Apple Denies Rumors of Selling Off Pro Apps

MacRumors · 04:58 PM

TVBEurope quotes Richard Townhill, Apple's director of marketing for professional video applications regarding some recent rumors that Apple might be trying to sell off its "Pro Apps" (Final Cut Pro and associated applications) to another company.

Townhill strongly denied the rumors and said "I can categorically state, on the record, that is not the case".

Whispers of rumors that Apple was shopping around its Pro Apps, such as Final Cut Pro, had circulated over the past few months. The speculation may have been further fueled by Apple's decision to not exhibit at NAB this year. This uncharacteristic comment by Apple, however, should put these rumors to rest.

Article Link

supremedesigner · May 5, 2008, 04:53 PM

Buried as inaccurate. Too rumor-ish. heh

Grimace · May 5, 2008, 04:55 PM

Software titles have much higher margins than hardware.

Not gonna happen!

avigalante · May 5, 2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimace

Software titles have much higher margins than hardware.

Not gonna happen!

+1

Software has such high margins that it's unfathomable.

bdkennedy1 · May 5, 2008, 05:04 PM

There have been many times Apple has completely denied one thing, only to do the complete opposite later.

If it happens, I'm sure they will let us know about it.

Marzzz · May 5, 2008, 05:08 PM

There has been rampant concern about this on the Logic Users' Group mailing list- hopefully this will settle all that....

JonasLondon · May 5, 2008, 05:08 PM

As stated previously, the fact that Apple is not doing NAB 2008 may very well be a sound business decision. After all, everybody knows about and loves FCS2 and Shake etc., and Shake will have been transformed/merged into something major come 2009. "Phenomenon" has been hinted at from Apple, and be sure it will come in 2009.

superleccy · May 5, 2008, 05:08 PM

Well, good news. I'd be heartbroken if Apple got rid of Logic.

Although... it would be nice if they fixed just a few of the outstanding bugs.

SL

Hls811 · May 5, 2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdkennedy1

There have been many times Apple has completely denied one thing, only to do the complete opposite later.

If it happens, I'm sure they will let us know about it.

As opposed to them doing it and not telling anyone?

dongmin · May 5, 2008, 05:18 PM

Don't forget that a lot of "iApp" technologies make their debut in the pro apps. The Pro Apps keep Apple on the cutting edge.

CalfCanuck · May 5, 2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avigalante

+1

Software has such high margins that it's unfathomable.

While this is generally true, for Apple they can run their Pro Apps division at break even and still have it contribute to the bottom line, much like the free consumer apps.

Just like the iTunes store, the pro apps drive sales of high end desktops and laptops - for every $400 upgrade of the App, the user buys a new $5000 computer.

Clive At Five · May 5, 2008, 05:18 PM

Nothing has changed here... Apple is still using software to sell hardware.

For professionals, there are only a few options... and Apple's integrated model is one of the more powerful and diverse ones.

Selling off pro apps opens the suite to possible dual-platform migration and thenceforth, dillution of the suites operability and performance on Macs.

-Clive

kockgunner · May 5, 2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avigalante

+1

Software has such high margins that it's unfathomable.

especially pro apps (ie. photoshop, final cut studio)

LethalWolfe · May 5, 2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimace

Software titles have much higher margins than hardware.

Not gonna happen!

If the Pro Apps operate above the break even point I'd be surprised. They are positioned as loss leaders to push hardware sales as well as prestige pieces in Apple press releases.

Lethal

deathshrub · May 5, 2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremedesigner

Buried as inaccurate. Too rumor-ish. heh

This is not digg.

Applepi · May 5, 2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathshrub

This is not digg.

qft.

Sky Blue · May 5, 2008, 04:53 PM

It would make no sense to sell them off.

esquared · May 5, 2008, 04:55 PM

definitely page 2 rumor, enough already.

kwong2006 · May 5, 2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquared

definitely page 2 rumor, enough already.

A Page 2 classification would be glorifying this piece of trash. Page 10 should do it

Brianstorm91 · May 5, 2008, 04:55 PM

Maybe not their apps, but that's not where their main interests lie either nowadays.

fluidedge · May 5, 2008, 04:55 PM

ffs the pro apps are too woven into the fabric of apple to be sold off.

They rely so heavily on QT - if they sell the pro apps they don't have control over the quicktime/app balance and integration.

The apps also feed down to other apps. Final Cut and iMovie share a lot of features and code, so if they sell the apps where does that leave the consumer apps?

Pro apps are never going to be sold off. Apple has $alot billion in the bank, why do they need to raise a few million more?

It is a bit disappointing that the apps do seem to have slowed down in development and new features though.

skellener · May 5, 2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluidedge

It is a bit disappointing that the apps do seem to have slowed down in development and new features though.

I'll bet they haven't finished adding Bluray authoring to FC Studio. Probably one of the reasons why they skipped NAB and haven't added drives to any Macs yet. I really want to see what happens with Motion and "Phenomenon" in the next year or so.

skellener · May 5, 2008, 07:59 PM

I sure hope they DON'T buy Adobe. Creaky old code. Adobe is the past. Time to move on. Lots of new apps coming to the market now taking advantage of the tools in OS X. I think Adobe is over.

mixel · May 5, 2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skellener

I sure hope they DON'T buy Adobe. Creaky old code. Adobe is the past. Time to move on. Lots of new apps coming to the market now taking advantage of the tools in OS X. I think Adobe is over.

I keep seeing this said, and it's still nonsense.

There may be alternatives to Adobe for video editing, music production etc.. There is no Photoshop competitor. Nothing comes close, nothing is even approaching coming close. Adobe know this. Apple know this. Anyone who uses Photoshop seriously and has tried the other apps knows this.

Make something like PS and you end up with a hell of a lot of code. It runs like a champ even on my old dual G5 though.. Not creaky!

And then there's the little issue of Flash, which love it or loath it, it's an important part of the web now.

Even if better apps came along that killed Adobe in all of the creative fields - if they were osX exclusive Adobe would still have all the millions of windows users. So, Adobe are here to stay. Fortunately from my point of view.

On topic though, I doubt this would ever happen! Apple need the pro apps.. I wish they'd sell the apps seperately though, I only really want/need Motion - what am I supposed to do then?

blur35mm · May 5, 2008, 05:19 PM

Anyone have any idea when Final Cut Studio 3 is coming out? Are they going to squeeze Shake into the box this time?

May 5, 2008, 04:51 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple Denies Rumors of Selling Off Pro Apps TVBEurope quotes Richard Townhill, Apple's director of marketing for professional video applications regarding some recent rumors that Apple might be trying to sell off its "Pro Apps" (Final Cut Pro and associated applications) to another company. Townhill strongly denied the rumors and said "I can categorically state, on the record, that is not the case". Whispers of rumors that Apple was shopping around its Pro Apps, such as Final Cut Pro, had circulated over the past few months. The speculation may have been further fueled by Apple's decision to not exhibit at NAB this year. This uncharacteristic comment by Apple, however, should put these rumors to rest. Article Link Last edited by arn : May 5, 2008 at 04:58 PM.

May 5, 2008, 04:53 PM	#2
supremedesigner macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2005	Buried as inaccurate. Too rumor-ish. heh __________________ aaron.im 

May 5, 2008, 04:55 PM	#3
Grimace Contributor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: with Hamburglar.	Software titles have much higher margins than hardware. Not gonna happen! __________________ Canon 1Ds Mk III • Canon 5D MkII 16-35mm f/2.8L II • 24-70mm f/2.8L • 70-200mm f/2.8L IS 50mm f/1.2L • 85mm f/1.2L • 135mm f/2L • 300mm f/2.8L IS

May 5, 2008, 05:08 PM	#7
JonasLondon macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London	Phenomenal Phenomenon in 2009. Nuff said. As stated previously, the fact that Apple is not doing NAB 2008 may very well be a sound business decision. After all, everybody knows about and loves FCS2 and Shake etc., and Shake will have been transformed/merged into something major come 2009. "Phenomenon" has been hinted at from Apple, and be sure it will come in 2009. __________________ //By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community.// Oscar Wilde

May 5, 2008, 05:08 PM	#8
superleccy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: England	Well, good news. I'd be heartbroken if Apple got rid of Logic. Although... it would be nice if they fixed just a few of the outstanding bugs. SL __________________ 15" MBP: 2.4GHz C2D SR; now 4GB RAM; 160GB 5400rpm HD; Matte; 20" Cinema Disp. 14" iBook G4: 1.33GHz; 768MB RAM; 80GB HD. Switched Nov '04.

May 5, 2008, 05:04 PM	#5
bdkennedy1 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2003	There have been many times Apple has completely denied one thing, only to do the complete opposite later. If it happens, I'm sure they will let us know about it.

May 5, 2008, 05:08 PM	#6
Marzzz macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Desert	There has been rampant concern about this on the Logic Users' Group mailing list- hopefully this will settle all that....

May 5, 2008, 05:18 PM	#10
dongmin macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2002	Don't forget that a lot of "iApp" technologies make their debut in the pro apps. The Pro Apps keep Apple on the cutting edge.

May 5, 2008, 05:18 PM	#12
Clive At Five macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2004 Location: St. Paul, MN	Nothing has changed here... Apple is still using software to sell hardware. For professionals, there are only a few options... and Apple's integrated model is one of the more powerful and diverse ones. Selling off pro apps opens the suite to possible dual-platform migration and thenceforth, dillution of the suites operability and performance on Macs. -Clive __________________ My Mod: G4 Cube + Atom 330 CPU + Wiimote = Ultimate HTPC!

May 5, 2008, 04:53 PM	#17
Sky Blue macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2005	It would make no sense to sell them off.

May 5, 2008, 04:55 PM	#18
esquared macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2005	definitely page 2 rumor, enough already.

May 5, 2008, 04:55 PM	#20
Brianstorm91 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hampshire, England.	Maybe not their apps, but that's not where their main interests lie either nowadays. __________________ 12.1" PowerBook G4; 23" Apple Cinema Display; 40GB Playstation 3; 16GB iPod Touch

May 5, 2008, 04:55 PM	#21
fluidedge macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2007	ffs the pro apps are too woven into the fabric of apple to be sold off. They rely so heavily on QT - if they sell the pro apps they don't have control over the quicktime/app balance and integration. The apps also feed down to other apps. Final Cut and iMovie share a lot of features and code, so if they sell the apps where does that leave the consumer apps? Pro apps are never going to be sold off. Apple has $alot billion in the bank, why do they need to raise a few million more? It is a bit disappointing that the apps do seem to have slowed down in development and new features though.

May 5, 2008, 07:59 PM	#23
skellener macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So. Cal.	I sure hope they DON'T buy Adobe. Creaky old code. Adobe is the past. Time to move on. Lots of new apps coming to the market now taking advantage of the tools in OS X. I think Adobe is over.

May 5, 2008, 05:19 PM	#25
blur35mm macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2007	Where is FS3? Anyone have any idea when Final Cut Studio 3 is coming out? Are they going to squeeze Shake into the box this time?

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