Apple Computer next week will announce a plan to charge for upgrades to some of the company’s highly acclaimed "digital hub" software, a move that could anger customers accustomed to receiving free updates. According to sources familiar with the plans, Apple is expected to announce at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco Tuesday that consumers will have to pay for new versions of iDVD, iPhoto and iMovie, which will be sold together as a bundle. Previously, Apple had offered upgrades to its digital media, or "i" applications, for free.

iMovie is used for digital movie editing, and iDVD burns the final product onto a DVD. iPhoto is used to organize, edit and print photos. The move to charge up to $50 for the software trio is potentially the first step in charging for all six "i" applications, which would continue to be bundled for free with new Macs, sources said. Apple’s other iApps include iTunes for organizing music, a calendar and a synchronization utility. It released new versions of iCal and iSync on Thursday.

Citing company policy, an Apple representative declined to comment on unannounced plans for products or services, the details of which could change before next week’s Macworld gathering. Apple CEO Steve Jobs opens the convention with a keynote speech on Tuesday. "Windows users are not making the switch as Apple had hoped, and now the company is pulling a Microsoft-like move by bundling popular applications and pasting a 'premium' price tag to them," said analyst Tim Deal of Technology Business Research.

Consumer reaction to the plan could be harsh based on the fallout from similar moves last year.

View: The full story
News source: c|net

Chief Executive Steve Jobs is also seen as making a major push to encourage the Mac faithful at the trade show here to upgrade to its latest operating systems, OS X.

Apple declined to comment on its announcements for Macworld.

WOZNIAK BACK AT MAC
The slick operating system, which has drawn reviews praising its stability and user-friendliness, will be touted by none other than Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak in a panel discussion entitled, "The Move to Mac OS X," said IDG World Expo, the firm that produces Macworld and other trade shows.

More sales of Mac OS X mean more software revenue for the company, and consumers may be enticed to buy the latest and fastest Mac computers to take advantage of OS X. Analysts said that a good goal would be to push the percentage of Mac computers using OS X past 50 percent.

Many have been expecting an announcement for some time about its next-generation G5 microprocessor, the brains of a computer, but analysts said Apple has not yet made a decision about whether to continue to get its processors from International Business Machines Corp. or even to move to processors from Intel Corp..

"The existing processor is running out of steam and Apple will make a processor change in the next 12 months," Enderle said. "So expect product announcements based on that new processor next year, because they'll move either to Intel or to the IBM version of the PowerPC."

The current PowerPC chip is made under a partnership between IBM and Motorola Inc..

"It seems unlikely they would be able to announce such a move now," Enderle said.

Seeking to expand its strategy of making and selling computer-linked products and software it sees as central to the "digital lifestyle," Apple also just this week launched its iSync 1.0 software.

The software enables the synchronization of personal information management applications among Macs and a myriad of gizmos, including PDAs and mobile phones.

Apple's strategy has also been to make innovative, bold computer designs -- such as the flat-panel iMac and the original iMac, which debuted in 1998 and sported an all-in-one design with a translucent case and berry colors -- which consumers will be willing to pay more for than PCs using Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system.

"What they have been doing and what they intend to continue to do is win at what I call the Milanese Fashion Game," Kay said. "They come out with some extremely cool products, but at a somewhat higher price comparatively, but still cool enough that people will buy them."

In terms of Apple's market share, not much has changed in recent years, Kay said. Apple's worldwide share of the personal computer market is between 2 percent and 3 percent, and between 4 percent to 5 percent in the United States.

In October, Apple, which is based in Cupertino, California, reported its first quarterly net loss in nearly two years, hurt by investment losses, and warned that it did not expect strong holidays sales for the PC industry.

Apple is scheduled to report its fiscal first-quarter results after the close of regular U.S. trading on January 15.


There are 30 additional comments
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Quote this comment Reply to this comment #1 Posted by Equalizer on 04 Jan 2003 - 11:06
This was already posted on the main page it still at the very bottom
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #2 Posted by Arch on 04 Jan 2003 - 12:00
What's up with all the double news posts lately? My ohh my. This time it's claimed to be official that they will charge though, instead of just speculation.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #3 Posted by mintll on 04 Jan 2003 - 12:38
This is not on Imagine Microsoft doing this Apple are going mad
Quote this comment #3.1 Posted by kirk26 on 04 Jan 2003 - 14:31
[neoquote=#3.0 by mintll]This is not on Imagine Microsoft doing this Apple are going mad[/neoquote] forget it...

Last edited by 1144 on 04 Jan 2003 - 14:42
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #4 Posted by Wickedkitten on 04 Jan 2003 - 13:14
this is the exact same story as in the last link, still more speculation that was started by some guy on a rumour board
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #5 Posted by iraklis2000 on 04 Jan 2003 - 15:12
HA! You mean big bad Microsoft, which has a monopoly and put everyne out of business is still giving away Media Player, Movie Maker and all the same apps Apple has for free, while Apple is going to chardge for them? Hmmmm. Where are all the Apple fanboys. Feel free to comment on this expensive habit you have found yourself in. First you have to pay 50-100 for .mac, and now for the apps, on TOP of the $130 for the OS. Enjoy your competitive product.
(16 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #6 Posted by Colonel Sanders on 04 Jan 2003 - 18:12
[quote]Media Player, Movie Maker and all the same apps Apple has[/quote] Yes Microsoft offers a music program and a movie making program, but it does not offer a full image editing suite, and a DVD authoring program, a calendar program, etc. You get the apps free with an OS purchase or a computer purchase. .Mac is a service apple offers, it is not a requirement. Microsoft doesn't offer you email, web storage, web page, and several online utilities like that for any price. At least we don't have to pay $300 for Windows XP. So, $130 for OS 10 (which comes with a dvd authoring program, a music program, a movie program, a image editing suite, a calendar program that works with your palm, ipod, phone, and others), or $300 for Windows XP, which only has a music program and a movie making program. It seems fairly competitive to me.
Quote this comment #6.1 Posted by iraklis2000 on 04 Jan 2003 - 18:40
you don't have you facts straight, but its ok. If you are willing to pay for that crap, go right ahead. You and the rest of the 5% of the computer industry. Either you pay up, or watch them go away slowly. Among the many mistakes you made is the prices. Take a look at AMAZON.com, probably the highest prces you will find, still fall way below your "estimates". XP Professional FULL product is $249.99! an OSX "update" costs $130! It is like Microsoft charging $130 for SP1. Robbery! Apple is charging for iMovie, why? Movie maker is free(so is Movie Maker 2), and both work just as good as iMovie. DVD Authoring? WHy is there a need for this on a PC? All DVD burners come with authoring software. Yes Microsoft offers email. it is called Hotmail, and it is free. If you want more spce you pay them $19.99. Also offers free online utilities like you claim, like file tranfers, remote desktop, voice communicating, video conferencing, all through their messenger. If you think $99 for web space is the going market rate, then you have THAT rpice wrong as well. Give it up! The Apple cult is asking for money, either you pay up. or eat your words an dare i say "SWITCH!"

Last edited by 1588 on 04 Jan 2003 - 18:46
Quote this comment #6.2 Posted by Colonel Sanders on 04 Jan 2003 - 19:07
The OSX "update" isn't an update. It functions much like your windows xp, you can do a full install, or an upgrade. Now it would be a joke for microsoft to charge for SP1, but I wouldn't put it past them. SP1 fixes errors and problems in windows, while our latest 'upgrade' adds new features, new programs, etc. The charge $130 because it is an operating system, a full one. And when you buy this new OS, you get these programs, just like when you buy windows xp, you get movie maker. Now, the iApp suite is an award winning suite of applications that are considered better than the microsoft ones. The $100 (i paid $50) online services pack is more than fair. 100 MB of online disk storage, at incredibly fast download speeds, and 15 MB inbox, and you have to pay what to get that size in hotmail? Add all the prices together, its a deal. I have both types of computers, i use a win xp machine, and my OS X machine. The iApps are better than any other program, I know I use them. The price quote for win xp, i was in a hurry, and I live in Canada, so i just did a quick conversion in my head from CDN to USD. Look, these fights go on forever, I'll use my computer you use yours. In my opinion, I have the better deal, in yours, you have the better deal. Whatever floats your boat
Quote this comment #6.3 Posted by iraklis2000 on 04 Jan 2003 - 20:19
In case you really didn't know. Hotmail is $9.99 for 10MB. Enjoy. Perfect example that you don't know the market prices are, and you still think it is worth it. You would think it is worth it if it was $200. Thanks for proving my point. Just because it is a whole new install, it doesn't mean it is a NEW OS. As a matter of fact it is bug fixes, and new apps as you said. Microsoft decides to give the fixes for free and allow you to download the new apps ALSO for free. Media Player 9, and Movie Maker 2. Hmmmmm.
Quote this comment #6.4 Posted by Colonel Sanders on 04 Jan 2003 - 22:07
Well I trusted you on your point of $19.99 for for space, but you were also wrong. Look you obviously are getting frustrated, and beginning to write like a 12-year old (if you aren't one). It is a new OS. I installed the OS X "Jaguar" on a OS 9 computer, it completly installed a new OS. It is no longer debatable. It is an OS. They don't sell plain old OS X anymore, because they have a new version. I certainly wouldn't pay $200 (I hope that's not American) for these services, I paid $50. I got the following services. [list] [*]15 MB Webmail[/*] [*]100 MB Online Storage[/*] [*]Website hosting[/*] [*]Backup services[/*] [*]Antivirus Software[/*] [*]Online Calendar publishing[/*] [/list] I am not here to debate whether it was worth it, I think it was worth it, becuase i use all the services regularily. Hey, if you would only use email, it wouldn't be worth it. Once again, this is only a rumour, and even if it didn't happen, it is still worth it to buy the apps, this isn't a bug fix, you can download the bug fixes from the download section at apple. The only people who will buy these new apps, will be people who have already been OS X users for a while, anyone who gets a new computer or upgrades their OS, will have the latest greatest app, but even if I don't upgrade, I still have them, just not the latest. It's about attitude iraklis.
Quote this comment #6.5 Posted by superfula on 04 Jan 2003 - 22:10
Have you ever used 10.2? If you had, you'd know it was a HUGE upgrade. Something along the lines of Win2000 to winxp. It was well worth the 130 dollar price tag. M$ gives bug fixes for free (sp1) because their os is as buggy as hell already. There weren't many bug fixes in 10.2. Most of it was feature adds. The difference between the iApps and M$'s copies are the iApps are actually good. M$ progs are pure crap compared. [quote]So, $130 for OS 10 (which comes with a dvd authoring program, a music program, a movie program, a image editing suite, a calendar program that works with your palm, ipod, phone, and others), or $300 for Windows XP, which only has a music program and a movie making program. It seems fairly competitive to me.[/quote] Ok 250 for a average os, a crappy movie making program, and a crappy music program. Verses 130 for a huge OSX update, a much better music and movie program. PLUS you throw in stuff M$ doesn't have, like the dvd authoring program, the image editing suite, and calender program you can wirelessly sync with your palm, ipod, phone, bluetooth built in. Hell M$ hasn't yet included bluetooth drivers with windows. Can you sync your calender and address book wirelessly with your phone, your ipod, your palm, and your online email/storage account? Oh you can't. That's too bad...
Quote this comment #6.6 Posted by Colonel Sanders on 04 Jan 2003 - 22:13
Have we mentioned the fact that we don't have to go through rigorous security processes to install our operating system? Or that our music player is not full of copy-protection software?
Quote this comment #6.7 Posted by kirk26 on 04 Jan 2003 - 23:39
[neoquote=#6.5 by superfula]Have you ever used 10.2? If you had, you'd know it was a HUGE upgrade. Something along the lines of Win2000 to winxp. It was well worth the 130 dollar price tag. M$ gives bug fixes for free (sp1) because their os is as buggy as hell already. There weren't many bug fixes in 10.2. Most of it was feature adds. The difference between the iApps and M$'s copies are the iApps are actually good. M$ progs are pure crap compared. [quote]So, $130 for OS 10 (which comes with a dvd authoring program, a music program, a movie program, a image editing suite, a calendar program that works with your palm, ipod, phone, and others), or $300 for Windows XP, which only has a music program and a movie making program. It seems fairly competitive to me.[/quote] Ok 250 for a average os, a crappy movie making program, and a crappy music program. Verses 130 for a huge OSX update, a much better music and movie program. PLUS you throw in stuff M$ doesn't have, like the dvd authoring program, the image editing suite, and calender program you can wirelessly sync with your palm, ipod, phone, bluetooth built in. Hell M$ hasn't yet included bluetooth drivers with windows. Can you sync your calender and address book wirelessly with your phone, your ipod, your palm, and your online email/storage account? Oh you can't. That's too bad...[/neoquote] xp was not a huge upgrade to 2000. xp is more like w2k second edition. But I do agree that 10.2 was a huge upgrade. I can't believe that I actually used os9 when jaguar came out.
Quote this comment #6.8 Posted by JaggedFlame on 04 Jan 2003 - 23:42
Funny, Colonel Sanders, I went through activation once and it was a breeze (rigorous? hardly) and I haven't yet seen the hint of copy-protection bothering me in my daily usage of WMP. Why do you pretend to be the leading authority on these programs when you clearly haven't used them? [quote]Ok 250 for a average os, a crappy movie making program, and a crappy music program. Verses 130 for a huge OSX update, a much better music and movie program. PLUS you throw in stuff M$ doesn't have, like the dvd authoring program, the image editing suite, and calender program you can wirelessly sync with your palm, ipod, phone, bluetooth built in. Hell M$ hasn't yet included bluetooth drivers with windows. Can you sync your calender and address book wirelessly with your phone, your ipod, your palm, and your online email/storage account? Oh you can't. That's too bad...[/quote] Try $89 for a great, stable OS, a movie making program that does everything I need it to do, one of the best music programs in the industry, and more. "PLUS" you throw in the free services provided by MSN.com, and for a little extra, you can do syncs and stuff like that. Microsoft has a Bluetooth keyboard out, so I'm assuming that it would need drivers they provide to work, eh? And then there's OS X, which supposedly offers the same and a little bit more (the image editing and DVD authoring), for not $130, but more than $250, considering you need to have bought OS X originally to get the upgrade. In addition, if I don't want an image editing program and DVD authoring program (what percentage of people have DVD-R drives?) I don't want to have to pay for it. The whole point of Microsoft offering limited programs is so that if people want more functionality, they can pay for it optionally. Forget all that for now. Many people, including OS X users that I know personally, agree that 10.2 is the OS that OS X should have been at its release. Why weren't these features originally in OS X? Perhaps because they were rushing it out the door to compete with Windows 2000's release date? You guys paid money for OS X, which is about half of the OS Jaguar is, and then paid extra money to complete it... doesn't sound like a deal to me. Sorry, Apple, you have a great OS, but you missed me by about three years.
Quote this comment #6.9 Posted by Colonel Sanders on 05 Jan 2003 - 03:28
[quote]but more than $250, considering you need to have bought OS X originally to get the upgrade[/quote] I missed that, and you must have also. As I mentioned earlier in the conversation, I installed 10.2 "Jaguar" on an OS 9 computer, without OS X installed. So, we are back down to $130. Where is this $89 coming from, I know what I paid for Windows XP, and it was a lot more than that. About bluetooth, what superfula was talking about is that Win XP does not include bluetooth drivers, which microsoft only released last month. To discuss the point about the early addition of OS X, well, I'm glad they released it early so that developers could start earlier and we could have OS X sooner. Remember Windows ME? That was supposed to me Win XP, but it was rushed, so they threw that OS into play, which caused to many bugs to mention. Maybe your movie making program does what it is supposed to do, but I've used it and the finished product looks like crap, I haven't seen MM 2, but I'm sure it uses many of iMovie's innovations. I used iMovie when I first got my mac, and I have made many professional DVDs since. OS X is way ahead of its time, and has [b]never crashed on me once[/b] I have 3 Win XP machines and 2 OS 10.2 machines. I use them just as much as you. Not many PCs have DVD-Rs out of the box, a lot of macs do. I have one in each of my 2 macs. Look, let`s nto let this conversation get out of hand (remember, this was about a rumour (Canadian spelling), about a possible introduction of upgrades to the suite of iApps. I`m defending my buying choice, you are defending yours. A lot of the stuff said buy the majority (i say majority...) of PC users, is stuff said by other PC users. It`s not always the truth. I am a PC users just as much as you, but when the day is over, I choose a different computer.
Quote this comment #6.10 Posted by macrosslover on 05 Jan 2003 - 03:44
[neoquote=#6.9 by Colonel Sanders]Where is this $89 coming from, I know what I paid for Windows XP, and it was a lot more than that. Not many PCs have DVD-Rs out of the box, a lot of macs do. I have one in each of my 2 macs. [/neoquote] considering most people ALREADY have a copy of Windows, and most people will use the home edition. an upgrade of Windows has always been and still is 89-99. you didn't have a special upgrade price for Jaguar. you were FORCED to buy it at a full version price. that would be like us having to pay $200 for the full edition of Home Edition. but since we didn't have to, and most computers (last time i checked 92%) have some version of Windows on them, MOST would be able to upgrade to Windows XP for only 89. at least those that meet the requirements same as the jaguar requirements. i don't think many PCs are shipping DVD-R or DVD-RW drives write now because they are probably still waiting for 1 final standard or are waiting for something else. in this case Apple needed this to have something to offer that PC companies didn't. it isn't a necessity for PC companies right now, it is for Apple, considering their slow adoption of the CD-RW. they don't want to make the same mistake again, so they are being the early adopter.
Quote this comment #6.11 Posted by Colonel Sanders on 05 Jan 2003 - 03:57
Alright, most XP users have Home Edition. I have the Professional Edition, and for comparable features, you need Win XP Pro to match up. I just looked at Amazon.com, pro is [b]$299.00[/b], and home is [b]$199.00[/b]. Those are the full versions. Whatever your argument, some people will need the full version. I'll admit, it would certainly be nice if there was an upgrade version of Jaguar. Now for the upgrade, you would have to own win 98/2000/me. Add that to the price, that argument can be used, and was used earlier in the conversation, but was misinformed. Just another question: [b]why do you guys [u]hate[/u] mac users and what they stand for?[/b]
Quote this comment #6.12 Posted by JaggedFlame on 05 Jan 2003 - 06:12
[neoquote=#6.9 by Colonel Sanders][quote]but more than $250, considering you need to have bought OS X originally to get the upgrade[/quote] I missed that, and you must have also. As I mentioned earlier in the conversation, I installed 10.2 "Jaguar" on an OS 9 computer, without OS X installed. So, we are back down to $130. Where is this $89 coming from, I know what I paid for Windows XP, and it was a lot more than that. About bluetooth, what superfula was talking about is that Win XP does not include bluetooth drivers, which microsoft only released last month. To discuss the point about the early addition of OS X, well, I'm glad they released it early so that developers could start earlier and we could have OS X sooner. Remember Windows ME? That was supposed to me Win XP, but it was rushed, so they threw that OS into play, which caused to many bugs to mention. Maybe your movie making program does what it is supposed to do, but I've used it and the finished product looks like crap, I haven't seen MM 2, but I'm sure it uses many of iMovie's innovations. I used iMovie when I first got my mac, and I have made many professional DVDs since. OS X is way ahead of its time, and has [b]never crashed on me once[/b] I have 3 Win XP machines and 2 OS 10.2 machines. I use them just as much as you. Not many PCs have DVD-Rs out of the box, a lot of macs do. I have one in each of my 2 macs. Look, let`s nto let this conversation get out of hand (remember, this was about a rumour (Canadian spelling), about a possible introduction of upgrades to the suite of iApps. I`m defending my buying choice, you are defending yours. A lot of the stuff said buy the majority (i say majority...) of PC users, is stuff said by other PC users. It`s not always the truth. I am a PC users just as much as you, but when the day is over, I choose a different computer. [/neoquote] You probably got ripped off when you bought Windows XP. I actually got it for free, and Microsoft had a special $49 upgrade price when it first came out. Maybe you didn't have to buy the original OS X (sorry), but as far as I can tell, the people who did got kinda screwed. Windows XP includes Bluetooth drivers when Bluetooth devices first enter the market. Sounds good to me. Windows Me was not supposed to be Windows XP. Windows Me was an interim 9x release so that people with Windows 98 wouldn't be left behind until Windows XP came along. Yeah, I forgot that most Macs have DVD-Rs out of the box. Sorry again. I know your choice is different, and I usually try not to start these kind of arguments for the same reason. I still can't understand Apple's pricing strategy, though.
Quote this comment #6.13 Posted by JaggedFlame on 05 Jan 2003 - 06:14
[neoquote=#6.11 by Colonel Sanders]Alright, most XP users have Home Edition. I have the Professional Edition, and for comparable features, you need Win XP Pro to match up. I just looked at Amazon.com, pro is [b]$299.00[/b], and home is [b]$199.00[/b]. Those are the full versions. Whatever your argument, some people will need the full version. I'll admit, it would certainly be nice if there was an upgrade version of Jaguar. Now for the upgrade, you would have to own win 98/2000/me. Add that to the price, that argument can be used, and was used earlier in the conversation, but was misinformed. Just another question: [b]why do you guys [u]hate[/u] mac users and what they stand for?[/b][/neoquote] That's now. Windows XP upgrades were $49 when it first came out. And buying an OS from Amazon.com isn't really the smartest thing to do. People will do it, sure, but that's like buying OS X retail when you can buy it for cheaper somewhere else (is that $130 set in stone by Apple, and is it sold outside the Apple store, or is it just Apple?). I don't hate Mac users. That's a pretty ridiculous assumption to make about me, so I'm just going to leave it there.
Quote this comment #6.14 Posted by Colonel Sanders on 05 Jan 2003 - 17:00
Alright. We'll leave it there. In my question about whether you (not aimed at a single person) hate mac users, I was curious as to the fact that mac users are constantly attacked and have to defend ourselves.
Quote this comment #6.15 Posted by JaggedFlame on 05 Jan 2003 - 17:13
Windows users are constantly attacked by Linux users, and vice versa. Everyone's attacked. So what?
Quote this comment #6.16 Posted by Wickedkitten on 05 Jan 2003 - 21:42
[neoquote=#6.3 by iraklis2000]Just because it is a whole new install, it doesn't mean it is a NEW OS. [/neoquote] are you talking about Jag or XP?
(3 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #7 Posted by spaceodysseyo2 on 04 Jan 2003 - 20:41
Thank god i havent switched to Apple yet, probably never will until i get super rich! Also, Steve better be unveiling the G5s this upcoming MacWorld or else.
Quote this comment #7.1 Posted by kirk26 on 04 Jan 2003 - 23:40
[neoquote=#7.0 by spaceodysseyo2]Thank god i havent switched to Apple yet, probably never will until i get super rich! Also, Steve better be unveiling the G5s this upcoming MacWorld or else.[/neoquote] Yea, you might actually broaden your computer skills. sheesh!
Quote this comment #7.2 Posted by JaggedFlame on 04 Jan 2003 - 23:46
Broaden your computer skills with a computer that Apple touts as the solution for people who aren't smart enough to understand Windows? Right.
Quote this comment #7.3 Posted by Zombie9920 on 06 Jan 2003 - 08:54
[neoquote=#7.2 by JaggedFlame]Broaden your computer skills with a computer that Apple touts as the solution for people who aren't smart enough to understand Windows? Right.[/neoquote] Macs are for retards. Apple even says it...in a different way of course. Thier switch commercials are enough to show that Apple targets retards. LoL
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #8 Posted by R3dF0X on 05 Jan 2003 - 06:07
wow! too bad i dont have a mac lol
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #9 Posted by R3dF0X on 05 Jan 2003 - 06:07
looks cool, to hard to mod/upgrade..
Quote this comment #9.1 Posted by Zombie9920 on 06 Jan 2003 - 08:58
Upgrading a Mac is as easy as throwing your old mac out the window and buying a new one at a ridiculous price.
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