Apple Store Integration In Tiger?

MacRumors · Sep 22, 2004, 12:07 PM

Based on some screen shots posted at AppleInsider, it seems the Apple Online store will be accessible at the system level, offering to link consumable purchases directly from within the new Printer Setup Utility 4.0. The option, when selected, takes the user to the corresponding ink cartridge page within the Apple Online Store. This would surely eliminate the confusion of buying cartidges from the myriad of options for printers, narrowing the field to only products that worked with the user's particular model of printer.

SilentPanda · Sep 22, 2004, 12:10 PM

I guess that's not too bad... I do dislike the link on the Apple menu which opens up your web browser to Apple's store... (not at my Mac so I forget what it says)...

Whigga Spitta · Sep 22, 2004, 12:10 PM

when you get a dead pixel, will they refer you to the displays section?

tromboneaholic · Sep 22, 2004, 12:10 PM

I won't usit it for consumables because Apple is more expensive than Buy.com....

But if it can make Apple a buck, I guess it's OK if a bit annoying.

Inkmonkey · Sep 22, 2004, 12:12 PM

I'm sure you'll pay a premium for the convenience. Much like ordering prints from iPhoto.

slightly · Sep 22, 2004, 12:14 PM

If you can configure the link to whichever online retailer you prefer (eg eink4u.com), that would be pretty cool. If it confines you to the Apple Store, then there's not a lot of benefit to the customer, unless they like getting *everything* from Apple.

Zaty · Sep 22, 2004, 12:17 PM

It's not a bad idea at all. Some not so tech-savvy people will be happy if they just can order new ink cartridges without having to find out what kind of cartridge they need for their printers.

bcsmith · Sep 22, 2004, 12:17 PM

This is just another one of those things that makes Mac's more convenient to use - more expensive too, but you don't have to use the service. I'm sure that this will help out some poor schlub along the way so it a good thing(tm).

pgwalsh · Sep 22, 2004, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inkmonkey

I'm sure you'll pay a premium for the convenience. Much like ordering prints from iPhoto.

Exactly... What would be cool is if they didn't charge a premium and it gave you a variety of stores to purchase from. Sort of like Pricewatch built into the OS...

wdlove · Sep 22, 2004, 12:23 PM

It will certainly make web browsing a little more convenient.

MM2270 · Sep 22, 2004, 12:25 PM

Well, not sure I like the idea too much. I suppose it might be nice for some folks, but if it only links to Apple I don't love it.
Look, I'm a huge Apple fan and long time user. I want them to continue to thrive, but if MS did something like this in their OS, we would all be on here complaining that they were trying to exert their monopoly on the poor witless end user. How is Apple doing this any different?

If it turns out you can link to any store, I'll eat my words. But somehow I doubt that will be the case.

j33pd0g · 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slightly

If you can configure the link to whichever online retailer you prefer (eg eink4u.com), that would be pretty cool. If it confines you to the Apple Store, then there's not a lot of benefit to the customer, unless they like getting *everything* from Apple.

I'm sure there'll be some sort of haxie, or 3rd party share-ware that will be able to modify said link. People love messing with new OS's like this.

hmmmm... system wide shopping channels would be cool. After a while (after it catches on) online shops could develope their own channles that work hand in hand with their site.

Counterfit · Sep 22, 2004, 12:27 PM

Didn't MS do something similar to this in regards to pictures and/or music? And didn't they almost get in trouble for it?

dstorey · Sep 22, 2004, 12:27 PM

I wonder if this is using some sort of web services frame work, probably related to WebObjects,using SOAP et al. At my university they are continually talking about how web services are the future of computing. Using a web service to link into the data on the store woyuld be a nice use of this tech.

Macaddicttt · Sep 22, 2004, 12:28 PM

I think this is a good thing. Yes, some people will end up paying more than they should for some things, but those people probably would spend more money buying the wrong things or getting ripped off by some salesman at a big store. This reminds me of a scene I saw at an Apple Store once...

Some guy was inquiring about the G5s, making sure that they could do word processing, email, internet browsing, and databases. And then he wanted to know if he needed the 2.0 over the 1.8. The salesman made no attempt to direct him to the bottom-of-the-line eMac that would have been more than enough power for him.

wordmunger · Sep 22, 2004, 12:30 PM

I think this could be good if it linked to a froogle-like interface and allowed you to choose preferred vendors. It could be bad if it forced you to the Apple Store.

ibjoshua · Sep 22, 2004, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MM2270

Well, not sure I like the idea too much. I suppose it might be nice for some folks, but if it only links to Apple I don't love it.
Look, I'm a huge Apple fan and long time user. I want them to continue to thrive, but if MS did something like this in their OS, we would all be on here complaining that they were trying to exert their monopoly on the poor witless end user. How is Apple doing this any different?

If it turns out you can link to any store, I'll eat my words. But somehow I doubt that will be the case.

what s/he said.

i_b_joshua

benpatient · Sep 22, 2004, 12:44 PM

how tragic.

do you really think that there are people who can't read the model number on the front of their printer? What kind of idiots can't figure that out? Worst case, you might have to open the top of the printer and read the big, obvious model number on the top of the ink cartridge. It's just an excuse to try and get that 1% of blind, stupid, lazy people to spend 20-30% more for the same products that they can buy anywhere else just as easily. I suppose our user accounts will have to get our credit card numbers for this to work, right? And gee, sir, we noticed that your version of Photoshop has an upgrade available for only 49.95 with this mail-in rebate, which you can print out only if you buy it through the integrated apple store...don't worry, this only takes up 1% of your processing power, and isn't it worth it for all the convenience?

If this "feature" can't be disabled (and i mean all the way disabled) then I suppose we won't be going to 10.4 in our office.

No way.

tny · Sep 22, 2004, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Counterfit

Didn't MS do something similar to this in regards to pictures and/or music? And didn't they almost get in trouble for it?

As a monopoly, MS is restrained from doing certain things which leverage that monopoly which its competitors (insofar as it has them: mainly Apple) are not constrained from doing.

akac · Sep 22, 2004, 01:03 PM

LOTS of idiots. They are called the average user. And considering that many printers have such similar model numbers its not easy to buy ink really.

Nobody is forced to use this. It is an extra convenience factor that is very good to see them putting this in because for the person who just bought their first computer or the person who thinks that Macs use special peripherals and such - it will get them going. Then once they get it from Apple they can go to the store and use it as a reference to buy more if they want.

ethernet76 · Sep 22, 2004, 01:06 PM

I'm sure this is illegal in some way.

gwangung · Sep 22, 2004, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benpatient

how tragic.

do you really think that there are people who can't read the model number on the front of their printer?

You don't work with end users, do you?

jdechko · Sep 22, 2004, 01:19 PM

Not saying that I agree with how apple may be implementing it (id like to know that id be getting the best deal-not necessarily from the apple store), but I think it is where things are heading. Look at services such as NetFlix... rent movies from your computer. People have been buying stuff from the internet for a long time now. Companies like WebVan were slightly ahead of their time, but now they are building/testing smart homes... a refrigerator that knows how much milk you have and when the milk will spoil and will go ahead and order more for you. Id like to know that my computer would have the ABILITY reorder more ink for my printer when the ink level got to a certain level. I think this is just the next step in the evolution of computing and life as we know it.

swissmann · Sep 22, 2004, 01:23 PM

Just as long as it will stay out of my way (no pop up reminders) unless I want to use it.

Fukui · Sep 22, 2004, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benpatient

how tragic.

do you really think that there are people who can't read the model number on the front of their printer?

Unfortunately, yes there are...

Sep 22, 2004, 12:07 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple Store Integration In Tiger? Based on some screen shots posted at AppleInsider, it seems the Apple Online store will be accessible at the system level, offering to link consumable purchases directly from within the new Printer Setup Utility 4.0. The option, when selected, takes the user to the corresponding ink cartridge page within the Apple Online Store. This would surely eliminate the confusion of buying cartidges from the myriad of options for printers, narrowing the field to only products that worked with the user's particular model of printer.

Sep 22, 2004, 12:10 PM	#2
SilentPanda Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Bamboo Forest	I guess that's not too bad... I do dislike the link on the Apple menu which opens up your web browser to Apple's store... (not at my Mac so I forget what it says)... __________________ "grade image" - say it out loud, it'll make you laugh.

Sep 22, 2004, 12:10 PM	#3
Whigga Spitta macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Can you say Chi-City??	when you get a dead pixel, will they refer you to the displays section? __________________ www.samjorden.com

Sep 22, 2004, 12:10 PM	#4
tromboneaholic macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2004	NO Way I won't usit it for consumables because Apple is more expensive than Buy.com.... But if it can make Apple a buck, I guess it's OK if a bit annoying.

Sep 22, 2004, 12:14 PM	#6
slightly macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New York City	If you can configure the link to whichever online retailer you prefer (eg eink4u.com), that would be pretty cool. If it confines you to the Apple Store, then there's not a lot of benefit to the customer, unless they like getting everything from Apple. __________________ Loki Projects - Mac consulting and web development in NYC and beyond http://lokiprojects.com

Sep 22, 2004, 12:12 PM	#5
Inkmonkey macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Calgary	I'm sure you'll pay a premium for the convenience. Much like ordering prints from iPhoto.

Sep 22, 2004, 12:17 PM	#7
Zaty macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Switzerland	It's not a bad idea at all. Some not so tech-savvy people will be happy if they just can order new ink cartridges without having to find out what kind of cartridge they need for their printers. __________________ 17" iMac Core Duo / 2 GB RAM

Sep 22, 2004, 12:17 PM	#8
bcsmith macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oaktown, CA	This is just another one of those things that makes Mac's more convenient to use - more expensive too, but you don't have to use the service. I'm sure that this will help out some poor schlub along the way so it a good thing(tm).

Sep 22, 2004, 12:23 PM	#10
wdlove macrumors 604 Join Date: Oct 2002	It will certainly make web browsing a little more convenient. __________________ First MacRumors "Contributor"

Sep 22, 2004, 12:25 PM	#11
MM2270 macrumors regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York	Hmm Well, not sure I like the idea too much. I suppose it might be nice for some folks, but if it only links to Apple I don't love it. Look, I'm a huge Apple fan and long time user. I want them to continue to thrive, but if MS did something like this in their OS, we would all be on here complaining that they were trying to exert their monopoly on the poor witless end user. How is Apple doing this any different? If it turns out you can link to any store, I'll eat my words. But somehow I doubt that will be the case.

Sep 22, 2004, 12:27 PM	#13
Counterfit macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: sitting on your shoulder	Didn't MS do something similar to this in regards to pictures and/or music? And didn't they almost get in trouble for it? __________________ "People shouldn't use word processors as web development tools. It's like using a domestic cat to spread butter on your toast." -ad

Sep 22, 2004, 12:27 PM	#14
dstorey macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2002	I wonder if this is using some sort of web services frame work, probably related to WebObjects,using SOAP et al. At my university they are continually talking about how web services are the future of computing. Using a web service to link into the data on the store woyuld be a nice use of this tech.

Sep 22, 2004, 12:28 PM	#15
Macaddicttt macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Diego, CA	I think this is a good thing. Yes, some people will end up paying more than they should for some things, but those people probably would spend more money buying the wrong things or getting ripped off by some salesman at a big store. This reminds me of a scene I saw at an Apple Store once... Some guy was inquiring about the G5s, making sure that they could do word processing, email, internet browsing, and databases. And then he wanted to know if he needed the 2.0 over the 1.8. The salesman made no attempt to direct him to the bottom-of-the-line eMac that would have been more than enough power for him. __________________ "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost." Check out my band: The Band Geek Mafia

Sep 22, 2004, 12:30 PM	#16
wordmunger macrumors 601 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina	I think this could be good if it linked to a froogle-like interface and allowed you to choose preferred vendors. It could be bad if it forced you to the Apple Store. __________________ ResearchBlogging.org Cognitive Daily

Sep 22, 2004, 12:44 PM	#18
benpatient macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2003	how tragic. do you really think that there are people who can't read the model number on the front of their printer? What kind of idiots can't figure that out? Worst case, you might have to open the top of the printer and read the big, obvious model number on the top of the ink cartridge. It's just an excuse to try and get that 1% of blind, stupid, lazy people to spend 20-30% more for the same products that they can buy anywhere else just as easily. I suppose our user accounts will have to get our credit card numbers for this to work, right? And gee, sir, we noticed that your version of Photoshop has an upgrade available for only 49.95 with this mail-in rebate, which you can print out only if you buy it through the integrated apple store...don't worry, this only takes up 1% of your processing power, and isn't it worth it for all the convenience? If this "feature" can't be disabled (and i mean all the way disabled) then I suppose we won't be going to 10.4 in our office. No way.

Sep 22, 2004, 01:03 PM	#20
akac macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2003	LOTS of idiots. They are called the average user. And considering that many printers have such similar model numbers its not easy to buy ink really. Nobody is forced to use this. It is an extra convenience factor that is very good to see them putting this in because for the person who just bought their first computer or the person who thinks that Macs use special peripherals and such - it will get them going. Then once they get it from Apple they can go to the store and use it as a reference to buy more if they want.

Sep 22, 2004, 01:06 PM	#21
ethernet76 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2003	I'm sure this is illegal in some way.

Sep 22, 2004, 01:19 PM	#23
jdechko macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Seattle, WA	Not saying that I agree with how apple may be implementing it (id like to know that id be getting the best deal-not necessarily from the apple store), but I think it is where things are heading. Look at services such as NetFlix... rent movies from your computer. People have been buying stuff from the internet for a long time now. Companies like WebVan were slightly ahead of their time, but now they are building/testing smart homes... a refrigerator that knows how much milk you have and when the milk will spoil and will go ahead and order more for you. Id like to know that my computer would have the ABILITY reorder more ink for my printer when the ink level got to a certain level. I think this is just the next step in the evolution of computing and life as we know it.

Sep 22, 2004, 01:23 PM	#24
swissmann macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Utah Alps	Just as long as it will stay out of my way (no pop up reminders) unless I want to use it. __________________ Always looking for a faster Mac.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode