Universal Aperture Update Free

[MacRumors]

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Rob Galbraith has noted (http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-7890-8175) that Apple updated their site and will be offering all owners of Aperture a free update to the Universal Binary version.

A Universal version of Aperture, which will run natively on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Mac computers, will be available before the end of March 2006. New and existing owners of Aperture will be able to crossgrade to the Universal version at no additional charge via Software Update.

Aperture was recently released in November 2005.

[odedia]

That's the way it should be for all apple pro apps. With all due respect for Apple's developement efforts, it was their decision to switch platforms, so they should provide adequte support for paying customers. They may charge whatever they want for a new version. But existing versions should be distributed free for ppc owners.

[Super Dave]

This is just Apple being afraid of Lightroom. Too bad they weren't also fearful of a high end non-linear video editing software competitor. Then everyone would get free application crossgrades.

David:cool:

[nagromme]

Aperture certainly SHOULD be free--it just came out (and it sounds like it needs a bug-fix update anyway).

It's nice to be able to have Software Update convert your app to native for you.


But existing versions should be distributed free for ppc owners.

Everyone's assuming it will be "existing versions" that are made Universal, and if so then I agree that $49 is about $40 too steep for a new DVD. But in fact Apple may well have made the same (and reasonable) choice as Adobe: make the NEXT version--with added features--Universal.

In which case you're paying for a feature upgrade, and so are people who are staying with PPC. But if you need Universal, you get that into the bargain.

$49 would be low for a major pro app upgrade, so I'm thinking you'll get new features but not a while generational leap.

We'll know in March.

[nutmac]

Since Aperture refuses to install on Intel Macs, I am curious as to how Apple can feed the update via Software Update.

[mdavey]

But existing versions should be distributed free for ppc owners.

How do you know it won't be? All Apple said was that if you want a Universal CD of your existing Pro app, there will be a $49 "crossgrade" fee. That still leaves the possibility open for Apple to offer free software updates that will convert the application to a universal binary on your HDD.

[thequicksilver]

How do you know it won't be? All Apple said was that if you want a Universal CD of your existing Pro app, there will be a $49 "crossgrade" fee. That still leaves the possibility open for Apple to offer free software updates that will convert the application to a universal binary on your HDD.

If Jobs had meant this, he'd have said it.

I won't discount that it's a theoretical possibility, but why else would Apple pre-announce a fee paying upgrade only to supersede it with a free update when it comes to fruition? Makes no sense.

I always felt the fee - no matter how small - was a bit weak, especially for Aperture. Apple at least should do it for free - after all, all these professionals who need these Universal Binary apps will have plumped a heck of a lot of cash into a new iMac/MBP - a bit of goodwill wouldn't go amiss. I'm glad they've done it for Aperture, especially given its newness, but feel that every MacBook Pro purchaser who can prove they have a licensed version of Final Cut/Logic etc should get the crossgrade for free.

[odedia]

How do you know it won't be? All Apple said was that if you want a Universal CD of your existing Pro app, there will be a $49 "crossgrade" fee. That still leaves the possibility open for Apple to offer free software updates that will convert the application to a universal binary on your HDD.

I watched Steve's keynote twice, and I think he was very very clear: You want a Universal Binary? Pay 49$.

[SpaceMagic]

Feeling the pressure from Lightroom! Hehe... competition is soo healthy!

[Some_Big_Spoon]

The single, solitary reason that Apple's pulled a 180 on this is Lightroom. If Adobe didn't release it, you'd be paying $49 on top of the $500 you just laid out, plus the new mac.

Competition is good, no matter the arena. Apple wants your money, and it'll do everything it can to get it. No different that any other company.

Feeling the pressure from Lightroom! Hehe... competition is soo healthy!

[SiliconAddict]

Yah know. Honestly I'm more interested in Lightroom the Aperture. Lightroom’s requirements are drastically lower then Aperture's. All things being equal if its runs at a pretty good clip on a older PowerBook it should scream on a new MacBook vs. Aperture running sluggishly on older hardware and prob running OK on a new MacBook. Time will tell though. I'll prob pirate Aperture (Keep your panties on its for testing purposes.) and download the demo of Lightroom and try them both before I make a final decision. I'm a big enough shutterbug that iPhoto isn't going to cut it for me.

[BlueRevolution]

as some people have pointed out, the Pro apps won't even install on an Intel-based Mac, so Software Update isn't an option. but would making the universal packages available for free download be so hard? all the Pro apps ship on DVD, but most of the DVD is filled with video tutorials and templates. Aperture is 20 MB with those removed, Final Cut Pro.app weighs in at 323 MB, the Shake folder is 80 MB. hardly heavyweights to download.

they're welcome to require serial, dongle or whatever else prevents unauthorized downloads. but if they can offer Developer Tools, a 900 something MB download, they can offer the Pro apps too.

DVD trade in is a valid service to offer and it's understandable that they would charge for it. but downloadable upgrades aren't impossible either. hell, they could even ship the uni packages on the Restore DVD for the MBP. I'm sure the Intel sales would be higher if the Pro users had this confidence.

[steve_hill4]

This is a good move, although I think the Universal binary should be available now, after all they could have developed both alongside each other [ducks to avoid flames from developers].

Talking of dates, has anyone got more of a clue when the MacBook Pro will be available? February isn't very descriptive as it's almost upon us. Will it be next week, towards the end of February or sometime that month when Apple feel it's ready?

[mdavey]

I won't discount that it's a theoretical possibility, but why else would Apple pre-announce a fee paying upgrade only to supersede it with a free update when it comes to fruition?

Not supercede, it is a (subtly) different market. If you need the physical media so you can install it on Intel systems, you will have to pay the $49 crossgrade fee. This is particularly important for businesses and education establishments on volume licensing. Alternatively, one may choose to wait for the next version to obtain a universal binary.

For those that are running on PowerPC now, Apple might choose to provide the universal version via Software Update. If the user later moves to Intel, they can simply move the application across. But what happens if the user subsequently formats the HDD on the PowerPC and sells it and then needs to reinstall the OS and apps on the Intel box? Seems to me that people will need to obtain the universal binary on CD sooner or later.

I will concede, however, that the way the Apple website currently reads it doesn't sound like the scenario I've outlined is the one that Apple intends to take.

[Some_Big_Spoon]

People's shipping dates range from feb 15 to sometime in late march. Those are all estimates, your milage may vary.

Talking of dates, has anyone got more of a clue when the MacBook Pro will be available? February isn't very descriptive as it's almost upon us. Will it be next week, towards the end of February or sometime that month when Apple feel it's ready?

[andysmith]

Perhaps they'll offer some sort of 'loader' as a download - that allows Aperture to be installed. Then make it show up in Software Update to make it into a Universal Binary.

[solvs]

The $49 is probably for the media and shipping. Sucks, but small price to pay for what you'd get. Considering the new versions of the pro apps might be out or at least announced by then, and will more than likely be Universal as is, this may just be Apple's way of getting you to want to upgrade. ;)

[BlueRevolution]

you're right. it may even be Apple's way of covering the question of "why aren't they universal yet?", the answer being "because there's a new version in n weeks."

or not.