Apple to Sell Software via Software Update?
Embedded in one of the configuration files of Panther's Software Update is evidence that Apple has planned for the implementation of a new feature in Software Update: Selling Software. In addition, it appears Apple also plans on offering discounts on the sales to current .Mac subscribers.
Longstanding rumors have hinted that Apple will be revamping Software Update to allow 3rd party developers to provide their own updates through the Apple utility. It's unclear if purchasable software would be limited to Apple's own selections or opened to 3rd party developers as well.
The Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) Software Update's English.lproj Localizable.strings file includes the following messages (which were not present in Mac OS X 10.2):
A 1-Click account is required to purchase software.
To purchase software, you need an Apple account with 1-Click ordering enabled. If you don't have an Apple account, you can create one in just a few minutes by clicking Set Up.
Save ?? with a .Mac membership.
.Mac members enjoy free or discounted pricing on software. Click Set Up to make sure your member name and password are correct, or sign up for a .Mac membership. Click Continue if you don't want a .Mac membership now.
Longstanding rumors have hinted that Apple will be revamping Software Update to allow 3rd party developers to provide their own updates through the Apple utility. It's unclear if purchasable software would be limited to Apple's own selections or opened to 3rd party developers as well.
Top Rated Comments
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106 months ago
Extend the one-click system into every place you can, and you have a lot of happy customers emptying their wallets.
I'd use this as much as I use iTMS (very frequently).
Dan
btw - All those who say they don't get enough for their money with .Mac are insane. I LOVE what Apple is doing for my business.
I'd use this as much as I use iTMS (very frequently).
Dan
btw - All those who say they don't get enough for their money with .Mac are insane. I LOVE what Apple is doing for my business.
106 months ago
With download speeds on the rise, this makes sense to me. Save me a trip to the store and make it convenient. Just hope the interface is simple. Knowing Apple, it will be.
106 months ago
This sounds like a good idea, if they gave a discount to everyone. Just think how much cheaper it would be for them to not have to ship it.
106 months ago
Oooh... I want that $99 Final Cut Express deal, but I don't want to have to buy a new Mac to get it. Bring it on!
106 months ago
There would also need to be an easy way for users to make a backup copy of their downloaded software for when they need to reinstall. And Backup is not the solution. I've never had success with that program, Carbon Copy Cloner is far superior.
Other than that I'm all for it. I'd like to be getting a little more bang for my $99 .mac membership, right now my .mac email is really the only reason I keep it around as all my friends and family have that address.
Other than that I'm all for it. I'd like to be getting a little more bang for my $99 .mac membership, right now my .mac email is really the only reason I keep it around as all my friends and family have that address.
106 months ago
Great idea. I agree that they'd need a good policy in cases where people lost their program, though. Probably just a serial number. Out of curiosity, I wonder how large the downloads would be. Would this apply to all programs or just the smaller ones?
I hope this service won't be limited to American customers. I'd love to get even more out of my .Mac membership.
Squire
I hope this service won't be limited to American customers. I'd love to get even more out of my .Mac membership.
Squire
106 months ago
S-UD allows you to download to the desktop instead of direct install; just take those files and burn them to CD-Rs.
106 months ago
Well lets hope they can do it internationally unlike pretty much every 'buy within the OS' feature in OSX. iPhoto, iTunes etc all are US only and Apple needs to fix this fast.
I hope that Apple also allows open source, free, tools to be sent over Software Update (but surely it will have a new name if it allows new software to be installed?). I doubt this though - Apple's policy on open-source seems to be 'only use if very necessary or we save serious money', however, they do contribute back so they are not too evil :P.
I hope that Apple also allows open source, free, tools to be sent over Software Update (but surely it will have a new name if it allows new software to be installed?). I doubt this though - Apple's policy on open-source seems to be 'only use if very necessary or we save serious money', however, they do contribute back so they are not too evil :P.
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