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http://www.macnn.com/articles/11/07/20/directs.traffic.to.mac.app.store/

Apple discontinues boxed copies of numerous apps

updated 04:35 pm EDT, Wed July 20, 2011

 

Directs traffic to Mac App Store


Apple has discontinued boxed copies of several Mac software titles, a note to resellers reveals. Major titles that are now online-only include Aperture 3, Xsan 2, iWork '09 and the iLife '11 suite. Remote Desktop is also being kept off shelves, along with an assortment of Jam Pack add-ons for GarageBand.

For Apple boxed software has been rendered largely irrelevant. The company now directs most of its software sales through the Mac App Store, where it no longer has to pay for boxes, discs or shipping, and it claims a 30 percent cut from any third-party titles. Going online-only also opens up more shelf space in Apple Stores, which can be used for more accessories and peripherals.

The most extreme example of Apple's new policy is OS X Lion. People will eventually be able to order a more expensive copy of the OS on a USB stick, but at present the only way of getting the software is through the Mac App Store or by buying a new Mac. Making such a critical piece of software online-only is new in the Mac and Windows worlds; even Windows 7 continues to have a boxed option.


by MacNN Staff

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 retail, software, digital imaging, audio, GarageBand, Aperture, iWork, iLife, Apple

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Comments

  1. Mr. Fartleberry

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2003

    -2
    07/20, 04:45pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    My workstation is not a phone.

    Cue AAPL announcements of thousands of copies sold proving the policy a success. No package or disc? Just get it online.

  1. pottymouth

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2003

    +5
    07/20, 05:27pm | report spam | Reply |

    My Workstation is not a phone either.

    But I still can't remember the last time I purchased a boxed copy of ANY software. Buy it, download it, burn a backup = instant gratification.

    I get your point, but I think it's off the mark. Yeah, this is the same process they use with the iPhone, but it's also the same route most consumers and businesses have already gone. Only difference here is we're downloading it from Apple through the App Store instead of from the publisher's own web site.

  1. pottymouth

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2003

    +3
    07/20, 05:30pm | report spam | Reply |

    Oops

    I now remember what was the last boxed software I purchased: Leopard.

    I guess this new process is a little bit sad, but only for nostalgic reasons.

  1. Salty

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Jul 2005

    +1
    07/20, 05:35pm | report spam | Reply |

    No, but it's not a 486

    You're right, your workstation isn't a phone. But it's also not a 486. The idea of not getting software off the internet is kinda absurd.

  1. chefpastry

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: Nov 2005

    0
    07/20, 10:18pm | report spam | Reply |

    Side effect

    I wonder how this will effect the brick and mortar Apple Stores.

  1. tundaman

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2010

    +1
    07/21, 08:41am | report spam | Reply |

    Do your homework

    If you do a little search, you will learn that you can easily create a Lion DVD install/boot disk after downloading the installer from the mac appstore. In fact, you can even put it on a SD card and it will work too.

    I just installed Lion fresh on 3 macs formated drives using both a Bootable DVD/SD card, so I don't know what's with that "I want my install disk" whining all about, specially when it comes from so called "power users".

    Common, people! Do your homework!

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