What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps?
Core apps still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO
only available to subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep
an open mind.
On 2026-01-30, MST <hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps?
Core apps still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO
only available to subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep
an open mind.
I'm only interested in Pages and Numbers and I don't use those very
often, so no subscription for me. I wonder if Apple would be
considering making macOS subscription based as do MS with Windows. I sincerely hope not.
On 2026-01-30, MST <hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps?
Core apps still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO
only available to subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep
an open mind.
I'm only interested in Pages and Numbers and I don't use those very
often, so no subscription for me. I wonder if Apple would be
considering making macOS subscription based as do MS with Windows. I sincerely hope not.
I notice that the new versions do not replace the old when downloaded from the
App Store. They coexist
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available
to subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
Martin S Taylor
Martin S Taylor <hogwash@mraermtoivnestaylor.tchoims> wrote:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core
apps still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available
to subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
From discussion elsewhere, they make sense over a purchase if one of the following apply:
1. You're a student (the student rate is very cheap)
2. You more than a few of the creator apps
3. You want to try them before committing to purchase
4. You want to use some of the AI features that need to run on a server
You can still buy the apps individually, but this allows you access to the full catalogue for a relatively low price which you can stop at any time.
It gives you options.
Theo
On 30 Jan 2026 at 09:55:23 GMT, "Alan B" <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid>
wrote:
On 2026-01-30, MST <hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps?
Core apps still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO
only available to subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep
an open mind.
I'm only interested in Pages and Numbers and I don't use those very
often, so no subscription for me. I wonder if Apple would be
considering making macOS subscription based as do MS with Windows. I
sincerely hope not.
I use Pages and Numbrs but only in a very amateurish way. I came across this change when I wanted to enter some new data this morning.
I have archived the old versions and switched to the new. So far, so good.
I notice that the new versions do not replace the old when downloaded from the
App Store. They coexist
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps
still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to
subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
Martin S Taylor
No features were removed, and some were added, and some bugs fixed (like the toolbar bug that has bothered me for a LONG time... finally fixed).
For students the price is quite low... and you get a lot for it.
On 30 Jan 2026, Brock McNuggets wrote
(in article<697cf80c$0$18$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>):
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps?
Core apps still available as stand-alone, but 'certain features' only available to subscribers. I'm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
Martin S Taylor
No features were removed, and some were added, and some bugs fixed (like the
toolbar bug that has bothered me for a LONG time... finally fixed).
So for those of us who have bought all of the apps we're ever going to
use, we can't access these new features unless we subscribe? Is that
what you're saying?
For students the price is quite low... and you get a lot for it.
That's very reassuring if you're a student.
MST
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
Martin S Taylor
On 30 Jan 2026, Brock McNuggets wrote
(in article<697cf80c$0$18$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>):
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps
still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to
subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
Martin S Taylor
No features were removed, and some were added, and some bugs fixed (like the >> toolbar bug that has bothered me for a LONG time... finally fixed).
So for those of us who have bought all of the apps werCOre ever going to use, we
canrCOt access these new features unless we subscribe? Is that what yourCOre saying?
For students the price is quite low... and you get a lot for it.
ThatrCOs very reassuring if yourCOre a student.
MST--
Fair. For pros it is also a lot cheaper. The challenge is those in the middle.
What do we think?
Projects in Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro remain on
all your devices, and you can copy or share them to any other
device. To open or edit a project, you need to be an active
subscriber.
On 30 Jan 2026, Brock McNuggets wrote
(in article<697d2206$0$23$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>):
Fair. For pros it is also a lot cheaper. The challenge is those in the middle.
I mean, I kinda fall into the pro category with Logic and I really, really dislike it regardless of cost.
The hassle isnrCOt saving a quid, the hassle
is you not being able to open projects you saved a year ago if you stop subscribing.
ItrCOs already bad enough with software synth and effect plugins
changing versions. Throw rCLyou canrCOt open this one because you stopped subscribingrCY into the mix and...no.
Ian--
On 30 Jan 2026, Brock McNuggets wrote
(in article<697d2206$0$23$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>):
Fair. For pros it is also a lot cheaper. The challenge is those in the middle.
I mean, I kinda fall into the pro category with Logic and I really, really dislike it regardless of cost. The hassle isnrCOt saving a quid, the hassle is you not being able to open projects you saved a year ago if you stop subscribing. ItrCOs already bad enough with software synth and effect plugins
changing versions. Throw rCLyou canrCOt open this one because you stopped subscribingrCY into the mix and...no.
Martin S Taylor <hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:
On 30 Jan 2026, Brock McNuggets wrote
(in article<697cf80c$0$18$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>):
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps?
Core apps still available as stand-alone, but 'certain features' only
available to subscribers. I'm suspicious, but trying to keep an open
mind.
Martin S Taylor
No features were removed, and some were added, and some bugs fixed (like the
toolbar bug that has bothered me for a LONG time... finally fixed).
So for those of us who have bought all of the apps we're ever going to
use, we can't access these new features unless we subscribe? Is that
what you're saying?
For students the price is quite low... and you get a lot for it.
That's very reassuring if you're a student.
MST
I've just d/l'ed the whole suite at no charge. Some apps have
in-app purchases, I presume to unlock higher functions.
On 30 Jan 2026, Old John wrote
(in article <10li5ls$22d6d$1@dont-email.me>):
I notice that the new versions do not replace the old when downloaded from the
App Store. They coexist
ThatrCOs worth knowing. Thank you.
MST
On 30 Jan 2026 at 20:51:39 GMT, "Sn!pe" <Sn!pe> wrote:
Martin S Taylor <hogwash@mRaErMtOiVnEstaylor.TcHoImS> wrote:
On 30 Jan 2026, Brock McNuggets wrote
(in article<697cf80c$0$18$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>):
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps?
Core apps still available as stand-alone, but 'certain features' only >>>>> available to subscribers. I'm suspicious, but trying to keep an open >>>>> mind.
Martin S Taylor
No features were removed, and some were added, and some bugs fixed (like the
toolbar bug that has bothered me for a LONG time... finally fixed).
So for those of us who have bought all of the apps we're ever going to
use, we can't access these new features unless we subscribe? Is that
what you're saying?
For students the price is quite low... and you get a lot for it.
That's very reassuring if you're a student.
MST
I've just d/l'ed the whole suite at no charge. Some apps have
in-app purchases, I presume to unlock higher functions.
In recent months IrCOve cancelled several app subscriptions and looked for one
off payment or free alternatives. I get the feeling some sub based product developers take you for granted and slowly but surely push up the renewal fees. ItrCOs a bit like car insurance companies who rCLrewardrCY loyalty with annual
policy cost increases. Fortunately with car insurance thererCOs plenty of scope
to shop around but thatrCOs not necessarily the case with specialist apps.
On Jan 30, 2026 at 3:33:20rC>PM MST, "Ian McCall" wrote <0001HW.2F2D6930016BC704309F2A38F@news.individual.net>:
On 30 Jan 2026, Brock McNuggets wrote
(in article<697d2206$0$23$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>):
Fair. For pros it is also a lot cheaper. The challenge is those in the middle.
I mean, I kinda fall into the pro category with Logic and I really, really dislike it regardless of cost.
Why not use a competitor then? Not being snarky -- I do not use it or GarageBand.
There's a handy list here<https://www.payonce.tools/tools> It's a website with a curated list of free/one-time payment apps. I'm not sure how useful it would be though - there must be a hell of a lot more apps that aren't listed (plus the effort of keeping it updated).
On Jan 30, 2026 at 2:44:29rC>AM MST, "Martin S Taylor" wrote ><0001HW.2F2CB4FD00779E2430AFF238F@news.eternal-september.org>:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps >> still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to >> subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
Martin S Taylor
No features were removed, and some were added, and some bugs fixed (like the >toolbar bug that has bothered me for a LONG time... finally fixed).
For students the price is quite low... and you get a lot for it.
A lot of developers have talked about the past models of pay-once and get >never ending updates is not really sustainable. I accept that... but still do >not like it. I do not like recurring payments and minimize them as much as I >reasonably can. Even with Usenet I pay for a "block". If and when I use it up >I can decide if I want to buy another one, and if so how big.
With Microsoft and Adobe (Photoshop and Lightroom), I ended up grudgingly accepting it. Of the two, I get more value out of Adobe
On 30/01/2026 18:27, Brock McNuggets wrote:
On Jan 30, 2026 at 2:44:29rC>AM MST, "Martin S Taylor" wrote
<0001HW.2F2CB4FD00779E2430AFF238F@news.eternal-september.org>:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps
still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to
subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
Martin S Taylor
No features were removed, and some were added, and some bugs fixed (like the >> toolbar bug that has bothered me for a LONG time... finally fixed).
For students the price is quite low... and you get a lot for it.
A lot of developers have talked about the past models of pay-once and get
never ending updates is not really sustainable. I accept that... but still do
not like it. I do not like recurring payments and minimize them as much as I >> reasonably can. Even with Usenet I pay for a "block". If and when I use it up
I can decide if I want to buy another one, and if so how big.
With Microsoft and Adobe (Photoshop and Lightroom), I ended up grudgingly
accepting it. Of the two, I get more value out of Adobe (terabyte plan,
often allowing me to upload photos while I'm still out and about, and edit
from anywhere). If it wasn't for work, either Libre Office or Google would
be fine for me.
On 30 Jan 2026, Brock McNuggets wrote
(in article<697d3e08$0$18$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>):
On Jan 30, 2026 at 3:33:20rC>PM MST, "Ian McCall" wrote
<0001HW.2F2D6930016BC704309F2A38F@news.individual.net>:
On 30 Jan 2026, Brock McNuggets wrote
(in article<697d2206$0$23$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>):
Fair. For pros it is also a lot cheaper. The challenge is those in the >>>> middle.
I mean, I kinda fall into the pro category with Logic and I really, really >>> dislike it regardless of cost.
Why not use a competitor then? Not being snarky -- I do not use it or
GarageBand.
Oh I do. I now use hardware and an MPC One+. IrCOm not fooling myself, you can do more with Logic, but I started out in the Atari ST days on Steinberg Pro 12 which begat Pro 24 which begat Cubase. When I moved to the PC in the 486DX2 days, I moved to Cubase on it. If pushed now, IrCOd likely either force myself to learn Ableton (never really got on with it, but itrCOs kind of a standard now) or go back to Cubase (more in-depth controls for things like score editing etc.).
Cheers,--
Ian
On 31 Jan 2026, Mark wrote
(in article<slluSJehtGCgDTuwZLoSjNapZVQkvuGj@news.usenet.farm>):
There's a handy list here<https://www.payonce.tools/tools> It's a website >> with a curated list of free/one-time payment apps. I'm not sure how useful it
would be though - there must be a hell of a lot more apps that aren't listed >> (plus the effort of keeping it updated).
Given that it lists Affinity Photo and Affinity Design but not Affinity Publisher it isnrCOt updated that often.
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
On 30 Jan 2026 at 09:44:29 GMT, Martin S Taylor wrote:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps >> still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to >> subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
I'd like to think that Apple was rich enough to provide core apps (Pages, Numbers say) as existing - included with the OS, and therefore tied to their hardware. But hey, we are where we are etc.
I'm having to look closely at using Numbers and Pages as my main apps - I've got MS Office but it keeps messing about and going into read only mode unless I follow increasingly Byzantine recovery procedures. This happened a few days ago and I've not managed to get it to work. And I'm not paying a subscription.
I realise I'd have to learn new ways of doing things, but are the existing free versions up to replacing MS Office? I suppose LibreOffice is a good candidate but I don't like the interface.
I'd guess it's wait and see for the subscuption versions - can't see me needing AI though.
On 3 Feb 2026 at 21:50:50 GMT, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
On 30 Jan 2026 at 09:44:29 GMT, Martin S Taylor wrote:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps
still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to
subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
I'd like to think that Apple was rich enough to provide core apps (Pages,
Numbers say) as existing - included with the OS, and therefore tied to their >> hardware. But hey, we are where we are etc.
I'm having to look closely at using Numbers and Pages as my main apps - I've >> got MS Office but it keeps messing about and going into read only mode unless
I follow increasingly Byzantine recovery procedures. This happened a few days
ago and I've not managed to get it to work. And I'm not paying a subscription.
I realise I'd have to learn new ways of doing things, but are the existing >> free versions up to replacing MS Office? I suppose LibreOffice is a good
candidate but I don't like the interface.
I'd guess it's wait and see for the subscuption versions - can't see me
needing AI though.
I downloaded the new Pages and Numbers independently from Apple Creator Studio
(which I have not downloaded). No mention of a subscription for either. The old versions came up with flags saying that they would no longer be supported and a link for the new ones.
Also, both are still in the App Store independently of Apple Creator Studio.
AI may be very clever and all that, but I don't need it either. And I'm not sure thatt the current AI bubble won't burst, as did the .com bubble around the millennium.
On 2026-02-04, Old John <watcombeman@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
On 3 Feb 2026 at 21:50:50 GMT, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
On 30 Jan 2026 at 09:44:29 GMT, Martin S Taylor wrote:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps
still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to
subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
I'd like to think that Apple was rich enough to provide core apps (Pages, >>> Numbers say) as existing - included with the OS, and therefore tied to their
hardware. But hey, we are where we are etc.
I'm having to look closely at using Numbers and Pages as my main apps - I've
got MS Office but it keeps messing about and going into read only mode unless
I follow increasingly Byzantine recovery procedures. This happened a few days
ago and I've not managed to get it to work. And I'm not paying a subscription.
I realise I'd have to learn new ways of doing things, but are the existing >>> free versions up to replacing MS Office? I suppose LibreOffice is a good >>> candidate but I don't like the interface.
I'd guess it's wait and see for the subscuption versions - can't see me
needing AI though.
I downloaded the new Pages and Numbers independently from Apple Creator Studio
(which I have not downloaded). No mention of a subscription for either. The >> old versions came up with flags saying that they would no longer be supported
and a link for the new ones.
Also, both are still in the App Store independently of Apple Creator Studio. >>
AI may be very clever and all that, but I don't need it either. And I'm not >> sure thatt the current AI bubble won't burst, as did the .com bubble around >> the millennium.
The trouble is a lot of people are rushing into it headlong, believing everything AI tells them. It's certainly here to stay and won't "burst"
but people should use it as a guide rather than gospel.
On 2026-02-04, Old John <watcombeman@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
On 3 Feb 2026 at 21:50:50 GMT, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
On 30 Jan 2026 at 09:44:29 GMT, Martin S Taylor wrote:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps
still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to
subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
I'd like to think that Apple was rich enough to provide core apps (Pages, >>> Numbers say) as existing - included with the OS, and therefore tied to their
hardware. But hey, we are where we are etc.
I'm having to look closely at using Numbers and Pages as my main apps - I've
got MS Office but it keeps messing about and going into read only mode unless
I follow increasingly Byzantine recovery procedures. This happened a few days
ago and I've not managed to get it to work. And I'm not paying a subscription.
I realise I'd have to learn new ways of doing things, but are the existing >>> free versions up to replacing MS Office? I suppose LibreOffice is a good >>> candidate but I don't like the interface.
I'd guess it's wait and see for the subscuption versions - can't see me
needing AI though.
I downloaded the new Pages and Numbers independently from Apple Creator Studio
(which I have not downloaded). No mention of a subscription for either. The >> old versions came up with flags saying that they would no longer be supported
and a link for the new ones.
Also, both are still in the App Store independently of Apple Creator Studio. >>
AI may be very clever and all that, but I don't need it either. And I'm not >> sure thatt the current AI bubble won't burst, as did the .com bubble around >> the millennium.
The trouble is a lot of people are rushing into it headlong, believing everything AI tells them. It's certainly here to stay and won't "burst"
but people should use it as a guide rather than gospel.
On 5 Feb 2026 at 07:01:38 GMT, Old John wrote:
On 4 Feb 2026 at 09:21:15 GMT, "Alan B" <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid>
wrote:
On 2026-02-04, Old John <watcombeman@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
On 3 Feb 2026 at 21:50:50 GMT, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
On 30 Jan 2026 at 09:44:29 GMT, Martin S Taylor wrote:
What do we think? Apple moving to the subscription model for apps? Core apps
still available as stand-alone, but rCycertain featuresrCO only available to
subscribers. IrCOm suspicious, but trying to keep an open mind.
I'd like to think that Apple was rich enough to provide core apps (Pages, >>>>> Numbers say) as existing - included with the OS, and therefore tied to their
hardware. But hey, we are where we are etc.
I'm having to look closely at using Numbers and Pages as my main apps - I've
got MS Office but it keeps messing about and going into read only mode unless
I follow increasingly Byzantine recovery procedures. This happened a few days
ago and I've not managed to get it to work. And I'm not paying a subscription.
I realise I'd have to learn new ways of doing things, but are the existing
free versions up to replacing MS Office? I suppose LibreOffice is a good >>>>> candidate but I don't like the interface.
I'd guess it's wait and see for the subscuption versions - can't see me >>>>> needing AI though.
I downloaded the new Pages and Numbers independently from Apple Creator Studio
(which I have not downloaded). No mention of a subscription for either. The
old versions came up with flags saying that they would no longer be supported
and a link for the new ones.
Also, both are still in the App Store independently of Apple Creator Studio.
AI may be very clever and all that, but I don't need it either. And I'm not
sure thatt the current AI bubble won't burst, as did the .com bubble around
the millennium.
The trouble is a lot of people are rushing into it headlong, believing
everything AI tells them. It's certainly here to stay and won't "burst"
but people should use it as a guide rather than gospel.
My second son says that he never trusts AI unless he can get confirmation from
a non-AI independent source.
This is after a question of his was answered by referring to work done by one
C*** B*** (abbreviated). The problem was that C*** B*** is an alias he himself
created on Facebook as aid to privacy.
A classic example of data incest.
It happens!
I used to work as a low-mid grade academic in universities - retired 2021. AI was not a thing (way) back then.
Now, I gather from ex-colleagues I see from time to time, it's embeded. Learning materials are created, updated, and edited using AI. Students use AI to create assessed work, which is then marked using AI. Grade appeals are rare
(in case AI is found to be at work - spotted by AI) but when they happen, the grounds are generated by AI.
Research, PhDs and the like - open season. I don't think anyone really knows what's going on.
The plagiarism tools (Turnitin etc.) are easily circumvented, they say. It does take some work - checking and varying sources, changing styles and so on.
But that's basic editing, and ever thus.
Can't see how it can be sustained.
Anyway, glad I'm out of it :-)
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