.
Consequently , Apple updates have to pay for themselves, and give end users a sense of value received for their upgrade fee. MS updates simply have to keep the monopoly rolling so its core business continues to make money. MS would like home users and hobbyists to pay for upgrades and be happy with them, but in the grand scheme of things it is not all that important. Which is why you get update series like 95->98->98SE->ME.
In any closed source application, you can't have every possible permutation you might wish for. The owner has to package things so maintenance and marketing costs are reasonable, and that it provides a good value for its most important customers. It would be nice that if you only needed one tiny slice of the update you could buy it a la carte, but you have to accept that Apple is going to package their software in a way that maximizes revenue and reduces costs.
No problem (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:So, you bought and Apple and got ripped off... (Score:1, Insightful)
when you buy a car, are you entiled to next years model too?
Best deal in software (Score:1, Insightful)
Quit your bitching and drop the $50, people.
Re:So, you bought and Apple and got ripped off... (Score:3, Insightful)
Lots of "punish me harder" comments (Score:5, Insightful)
Personally, I chose a Mac because I demanded more out of a computer. You pay more at the start, you pay more for system upgrades, but you get a machine that does exactly what you tell it (for the most part) and doesn't break for no reason.
I found the "yearly OS upgrade" strategy for Mac OS X pretty suspect. And now that the "iApps" are being pruned from the OS, how could they possibly justify $130 per annum?
Mac users, you don't have to take this. I recommend contacting Apple and telling them exactly how you feel about this. The OS price should drop to $50 if they're going to pull this, or there should be free upgrades to the iApps for at least a few years with the price of system software.
Then again, let's not forget the "chilling effect" that iApps have had on competitors. Safari kills MS internet explorer, iPhoto kills Photoshop Elements, etc...maybe charging for them will open up another window of opportunity for companies other than Apple to produce great Mac software. It seems like it's been awhile...
$50 (Score:2, Insightful)
If you don't, you can (a) buy apple's software, or you can (b) write some yourself and give it away!
What's the gripe? They owe you nothing.
Re: iCal, iSync, and Safari are next (Score:5, Insightful)
Get over it (Score:3, Insightful)
Dude, it's only $49. If you can afford to run out and buy an iBook G4 the second it's released then you can afford $49.
It's not like the old software has stopped working - it will continue to work just fine. If you want the updated software then you buy it.
Re:Does this make any sense? (Score:4, Insightful)
It's an upgrade fee, I don't understand how people can be so mad about this. Are people angry about paying to upgrade their Photoshop?
"I bought Photoshop, that means they should give me the next version for free! Stupid Adobe!"
According to Apple, iPhoto is much better, (faster, less buggy and has new features) and the GarageBand application is brand new!
I know that I sound like an Apple apologist, but come on, you didn't actually think that when you bought an Apple computer that they will solve all your problems with software updates for no cost?
What about iPhoto? (Score:2, Insightful)
I do not find it acceptable that Apple is now charging for the latest version of iPhoto, even if they include it with new Macs. The reason is a very simple one that I think will make sense to anyone who has worked in software development...
iPhoto 4 is a big fix release.
I will say it again. The latest version if iPhoto, 4.0, is a bug fix release. The most appealing feature of his version is that it fixes a problem that has been present in iPhoto since version 1.0, the ridiculously slow speeds with large photo libraries.
It is common practice that major bugs should be fixed as part of free, bug-fix releases. It just isn't right to release buggy software, and then charge people when you make it work the way you promised all along.
Unless Apple makes a revised version of iPhoto 3 available, that works with reasonably-sized photo libraries, it is unethical for them to be charging for iPhoto 4.
Re:It was justified... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:What about iPhoto? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Typical Apple Business Model (Score:2, Insightful)
Hell, I'd be happy to get new versions of AppleWorks, period!
Re:Lots of "punish me harder" comments (Score:3, Insightful)
Calling for-fee upgrade versions "Bait and Switch" is a bit rich. Did Apple ever claim that they'd never charge for future versions of their software?
Just answer this question: if new and exciting upgrades to the iApps justified the cost of system upgrades before, why isn't the OS X pricing dropping now?
Perhaps because the system continues to grow in complexity, thus requiring even more dilligence and attention. The larger and more complex something gets, the more it costs to maintain. Microsoft has a tradition of shirking on this point, and it shows--the more "advanced" their systems get, the more a computer gets bogged down with cruft and flotsam. Contrast this to Apple: not only did 10.3 have a whole bunch of new features and fixes, it was significantly faster than 10.2. This is neither easy nor cheap, and it gets harder and more expensive the more advanced something gets.
Anyhow, I get the feeling I'm not going to be changing any minds. You're clearly so incensed at Apple that you're finished buying their products. Enjoy the one you have!
Cheese and Wine (Score:3, Insightful)
I'm also having trouble seeing how the new iLife suite isn't worth the price. The educational discount cuts the price down to $29 which will set you back a couple Frappucinos for the month. If it isn't worth the upgrade stick with the old stuff. I ordered it because GarageBand seems like an awesome app to play around with. I liked what I saw of SoundTrack but really do not need all of its features nor do I want to spend that sort of money. Even the full retail price isn't too bad considering what's included. It didn't bother me too much paying $50 for a suite of programs I use all the time.