Lion USB sticks now available [u]
updated 04:55 pm EDT, Thu August 4, 2011
May be free under certain circumstances
(Updated with counterclaim) Apple's promised USB sticks for OS X Lion should now be available for sale, internal AppleCare documents show. These allow a person to install the OS without an available Internet connection and/or Mac App Store access. Apple is charging $69 for each stick, $39 more than the cost of a downloaded Lion upgrade.
Significantly, the AppleCare documents also show that under the right circumstances, a person may be able to get a stick for free. This involves Lion's built-in recovery tools failing to work, or otherwise not being an option. Only Tier 2 Apple support workers can decide to give out free Lion sticks.
Update: Engadget says it has learned that the "recovery media" referred to in AppleCare documents is in fact a specific restoration tool for AppleCare workers. The view is is so far backed by checking Apple's website, which has yet to show Lion for order online except through the Mac App Store. The company has stated it will ship Lion on USB sticks sometime this month.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2009
blank ones for sale?
I actually like the design of Apple's USB sticks and think they would have a market for blank ones. 4GB sticks can almost be had for free but the ability to put several of these on an O-ring for safe keeping would be desirable to me. Selling larger capacity versions would be even better.
I created my own Lion installer but had to use an 8GB SD card so I am thinking Apple's USB sticks are larger than the 4GB mentioned in the referenced article.
As for the extra cost, someone has to pay for imaging the sticks and mailing them while blank ones should cost less.