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iOS updates already slow to a crawl when they're first released. This thing will take ages for so many people to download.
 
Users will be able to upgrade instantly without the need for physical media by purchasing Lion through the Mac App Store.
I still don't think that this is a good idea. If the download version of Lion were simply a Disc Image file, then that would be fine (I could just burn my own or put it on a stick), but if it is on the App Store, then the entire OS has to be packaged as a .app file. As such, it will not be possible to do a "fresh" reformatted installation of Lion without cracking the .app bundle and burning the install data to a bootable disc.
 
I still don't think that this is a good idea. If the download version of Lion were simply a Disc Image file, then that would be fine (I could just burn my own or put it on a stick), but if it is on the App Store, then the entire OS has to be packaged as a .app file. As such, it will not be possible to do a "fresh" reformatted installation of Lion without cracking the .app bundle and burning the install data to a bootable disc.

exactly! if the app's sole purpose was to create a boot disc, then that's awesome. if someone the app could create a boot disc and upgrade the OS, then that's awesome.

however, if the app will only install lion on a machine running a working copy of snow leopard, then there will be problems.

keep in mind, right now exactly 0% of the products sold on the app store will run without the OS already installed.
 
I think this will be part of Apple's lower prices for OS's. Snow Leopard was only $29 because it was more of a maintenance update for Leopard than a full new OS. But how do they explain that to customers who bought Leopard and will be asked to pay 4X as much?

The fact that top selling MacBookAir doesn't have an optical drive, already implies that they will almost definitely sell a USB key with Lion so there's no reason to also sell it on a disc for the remaining Mac's who don't upgrade via the Mac App Store.

Mac App Store: $49 | USB Key $59

sounds good to me ....

Thats what I also expect, the the media (DVD/USB) at a small premium, cheaper for just the download .... I will probably get the USB if availible.
 
exactly! if the app's sole purpose was to create a boot disc, then that's awesome. if someone the app could create a boot disc and upgrade the OS, then that's awesome.

however, if the app will only install lion on a machine running a working copy of snow leopard, then there will be problems.

keep in mind, right now exactly 0% of the products sold on the app store will run without the OS already installed.

And there's been exactly 0% of Operating Systems sold on the app store. And 0% of stories that downloading Lion will be excactly like downloading every other app on the app store.
 
The number of lazy, complacent, disorganized, people that "don't want a disc lying around, or "don't want to keep track of one, is just hilarious.

Or sad, depending on how you look at it.

I'm not surprised that Apple plans to distribute it this way, since it gives them one more reason to trumpet their "fantastic Mac App store". Yeah right.

Apple is dumbing down every step of the process.

How long before it will be "too much work" to sit in front of the computer?
 
so...for those who cant wait to see the dvd drive removed from the macbook(pro)/mini..etc...how would one burn it onto a dvd? :p

i would rather a disk, but thats just me
 
I dont think its going to be though the App Store. The only reason its thought he app store now is the minimise abuse.

Anyway, what happens if you whole hard drive dies?
What if you want to reinstall everything from scratch?
There is just too many what ifs

I think the should use USB flash drives rather then DVDs IF the flash drives are faster then the DVD

The app store is for apps and not for a whole OS

They're probably make it that if your hard drive dies, you need to go to the Apple store and have them do it. If you don't have Apple care, or if ran out, lol enjoy their high prices.

Seriously, it would suck if they didn't allow you to burn your own copy to a disk. Even Microsoft allows you to do that if you buy Windows online as a digital download. They allow you to actually backup all your media from them to an external drive / disk, including Office. They recommend it.

If they wont allow us to burn a copy, I will be ordering a physical disk copy off of Amazon.
 
probably a Bad Thing

It would be nice to know more details.

(1) How will users on other than FAST cable modems get Loin?
(2) How can we make emergency backups? I've been in a number of places were downloading gigabytes of data was not a viable option.
(3) Did this idea spring from the "mind" of the same genius who came up with the New and Improved Apple Discussion boards?
 
And there's been exactly 0% of Operating Systems sold on the app store. And 0% of stories that downloading Lion will be excactly like downloading every other app on the app store.

That's almost verbatim just what I was about to say.


The number of lazy, complacent, disorganized, people that "don't want a disc lying around, or "don't want to keep track of one, is just hilarious.

Or sad, depending on how you look at it.

I don't see what's so lazy or sad about choosing a download over having to go to a store or have a physical disk delivered. Seems like the smarter option to me. And no, I don't want unnecessary physical media cluttering up my space. But that's just the tip of the iceberg, I'm much more excited about the advantages of a download than just getting rid of the physical disc. Sure, I'll back up the copy but I'd much rather have the option to put that backup on a disk with a bunch of other material than have a bunch of shiny coasters lying around.


so...for those who cant wait to see the dvd drive removed from the macbook(pro)/mini..etc...how would one burn it onto a dvd?

You wouldn't, and you wouldn't need to. I'd much prefer having it on a USB stick.


It would be nice to know more details.

(1) How will users on other than FAST cable modems get Loin?
(2) How can we make emergency backups? I've been in a number of places were downloading gigabytes of data was not a viable option.
(3) Did this idea spring from the "mind" of the same genius who came up with the New and Improved Apple Discussion boards?

It would be nice if people would read the article instead of just posting questions that are already answered.
 
Whatever is cheaper. Steam sales have coddled me.

If they are using the App Store for distribution then I'd assume a new feature of Lion is "Build a Recovery DVD". That means you can write your own install DVD to be used after a crash.
One would hope.
 
If they are using the App Store for distribution then I'd assume a new feature of Lion is "Build a Recovery DVD". That means you can write your own install DVD to be used after a crash.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8H7 Safari/6533.18.5)

+1 For henry72's proposal via firmware:

Had the same thought... Get a hot key into the firmware to connect to the official App Store with network settings flexible (eg IP setting; Router etc). Then all the setup can be done from the net.
For power user and enterprises I could imagine to be able to support an own App Store within your network to avoid re-downloading. Similar to the enterprise AppStore for iOS.
 
Just as long as they don't make it the preferred method for others to distribute software or it to become the only way. They can distribute their software how they like

The day I can only get apps via the App store is the last day I use my Mac
 
Yup, I didn't read the whole thing like most everyone :p. Yes its true that Apple is targeting Mac App Store as the preferred method, but according to the article they will also be distributing retail versions of Lion on Disc since some people are running an older version of OSX, and to those who don't have a high speed internet connection..

Conclusion, everyones happy, if you prefer discs, you can buy one, if you prefer digital download then you can download it..
 
Just as long as they don't make it the preferred method for others to distribute software or it to become the only way.

I don't see how that would be possible without shutting out all existing software.
 
And there's been exactly 0% of Operating Systems sold on the app store. And 0% of stories that downloading Lion will be excactly like downloading every other app on the app store.

0% Operating Systems in the app store, yet somehow you know exactly how their going to change their politicly on both app store sales and general OS sales, while no one else has any hint that they're be any changes at all.

what else can you see in that crystal ball of yours?
 
I'll say it again this is the start of the end of mac os!

"Preferrd method of downloading LION"

how long will it take apple to say this is the ONLY way you can download future updates/releases of Mac OS?

Then the app store being the ONLY way you can download software on a mac! crippling web browser downloads locking users into apples walled garden app store!

so no loging onto a non apple website for software to a new program/no pirate bay/no dodgy mp3s everthing vetted by the app store like the ipad/iphone!

I hate the way this is all heading!
 
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