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Adobe to move all of its Creative Suite applications to a $49.99/month cloud based format.
Fade2Black
Posts: 1,457
Thoughts?
I really hate the notion of having to be online to use Photoshop, or to be tied into a $49/month Creative Suite commitment (there's a 40% price break for the first year for registered Adobe CS3 or later users). This just reeks of cell. phone and cable pricing, which are payment models I wholeheartedly despise.
http://www.iclarified.com/29809/adobe-discontinues-standalone-applications-moves-to-subscription-only-model
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xADqehaGh2A
I really hate the notion of having to be online to use Photoshop, or to be tied into a $49/month Creative Suite commitment (there's a 40% price break for the first year for registered Adobe CS3 or later users). This just reeks of cell. phone and cable pricing, which are payment models I wholeheartedly despise.
http://www.iclarified.com/29809/adobe-discontinues-standalone-applications-moves-to-subscription-only-model
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xADqehaGh2A
Comments
Stupid, stupid Adobe.
But still, the model blows. What really bugs me is that the video seems to imply that once a new version is released the old one will cease working after one year from the date that new version is released.
As for a reason to upgrade, yeah I'm with you there, but Adobe has stated publicly that all updates to future Adobe products will address bugs only. I take that to mean that if a computer's OS is upgraded they won't be going out of their way to make old software compatible with future operating systems. In other words time will eventually force people to buy into their new model.
1. Sales of the non-month-to-month versions of Photoshop will likely spike.
2. Pirated versions of Photoshop will likely remain about the same (though I suppose the same incentive for the surge in legit sales may also fuel an increase in pirated copies as well).
3. Adobe will ensure that the next major OS upgrade won't be backwards compatible with older Creative Suite versions. In other words, those who buy new hardware and wish to run Adobe's Creative Suite will be forced to buy into Adobe's monthly/annual payment plans. Piracy will become more difficult for Adobe's new software will require periodic check-ins and more specific device recognition.
4. Alternative software, such as the free Gimp will gain new converts. The problem is, many of Adobe's more popular features are patented. Case in point: clicking on my "About Photoshop (CS3)" menu item yielded the following patents.
Protected by U.S. Patents 4,667,247; 4,837,613; 5,050,103; 5,146,346; 5,185,818; 5,200,740; 5,233,336; 5,237,313; 5,255,357; 5,546,528; 5,625,711; 5,634,064; 5,729,637; 5,737,599; 5,754,873; 5,781,785; 5,808,623; 5,819,278; 5,819,301; 5,832,530; 5,832,531; 5,835,634; 5,860,074; 5,870,091; 5,905,506; 5,929,866; 5,930,813; 5,943,063; 5,974,198; 5,995,086; 5,999,649; 6,023,264; 6,025,850; 6,028,583; 6,049,339; 6,072,502; 6,073,148; 6,084,684; 6,100,904; 6,185,342; 6,205,549; 6,208,351; 6,269,196; 6,275,587; 6,289,364; 6,298,157; 6,313,824; 6,324,555; 6,337,925; 6,357,038; 6,385,350; 6,396,959; 6,408,092; 6,411,730; 6,411,742; 6,415,278; 6,421,460; 6,434,269; 6,456,297; 6,466,210; 6,507,848; 6,515,675; 6,563,502; 6,563,509; 6,587,592; 6,604,105; 6,606,166; 6,639,593; 6,701,023; 6,711,557; 6,720,997; 6,721,446; 6,728,398; 6,748,111; 6,754,382; 6,771,816; 6,775,821; 6,785,866; 6,791,573; 6,803,923; 6,825,852; 6,842,786; 6,844,882; 6,857,105; 6,862,102; 6,865,301; 6,894,704; 6,934,909; 6,970,169; 6,983,074; 7,002,597; 7,006,107; 7,006,707; 7,042,467; 7,071,948; 7,088,375; patents pending
Even if software alternatives exist, they won't be able to emulate many of the features so many people are accustomed to simply because the technology is patented.