As an update to our previously posted story - Neowin: Apple's new toys, what will they be? which discussed the possibility of Apple updating some of it's "i" digital hub software, come news that Apple is also toying with the idea of charging for some of the "i" Apps, a move that could anger customers accustomed to receiving free updates.
Sources familiar with the plans say that 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 at up to $50 for the upgrade..
Previously, Apple had offered upgrades to its digital media, or "i" applications, for free. The move to charge for the software trio update 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.
"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.
And as being reported on ThinkSecret, looks like this charge for the "i" Apps is a huge possibility...
- After Steve Jobs begins his keynote by putting a positive spin on his Apple retail stores -- which by the way aren't having any impact whatsoever on Mac market share -- he'll dive right into the updates to a number of iApps ranging from iDVD, to iMovie, to iPhoto. He'll wow the crowd with all the new features. He'll feed his ego with the crowd's "ooooohh's" and "aaahhh's."
And then he'll drop the bomb shell that if you want full version upgrades of these products, you'll pay a little less than $50 for a bundled package!
News source: CNet News
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