Interesting to wake this morning to news of Apple leaning into the subscription model for their ‘pro’ software. I was a little concerned to see the productivity apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) included in the list, but felt more relaxed when reading they are following the Affinity model of remaining free to use, but having expanded AI capabilities for paid users.
As much as I detest subscriptions, the price seems ‘reasonable’ given the apps can be shared with 5 people. The student pricing is also very good.
I guess my main question is about the apps themselves. Many video shooters seem to be gravitating towards DaVinci Resolve which can be used for free. Pixelmator, whilst a decent app, isn’t nearly as attractive now Affinity is free. I have no idea how popular Logic is but it always struck me as fairly niche.
It’s highly unlikely I’d subscribe — I have little need for the Pro apps, and I can’t see myself wanting the AI options in the productivity apps. Curious how many folks here would be enticed by a new subscription offer.
…And just one minor observation when look for information on this, the Apple website is probably the strangest I’ve seen in a long time. The hero image being airpods followed by Watch, phone, iPad and Fitness before even a mention of a Mac.
If the AI features are cloud-based (e.g. asking the AI to generate an image from a description), then it makes perfect sense. Those cloud services cost money.
If the features are run locally (e.g. using an Apple Silicon NPU to perform advanced filtering) without cloud services, then IMO, it’s just a cash-grab.
As for Apple Logic,
I read in this that it is second place way behind “Pro Tools.”
Years ago, I had to pick one DAW to learn well, and that was Logic Pro.
I won’t be subscribing, as of now, because I can already add any new features with existing plug-ins or other software.
It’s a good price for the pro creative apps. I wish they’d have a separate iWork only option.
I use everything in this, but already own them all. I’m an educator (for a little longer…) and the annual price for that is very cheap really. It makes it worth subscribing just to get the iPad version of FCP and Pixelmator Pro and check out the AI boosts to iWork.