Apple to Eliminate Retail Box Software Inventory

[franswa za]

One more step toward a locked down OS X where you only get software through the Apple App Store and Apple takes their $$$ cut.

scary, big brother....... i need a hard cocky

i mean copy..

seriously..

or stiffy..

or floppy ..

or viagra..

or something or nothing

 

[franswa za]

I can certainly understand the supporters of this idea.
But I am not one of them.
Apple..as usual...is forcing it's customers into new paradigms that some simply don't want to adopt.
Yeh I know...I should go buy a Windows box......but why can't I have choice? Why has it always got to be Steve's way or the highway?
I personally like the security of an original program disc...is this so wrong or old fashioned?

no, it is not too much asked........ disk? cool, or something on "flash" eish? memory

 

[JAT]

Because that's what we've been told.

Would you rather I use the phrase "Sources familiar with the matter..."

arn

The talk radio station I listen to likes, "The Fan has learned..."

 

[franswa za]

I guess with you...and Apple...it's all about ME!
Screw the rest of the world eh

i hope u know to w/yield a surf........board/bored

 

[JAT]

Your comment shows both your ignorance and your arrogance. There are places where broadband just isn't available, which includes our entire town outside the village. People outside the village only have access to dial-up or exorbitantly priced and very slow mobile broadband with significant caps on data usage.

People here don't need to evolve. Our ability to access broadband with adequate speed without extremely high costs needs to become a reality. If Apple does remove its boxed software from its retail stores and insists on forcing people into downloads only, I will have to rethink recommending OS X around where I live anymore.

Oh, and for those who suggest going to the Apple store for everything, the closest Apple store is an hour away. And for those who recommend everyone live in a city, I suggest you think about the fact that the food you eat comes from communities like ours.

So, what are you complaining about? You don't download, you don't shop at the Apple Store. This report has absolutely nothing to do with you.

 

[gkarris]

The new MS store out here is experimenting with one of those Kiosks that actually lets you order any software and burns a copy for you and creates the packaging (you don't get any manuals though).

A little more than downloads, but less than a full retail package - a nice comp.


Maybe Apple will come up with a comparable solution?

 

[ericinboston]

Have you used the Mac App Store? You can take a look at your purchase history and re-download anything you bought at any time.

Unless you're talking about software in general, in which case, I'm sure there will be external DVD drives for use for the 3 times people stick discs into them each year.

I'm talking about the 90% of end users (not people on this site) that are pretty much novices when it comes to downloading, let alone installing.

If your Mac got nuked and you had to start all over again, you'd have to install the Mac OS with the dvds it came with...then depending on this new Mac App Store...they would need to know their username/pw and go through all the downloads again...THEN RUN THE INSTALL...etc. I could give you the names of 500 people that have no clue what 99% of their usernames/pws are because they are all stored in the cache of their browsers or at best in an email.

Me? I don't mind digitial downloads...but stuff that's more than $15 or so bucks I want it on cd/dvd...of course I can make them myself but having the retail is nice. Besides, most vendors give you a junk discount for download vs. retail....like a $400 retail item is $380 if you download it. Whoopedy do. I'll spend the $20 and have the media right in my hand in case things go ka-plooey rather than hours finding the right download (do you remember the exact version of all your software?), logging in, downloading gigs of data, unpackaging/compressing it, running it, finding my license key, blah blah blah. 1 box in my closet. 1 dvd in the box. 1 key on the side of the box or user manual. Done.

 

[Kar98]

That's OK, I wasn't actually getting my Apple software in boxes from the retail store anyway.

 

[ericinboston]

MAS: keeps record for you what you bought -> just open MAS, go to your purchases and reinstall for free.

All other downloads: Usually you can go the the webpage where you bought it and re-download (and you hopefully have kept your emails with all the registration info)

Although this is wonderful (and all sites like this that "remembers you"), I personally don't trust it for long periods of time. What if you get a brand new Mac (because your other was stolen or trashed) and you do not recall your user id? Just a lot things. All your eggs are in 1 basket with a company/vendor/site that you trust to own and manage all the stuff YOU PURCHASED. Call me paranoid but I've seen similar sites/systems fail or lose account info or get bought by other companies and then trouble arises for the average Joe.

 

[GekiRed]

the extra shelf space will undoubtedly be used for more overpriced first-party accessories.

There, I've corrected it for you, no need to thank me!

 

[cmaier]

I'm talking about the 90% of end users (not people on this site) that are pretty much novices when it comes to downloading, let alone installing.

If your Mac got nuked and you had to start all over again, you'd have to install the Mac OS with the dvds it came with...then depending on this new Mac App Store...they would need to know their username/pw and go through all the downloads again...THEN RUN THE INSTALL...etc.

Huh? There's no "install" to run with the mac app store. You just click to download it, and it installs it without intervention.

Of course, if your "mac got nuked" you hopefully had a "time machine" backup. Apple's got you covered either way.

 

[ipedro]

I'm talking about the 90% of end users (not people on this site) that are pretty much novices when it comes to downloading, let alone installing.

If your Mac got nuked and you had to start all over again, you'd have to install the Mac OS with the dvds it came with...then depending on this new Mac App Store...they would need to know their username/pw and go through all the downloads again...THEN RUN THE INSTALL...etc. I could give you the names of 500 people that have no clue what 99% of their usernames/pws are because they are all stored in the cache of their browsers or at best in an email.

Me? I don't mind digitial downloads...but stuff that's more than $15 or so bucks I want it on cd/dvd...of course I can make them myself but having the retail is nice. Besides, most vendors give you a junk discount for download vs. retail....like a $400 retail item is $380 if you download it. Whoopedy do. I'll spend the $20 and have the media right in my hand in case things go ka-plooey rather than hours finding the right download (do you remember the exact version of all your software?), logging in, downloading gigs of data, unpackaging/compressing it, running it, finding my license key, blah blah blah. 1 box in my closet. 1 dvd in the box. 1 key on the side of the box or user manual. Done.

The Mac App Store solves that problem. Why is everybody overcomplicating this?

If you lose your Mac, have to wipe it clean for some reason or just buy a new Mac, you start up the Mac App store and re-download all your apps. It installs them without any technical expertise whatsoever. There's no downloading, uncompressing, setups or passwords.

Apple is clearly preparing the field to ditch the Super Drive. They already downgraded the importance of iDVD (it's no longer part of iLife) and they've shown us how they're going to distribute hard copies of OS X on USB keys.

I'm willing to bet that the next versions of MacBooks won't come with a Superdrive -- if MacBooks aren't replaced entirely by MacBook Airs. The professional line may keep it around for another major upgrade cycle but I imagine the drives being sold separately in the near future.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Is this better?

"With the success of the iTunes App Store and the launch of the Mac App Store, it seems clear that the long term future of software sales is going to be digital distribution. According to a source who doesn't want to get fired, however, Apple is planning on making the move to all digital sooner than expected at their retail stores. Apple is working towards eliminating boxed software and presumably focusing sales through the Mac App Store."

Again, I mean no disrespect to you. I've followed your articles for years on this site, and I wouldn't if didn't appreciate them and my opinion of this story has no bearing on that whatsoever.

That said, even with a nameless source that'd rather not get fired, it just doesn't seem like enough of a lead. When word comes out of the memo going to retail store managers, then I'll start giving it weight.

 

[flottenheimer]

Makes a lot of sense to me.

I'm sick and tired of all that physical media filling up our cabinets.
I Wish I had the stamina to rip my 400+ CDs and 200+ DVDs and free up all that wonderful space. (I'll need a DVD drive for all that ripping though).

 

[pdjudd]

Well, wouldn't it make since to change all of their software to have a trial version for download? I can still return a hard copy of iLife and any of their other software if I don't like it right?

I believe that for the software purchased in retail, the software cannot be opened for a return. I know that is the policy for most retailers. There might be a policy for opened software, it is not going to be as simple as doing it in store.

 

[ThaDoggg]

Not very good as unlimited bandwidth internet is not an option for everyone and to download GB's worth or programs just isn't realistic.

 

[cmaier]

Not very good as unlimited bandwidth internet is not an option for everyone and to download GB's worth or programs just isn't realistic.

Too bad there isn't a third alternative, like, I dunno, going to another store (like BestBuy). Or a fourth alternative, like, I dunno, ordering a box online from apple.com or amazon or something.

Oh, wait...

 

[Val-kyrie]

MAS: keeps record for you what you bought -> just open MAS, go to your purchases and reinstall for free.

All other downloads: Usually you can go the the webpage where you bought it and re-download (and you hopefully have kept your emails with all the registration info)

I'm glad there are never, ever, any problems with data issues on servers. I am so glad no information is ever corrupted or lost. Your reassurances just make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Download. Although Autodesk is kind enough to send me a DVD box every time there is a major upgrade of Maya and Softimage, I tend not to even open them. As by that time I'll have downloaded, installed, licensed and have used the software for at least a week or more.

I also keep the install.dmg's saved somewhere separate, should the situation arise when I need to re-install without having access to the internet.

People are reacting to this, and the inevitable demise of optical media the same way they reacted back when Apple axed the floppy disk drives. You'd think they would have learned by now.

++

It is amazing how hard change is for some people - remember the screaming and whining when the Floppy Drive was removed, comments where pretty similar to what I read here: How will I ever be able to install software again - CD is too expensive, but I like my floppies, but floppies are so cute, but I can't get software xyz on CD ....

The move from floppies to CDs was a transition from one physical medium to another. The mediums (software on floppies or CDs) were universally available upon purchase. The problem with this transition is it is a transition from one medium which is universal (CD/DVD) to a medium which is not universal (access to broadband).

...
3) For those unfortunate souls without broadband/dialup/anything well time marches on. Worse case scenario they can still bring in their computer (assuming a laptop) to the apple store and use the WiFi there to download software.

For those with a tower and no fast internet... you have officially be depreciated. :-(

You mean "deprecated;" although "unappreciated" also comes to mind. However, services, not people, are deprecated; though it may be argued that people are "depraved," but that is another matter.

I suppose if this is the way Apple chooses, then I understand people who want to stay with Windows and I will have no quarrel with them. Without a national broadband infrastructure in place, this move is premature and reeks of elitism.

So, my £1,500.00 i5 iMac is now defunct just because I don't live in a city?

Get ready for everyone else to tell us where to live.

Thats right, and not everyone has access to an apple store. Tough.

The smallest minority are just going to have to cope. The majority of apples customers have broadband. It's a more convenient way of purchasing software. This will drive demand and stop pandering to the telecom networks. Without this push, we'll never move forward.

If u don't have broadband, get it. If your telecom provider doesn't provide it, demand that they do. Thats how services get upgraded.

Supply and demand...

Right. I suppose an ISP will simply concede to consumer demands because ....?

Im at the the maximum distance from my local telephone exchange where they even give you the option of broadband. It's not that they won't provide it to me (they do, if you can call it that). Copper wires just cannot handle the distance.

Our local ISP could bring broadband to the town, but they refuse based on ROI and a lack of local political backbone to pressure our local ISP.

Everyone chooses where they want to live based on completely different criteria. There are costs and benefits to every location. If you live far from a city center, convenience will not be near the top of your list of criteria. You just might have to ask a friend who lives near the city to get you what you need.

In my state, they put a referendum on the ballot last year to tax the whole of the state so that people who lived in rural areas would have better access to emergency medical facilities. It failed. It shouldn't be a financial burden on me that people want to live in the boonies.

Apple shouldn't have to maintain legacy goods and services to suit the needs of an extremely small number of customers.

Good luck feeding yourself when we rural folk, the farmers, disappear. Yeah, we don't need medical services just like you don't need food. Enjoy eating your imported food.

So, what are you complaining about? You don't download, you don't shop at the Apple Store. This report has absolutely nothing to do with you.

Actually, you are wrong. People in our community do shop--IN STORES, including in the Apple Store, even if it means traveling an hour to shop once or twice a month. We purchase boxed software in stores and updates get passed around on CDs. This matters to our community.

 

[aafuss1]

It's strange that 2 of the apps in the photo-the Jam Packs and Filemaker aren't currently on the App store as is Final Cut Studio & Express and Logic Studio & Express.

Also will we see a new version of Final Cut Express come out alongside a updated Final Cut Studio?

 

[Slim02]

Not very good as unlimited bandwidth internet is not an option for everyone and to download GB's worth or programs just isn't realistic.

That is 98% in the U.S.A do not have unlimited but CAPS on bandwidth.. I see the caps being lowered if more and more companies start doing downloads only...

 

[Val-kyrie]

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).

Hope you never become part of a minority.

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? ....

Are you going to carry in an iMac? To what will you hook up your Mac Pro if you manage to carry it into the store? and where will you set them up? There is no room for them in our nearest Apple Store and they will not let you hook up your computer to the store's external display (I asked about that once).

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.

I doubt Apple will burn a DVD of software without charging an exorbitant price for it. And who in the Apple store will do it? Will they set up another "Bar" for those who need software downloaded? If so, it is cheaper to dedicate retail space to boxes than to pay employees to download and burn software.

I wonder if this is a hint of things to come; you will only be allowed to buy software via the App Store?

This is a valid and one of my primary concerns.

They will lose a lot of customers if they do.

I agree but I think Apple only really cares about the youth and the hip urbanites.

So right... I'd rather have 4 - 6 more hours on the battery and a discrete graphics in my 2010 13 MBP...

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!

LOL. A USB stick costs more than a DVD in packaging.

Also, I doubt Apple will give you discrete graphics in the 13" even without an optical drive. No, they will still only give you integrated graphics to force you to upgrade to the 15" model.

Yes, it does change things.

I live in a large city and I have a bandwidth cap. Right now I can go to one of several Apple stores in town and not use my bandwidth downloading software that currently comes on disc.

I have friends that live in rural areas an hour away who can't get broadband service. Right now they can get their Apple software directly from the store when they're in town.

That scenario includes many people where I live as well.

To those whining about having a dialup connection:
- This is MacRumors - stuff here isn't true until it is confirmed as actually happening
- Did you ever stop to think that maybe they can download it to a USB stick for you at the Apple Store. Go to station, log into App Store account, download software, copy to USB stick, log out of App Store account. Done.

To those whining about having slowish broadband with download caps:
- depending on where you live it may longer to drive to the Apple store than download something for several hours. If it doesn't, see dialup section above.
- Overage fees cost less than gas to drive to the Apple store.

Actually, when software downloads run into the hundreds of MBs or even dozens of GBs, driving to a store is cheaper than paying overage costs.

I keep telling myself surely Apple wouldn't be that stupid and controlling?

Although it would result in me (and a lot of people on this board) immediately switching back to Windows, we are not 'typical' computer users. Technophobes, ditzy teenagers and people who just browse the internet and right letters may like a Mac where everything is just in an app store right there in the dock.

Still, surely not Apple, right?

Right, and Steve is not controlling.

You appear to have missed the entire point of the story and what we are talking about. The premise is that APPLE STORES will no longer carry boxed software. If you weren't going to go to the APPLE STORE anyway to buy your boxed software, this doesn't affect you. If you WERE going to go to the APPLE STORE anyway, and you can't buy from apple.com because you have no internet, just go to the APPLE STORE and use THEIR computers to go to apple.com.

Ever try to use an Apple Store computer when most people aren't working? Good luck! Are we now going to have to make a reservation to download Apple software?

It it me, or is Apple now being totally run by the money men these days?

It's like they are going to screw and milk every single dime that they can out of the business now.

Or am I imagining this?

You are not imagining this. Most of the decisions Apple has made which I dislike can be chalked up to the penny pinchers.

I don't like the idea that the company I buy my computer from has this much control over my computer.

Limiting my choices instead of expanding my choices. It's one of the things I hated about Microsoft.

It's ironical, but it seems like Apple is becoming like 1984, as they depicted the PC's in the '80s.

I didn't mind when it was just music.

If this trend continues, there might come a day when I install some for of Linux on my Macs.

I don't consider the App Store trend a "SUCCESS" but an intrusion.

I couldn't agree more.

Although change is normal, I'm sad for the millions in this world without decent and/or cost effective internet for their Macs.

My only internet option is monthly 3G mobile data. 4gig capped at $81.51 or the largest plan, 8 gig capped at $111.46 plus 10c per MB over.

There are No Apple stores in the New Zealand only resellers who don't take kindly to customers using their internet access.

Free WiFi is available, usually running at less than dialup speed at a few public libraries in mainly lower decile areas. Limited/capped WiFi in some coffee bars.

It may be too early yet to expect Mac users to download all their software, OS updates are bad enough.

There are many in the US in a similar situation, though most at least have an Apple store nearby.

Tim:

Bad Idea. Too Early. Pushing too hard. Slow down.

I think Apple should wait just a little longer. There are still people who rely on DVDs and CDs because of slow or unavailable internet. The time will come, but not now.

I agree.

I can certainly understand the supporters of this idea.
But I am not one of them.
Apple..as usual...is forcing it's customers into new paradigms that some simply don't want to adopt.
Yeh I know...I should go buy a Windows box......but why can't I have choice? Why has it always got to be Steve's way or the highway?
I personally like the security of an original program disc...is this so wrong or old fashioned?

Many people I know prefer the security of having their software on DVD. I concur in this sentiment.

They can get a USB DVD drive, plug it in, and install the software they purchased from an online retailer who ships them a hard disk.

Problem solved.

But not for Apple software--and that is the problem! If you use Apple software and don't have the ability to download large files required by Apple software programs, then this poses a serious problem.

I'm talking about the 90% of end users (not people on this site) that are pretty much novices when it comes to downloading, let alone installing.

If your Mac got nuked and you had to start all over again, you'd have to install the Mac OS with the dvds it came with...then depending on this new Mac App Store...they would need to know their username/pw and go through all the downloads again...THEN RUN THE INSTALL...etc. I could give you the names of 500 people that have no clue what 99% of their usernames/pws are because they are all stored in the cache of their browsers or at best in an email.

Me? I don't mind digitial downloads...but stuff that's more than $15 or so bucks I want it on cd/dvd...of course I can make them myself but having the retail is nice. Besides, most vendors give you a junk discount for download vs. retail....like a $400 retail item is $380 if you download it. Whoopedy do. I'll spend the $20 and have the media right in my hand in case things go ka-plooey rather than hours finding the right download (do you remember the exact version of all your software?), logging in, downloading gigs of data, unpackaging/compressing it, running it, finding my license key, blah blah blah. 1 box in my closet. 1 dvd in the box. 1 key on the side of the box or user manual. Done.

I have seen the same thing. The average person does not know their own passwords, much less how to install software.

I have also paid extra to have a retail CD/DVD. I don't trust downloads completely because there have been times when a software download does not complete properly (missing packets) and sometimes there is no opportunity to re-download.

Although this is wonderful (and all sites like this that "remembers you"), I personally don't trust it for long periods of time. What if you get a brand new Mac (because your other was stolen or trashed) and you do not recall your user id? Just a lot things. All your eggs are in 1 basket with a company/vendor/site that you trust to own and manage all the stuff YOU PURCHASED. Call me paranoid but I've seen similar sites/systems fail or lose account info or get bought by other companies and then trouble arises for the average Joe.

Apple is asking for too much trust. I like Apple, but I will not trust them with so much personal and critical information.

The Mac App Store solves that problem. Why is everybody overcomplicating this?

If you lose your Mac, have to wipe it clean for some reason or just buy a new Mac, you start up the Mac App store and re-download all your apps. It installs them without any technical expertise whatsoever. There's no downloading, uncompressing, setups or passwords.

Apple is clearly preparing the field to ditch the Super Drive. They already downgraded the importance of iDVD (it's no longer part of iLife) and they've shown us how they're going to distribute hard copies of OS X on USB keys.

I'm willing to bet that the next versions of MacBooks won't come with a Superdrive -- if MacBooks aren't replaced entirely by MacBook Airs. The professional line may keep it around for another major upgrade cycle but I imagine the drives being sold separately in the near future.

The problem is the data usage during a re-download.

Also, I am waiting for all of the complaints when Apple sells an external optical drive for an exorbitant price. And don't expect a price drop on the laptops. Selling an external optical drive is just another way for Apple to milk even more money from the consumer.

 

[charlituna]

I'm guessing they will still sell OSX there though

Seems a bit dumb to me, not many computer stores sell Mac software, it's one of the only places to buy boxed software, why get rid of it? not everyone wants to use the download service, especially where storage etc is at a premium?

I wouldn't fret too much. They are likely only taking about their software. Ilife, iWork, aperture, logic express etc.

And even if they do cut all boxes in stores, there's always Amazon etc.

 

[mex4eric]

Besides the broadband points...there's a lot to be said for sticking a cd/dvd into a drive and letting it automatically run.

There are a LOT of people out there that have no clue on a)where to download it to, b)how to unzip/unpackage it, and finally c)how to run the download.

There's also a lot to be said for buying something and having it physically on your desk forever if you ever need it again...unlike having to relocate the download, burn it to cd/dvd, etc. or of course if your computer gets nuked.

$15 software? Sure, download it. Stuff that's hundreds of bucks...I want the physical media and box for future use or proof.

Someone hasn't used the Mac App Store yet!

 

[B. Hunter]

It's strange that 2 of the apps in the photo-the Jam Packs and Filemaker aren't currently on the App store as is Final Cut Studio & Express and Logic Studio & Express.

Also will we see a new version of Final Cut Express come out alongside a updated Final Cut Studio?

The way things have been going, I cringe at the thought of the new FCS. I would not be surprised to see FCE go away and FCS dumbed down for the iphone generation to get a grasp of. Oh, after they buy a Mac laptop or something. Who knows, maybe FCS will get so stripped down it could be used on the iPad. Yipeeeeeeee!

Come on folks! Unless FCS and other pro apps are still box sold, how in the heck could they be on the app store unless they were stripped down? There are more people in the know than me around here. But the lack of attention by Apple over its desktop software is apparent that something is going on. The mobile toys have a lot to do with it.

 

[arn]

Again, I mean no disrespect to you. I've followed your articles for years on this site, and I wouldn't if didn't appreciate them and my opinion of this story has no bearing on that whatsoever.

That said, even with a nameless source that'd rather not get fired, it just doesn't seem like enough of a lead. When word comes out of the memo going to retail store managers, then I'll start giving it weight.

Ya, that doesn't offend me. I was just trying to correct the notion that the story was based on the personal mac setup quote from january.

arn