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Stupid idea. First of all - not everyone has a good enough connection to download such huge files. Secondly - not everyone has an internet connection! Some of my Apple-buying friends live near the moors where they can't get broadband.

And worst of all - in the UK its just the Apple stores that sell boxed applications.

A very silly move that's too far ahead of its time.
Patience tends to work but I have quite a few Steam titles that I install off of the disc the first time and activate online for future updates. Civilization V was on sale a few times at $30-35 on DVD compared to getting online from Steam.
 
Customer: "Hello , I've just bought a MBP, and want to buy iWorks"

Apple helpline: "Ah yes, its available on the Mac App Store, or the products page of Apple.com"

Customer: "I don't have the Internet, I can't get them from there"

Apple helpline: "Ah ok, I'm sorry sir but all I can say is 'Sucks to be you', thank you for calling Apple"

In order to be affected by this, the "customer" must have an Apple Store nearby (that's all we're talking about). If so, I'm sure he can go to the Apple Store, and use one of THOSE machines to order the thing on apple.com.
 
I'm fine with Apple going digital distro only with one exception: do not limit software to the App store only. In other words, I'm gonna be really upset if Apple tries to limit the software that can be run on Macs to that which is bought off the App store. They have a terrible track record of throttling software that they don't like for any reason they choose. That being said, I am glad we are going the digital distro route finally!
 
I'm fine with Apple going digital distro only with one exception: do not limit software to the App store only. In other words, I'm gonna be really upset if Apple tries to limit the software that can be run on Macs to that which is bought off the App store. They have a terrible track record of throttling software that they don't like for any reason they choose. That being said, I am glad we are going the digital distro route finally!

I have another exception - do not limit software to those developers who agree to sacrifice goats.

Because that's just as likely to happen.
 
Daft idea. Not everyone has internet. Not everyone has internet good enough to download large amounts of software.

What's the difference between buying a box set and the local Genius just hooking your Mac to their local-super-fast-broadband wired connection and using the Mac App Store to buy it for you (or you doing it yourself over their wifi)?

The box? The disc?

If you're going to their store, they will be happy to provide the bandwidth.

If they go the extra step and burn a dvd for those who don't want to bring in their system, that would probably eliminate any need for boxed software.
 
So what happens if I have no internet connection? Only way to get online is via a public place. Cmon apple not everyone is rich like you :mad:

Also MANY people dont know how to download and install... they 100% trust cds to do the job for them.

lol so if you have an internet connection your rich? and for the people that dont know how to download and install, if they cant click the link that says buy.....then i guess they could call AppleCare and have someone say...click buy, type in your password, and then enjoy your purchase thank you for calling Apple Care......
 
Oh god this would horrible for me if Canada really loses all it's unlimited internet options. If the new ruling does go through here, I think I'll be stuck with a 60 gb cap which I'll have to share with two brothers who are also bandwidth whores. If apple really goes app store only, I'd never be able to keep all my different gadgets fully updated and buy new software too. :(
 
The lack of boxed software is a major problem for people with slow internet connections. But if a customer is in an actual physical Apple store, and the store lets them use the store's probably mongo fast fiber connection to buy and download mongo apps, what's the big problem?

Maybe backups. Buts that's another item the store can convince customers that they need (they do), and then sell them some backup HDDs at a nice profit!

Apple store backrooms might even end up with local edge servers for the App store, so the building doesn't always even need a fast fiber connection
 
makes sense

I can see this, Apple is not only freeing up shelf space but pushing people to use their Mac App Store and pushing software companies to put their apps in the Mac App Store. I have an idea, Apple, put all the boxes in a bin and mark them down 75% off :D That will get rid of them for you, hehe.
 
I wonder if this is a hint of things to come; you will only be allowed to buy software via the App Store?

Apple would have to eleminate a lot of their App store rules for that to happen so developers like Valve can put their app on the store.

Anyway I guess this pretty much confirms no optical drives in the next MBP wich means we might actually see discrete graphics in the 13".
 
Not until everyone has access to broadband. Or even yet; unlimited broadband.

What about bring the Mac to an Apple store to download for free? Using a external optical drive and having software delivery by mail is the other alternative. The needs of the many outweighs the needs of a few (Unless you are Spock).
 
How the hell am I supposed to buy a specific piece of software as a Christmas or birthday gift when there isn't anything physical anymore? Sure I can buy the person a "gift card" but what if I wanted to get them something specific? Oooo, here's a hand made coupon with a redeemable code? Bah.

lol people give software as gifts?? Hey mom merry xmas here is Logic Pro!! Happy fathers day dad here goes iLife 11!!!! Never heard of that...but i guess there is that crowd out there...
 
Too Soon - average broadband connections too slow

I think the folks at apple are getting ahead of themselves.

We like to assume digital delivery has no/low cost, but the USA isn't there yet.

The Apple Newton was a great idea, but it was too soon for what it tried to do.

Going all digital now, is a bit premature. Until the broadband market place has at least (3) competitors in any region, we are setting ourselves up.

Think of the scenarios when you aren't @home and may want to do something.
 
TBH they can still sell the software as USB sticks. Maybe even mail them to you as well, if you bought it via the Mac App Store. Which would, indeed, be an awesome solution.

This might also mean the end of Optical Drives for the MBPs. 13'' with discrete graphics, wohoo!
 
It's probably because I work with high availability and disaster recovery as a function of my career path, but I just don't trust keeping that information in "the cloud". There have been one too many instances of key data in the cloud going missing or becoming corrupted. For a $1 or $2 or even $5 app, maybe I'm on board, but not with something like Photoshop.

My early experience with the Mac App Store (yes, I'm a slow adopter, see above) tells me that I don't even get a DMG or ZIP file to use independently at a later time. Sure, I can technically login and download it again, but what happens if my iTunes account gets hacked? Nuked? Yanked?

No, if I'm spending good money on software, I'd like some sort of media that I can store. I'd be fine with shrinking the size of the boxes and delivering the media on a USB stick, but I'm not fine with retail packaging going away.
 
PROS:

  • Cheaper Software
    [*]Less theft (for Apple Stores)
    [*]More revenue (All family pack software will be moot if they do this)
    [*]Quicker software updates
    [*]See ya optical drive
CONS:

  • No more family pack software


your one con is actually a Pro..the family packs ALWAYS cost more then single user...now just a standard price and you can install on multiple computers in your home...so now you have all Pro's and no Con's!! :D
 
Bad if your internet provider starts implementing caps and doing away with "unlimited data".

Also, some of the free Wi-Fi places I go to don't allow large downloads (no access to iTunes store for example) - so you can't use theirs.

Bye-bye optical disc for Apple... (see MacBook Air and Mini Server Edition).
 
I guess I should not be surprised that Apple has decided that anyone who cannot run 10.6 does not buy software anymore. Since I will not buy a new computer until I have the cash to buy it (and that is still several years in the future) I had best be content with what I have.
 
This could be a problem

now if apple looks at removing box software.. where will it leave you if your computer crashes... calling itunes to recover what you have purchased isnt that fun. Hope the mac app store doesn't conquer all
 
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