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Apple Justifies iLife Price Tag

Posted by pudge on from the words-me-make-no-sense dept.

CameronWolf writes "Just in case there was any doubt about Apple computers decision to sell applications they used to give away, I got this response, via email, from Apple upon my enquiry: 'As the iLife applications have become increasingly integrated it has become more and more important for a user to have all of the "correct" versions on their Mac at once, working together, giving a unified user experience. This is one of the main reasons we've decided to offer iLife in suite form only. In addition, for iLife users who want the latest and greatest applications on their Macs, the iLife suite is priced very affordably.' Apple are running an upgrade scheme for those who bought a qualifying Mac after Jan 6th. Too bad I just had to have the iBook G4 the second it was released!" For those who used only the free iLife apps before -- those without SuperDrives -- this reason doesn't make any sense. If the goal were really to make sure you had the latest versions, they could simply make the latest iMovie require the latest iDVD.

5 of 182 comments (clear)

  1. Does this make any sense? by Sklivvz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I just don't understand what the poster is talking about.
    1) Apple now sells software which used to be free beforehand.
    2) Poster asks for explanation from Apple
    3) Answer explains why they sell the software in a suit as opposed to single apps, but now why they are now selling what used to be free
    4) Story gets on Slashdot

    So why is Apple charging for these products? Where's the news here?

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    My Stack Overflow user
  2. so people are complaining? by Grand · · Score: 5, Insightful

    so people are complaining they are offering 5 apps in a bundle for 50.00, when apple COULD go and sell them individually for 30-50 dollars. Yes they were free, but 50 dollars is nothing to complain about.

  3. When was the last time you paid $50... by Microsift · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...for four applications (since iTunes is free) that do as much as these do. I think most people would be willing to pay $40-50 for just one of these apps(if they needed it).

    Also, if you have more than 1 computer that you want to install iLife on, you can buy a 5 user family license for $79.

    Anyway, the real story should be that iLife is a bargain.

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    My other sig is extremely clever...
  4. $50!! by squiggleslash · · Score: 5, Informative
    It's $50, or $80 if you want the "family pack" (unlimited licenses within the confines of your own home.)

    I don't really see what's to complain about. Given it includes an entirely new application, and iDVD now doesn't require a SuperDrive...

    (It's not even like Apple are preventing you from using the old versions. You can even still download the older versions. Nothing is being taken away.)

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    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  5. here's me trying really hard to care... by Maelikai · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...nope, can't do it.

    As a software person I just can't manage to work up any ire that Apple wants to be paid for some of the work they do.