Apple Gets Nasty
I vowed to skip any Apple related news for a while, but this news tidbit is simply too much fun to pass up.
As most people in the video industry know, Apple purchased the high-end video compositing and effects software package Shake a few months ago while on a massive buying spree of video software companies and their wares. Some speculated Apple would roll the software into iMovie, Final Cut Pro, iDVD, or perhaps keep it a standalone application. Today, the latter turned out to be true, as Apple announced Shake 2.5 for Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows.
What's that? Linux? Windows?
Why yes indeed - but there's a catch. If you buy Shake for Mac OS X, be prepared to shell out $4,950. If you want it for Windows or Linux, bettter go get a loan. That version will cost you $9,900. According to the specs page, "Existing Shake customers will be given the option to double the number of their existing licenses at no additional cost by migrating to Mac OS X."
Some may applaud aggressive, bone crushing business decisions like these, but to me it just seems downright nasty. If you're an existing Shake user on Windows or Linux, it will theoretically cost you $5,000 to stay with your platform. Just enough of a monetary difference to buy a PowerMac along with the application.
And this on a day when Industrial Light and Magic announced they purchased 600 Dells running Linux for all their video / special effects work; replacing a fleet or aging RISC-Unix workstations.
Coincidence? Maybe, that is if ILM even uses Shake in their video work. If so, Lucas and Jobs will be rattling their lightsabers at each other for sure.
Update: I should have done a little more homework before opening my mouth. Shake sold for $9,900 before Apple bought the software. The Mac OS X price of $4,950 is actually a massive price drop, while the Windows / Linux price remained static - not hiked, as I originally perceived it to be. Sorry for the mix-up.
Comments
Well, I guess they should be happy they didn't kill the Windows/Linuxs versions outright like they did with Logic. Still, I guess I'm one of those people applauding aggressive business decisions. If Steve is in the game to take business away from MS he's gotta play like MS -- and if that means nasty, he's got my support.
Posted by: Scott M. at July 22, 2002 5:50 PM
Todd, you missed the best part!
Go to the 'tech specs' section of apple shake's site, there you will see under system requirements:
- macintosh: 800mhz G4
- windows: 550 Pentium III
A software that is now Apple's and has this requirement in processor difference. How come are they going to state that a G4 is still faster in video/imaging tasks?
Posted by: joao at July 22, 2002 7:36 PM
Of course you neglected to mention that the $9900.00 price tag is the price that shake was offered to everyone before the buyout. Apple lowered the price for the native X version, as a way to spur on hardware sales. They, in now way are being nasty or screwing the oher platforms. Nothing changed for them, exccept perhaps a real reason to switch.
Posted by: Chris at July 22, 2002 10:49 PM
After reading Todd's post I was thinking yes, Apple is just being nasty, but after reading Chris' comment that Shake originally cost $9,900 I don't have a problem with that Apple is doing. Why not reward customers for using the Mac platform? This is a smart business move in my opinion.
Posted by: Andy at July 22, 2002 11:38 PM
Well, if Chris is right, it's not nasty afterall, too bad, but on the upside, now I have "proof" that the G4 can't be faster in video/imaging tasks. "Proof" on Apple's very own website. *Snicker*
Posted by: tomas at July 23, 2002 5:08 AM
I'm surprised that such a normally perceptive guy (and his readers) could be so fooled.
Apple did nothing "nasty" at all; Shake was $9K before Apple bought it.
As for the "proof" on the software requirements: it's the slowest G4 Mac tower Apple sells, and this is their way of telling you that you want current hardware, that's all.
It's not "proof" that the G4 is "slower" than a 550 MHz Window box. As if!!
As for ILM, if Dell treats them they way they treat their education customers, expect ILM to issue another release inside of two years, saying they are again switching platforms. They will not be happy with their decision today, I guarantee it.
Posted by: Charles Martin at July 23, 2002 5:21 AM
Charles: oh. well, doh!
Posted by: tomas at July 23, 2002 8:09 AM
Hm.... I thought Apple was going to release this as the last version for Windows. Maybe they won't support Windows in the next version?! Apple realizes that killing Shake for irix, Linux and Win2k would simply kill the application and create a void in the post-production world that another vendor would fill. Supporting 3 *nix's, while far from easy, is a lot easier than supporting 3 *nix's + windows. I always wondered what kind of foothold Win had in the high-end post production market anyway. Does anyone know? Apple seems to be serious about replacing SGI, but....
Check this out: http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/2002/07_jul/features/cw_macvspc2.htm
If Win2k or XP runs fast on these new wintel/AMD sytems, they wil run VERY fast w/Linux. Apple doesn't even offer a three button mouse much less offer a pro system that offers the memory bandwidth and graphics hardware that is required by apps like shake and maya. It leads me to believe that:
a) Apple is sitting on some serious hardware that will be released w/10.2
b) Apple is in the process of developing some serious hardware.
c) Apple is in lala land.
The pro line really needs to be updated. Why would a company like ILM buy Macs that cost a lot more than wintel boxes and offer drastically rediced performance levels? The Mac is just getting spanked at this point.
Posted by: Kent at July 23, 2002 2:46 PM
Thanks for correcting yourself. True integrity. And bonus points for not rewriting the blog entry. True class.
As for Kent's perceptive guesses, I couldn't say, but I must comment that what he says (choice 1 and/or 2) make a lot of sense to me.
Posted by: Chas at July 24, 2002 4:15 PM
