CC-image-300x233We knew it was only a matter of time before Adobe made the switch to cloud-only software, but I was quite surprised that they did it so soon.  The Creative Cloud was introduced about a year ago I believe, and yesterday at Adobe MAX, they announced new versions of their Creative Suite line is no more, and replaced by Creative Cloud.  They will still support Creative Suite 6 with fixes and limited updates, but no new features or anything like that.  If you want the latest and greatest, the cloud is where it is.

Read: Letter from Creative Cloud team

What Adobe showed off is quite impressive.  You will be able to sync your settings across devices, get new features and updates continuously, get access to additional tools, and much more.  There’s no doubt Adobe offers great tools for designers and artists, but the real issue here is the big change to pricing and purchasing.

Here’s the basics:

  • Photoshop CC (or any single app) alone will cost $20 per month. 
  • Full subscription to the entire suite will cost $50 per month.
  • Discounts are available for students/teachers, previous customers, etc.
  • You pay each month, or can pre-purchase memberships from Amazon.

That’s it.  You will no longer be able to purchase a boxed copy or download version as you maybe have done before and are used to.  I’ve been using Adobe products for many years now, although my main app Lightroom will continue  with traditional licensing – at least for now.  I understand the benefits of having a subscription they are trying to push.  Getting updates without “upgrading”, but not having access to the applications if I can’t pay one month is really a big problem.  Not everyone wants or needs to upgrade to the newest version, and going full cloud only gives you the choice of subscribing, or finding an alternative.  I have enough monthly bills as it is, I don’t want another just for software.  I’d rather buy it and be done with it.  Give me reasonable pricing and upgrade paths, and that will be more enticing to upgrade more than anything else.

Adobe has gone cloud-only, Microsoft Office is headed that way, and who knows who else will be next.  Now I need a monthly budget for software that I use and need?  Yeah, that’s not really appealing to myself and I think many other consumers would agree.

So tell me, what do you think about this move by Adobe?


Comments
on May 07, 2013

 

Inevitable...

on May 07, 2013

So... no more editing unless you are connected to internet as well? 

Metered bandwidth is a big problem now as every piece of software you own now makes your use up you limits faster and faster. Not to mention information collection, why I need to upload up to 5mb of data just to connect to Steam is beyond me.

I have to use a bandwidth meter now and I keep a close eye on who is sucking my money.

softperfect.com/products/networx/ Free Bandwidth meter, Very handy and informative.

on May 07, 2013

I have upgraded the last 3 years but no more. Will use the version I have now forever.

Cloud has it's use but not for everyone and now they leave us with no choice. Just another example of our way or no way.

 

on May 07, 2013

The original idea behind having a PC or laptop was to have the software you use available to you 24/7/365. So, you bought it. Now? Yes, but now you'll rent it and never own it.

Sorry...no "rent to own" option. No "buy" option. And they'll determine the price without any leverage for the renter.

You'll just pay forever. I feel truly sorry for the graphic artists. Adobe will own part of you forever. For me? I'll just use what I have...I'm happy with it. I'll never use its full potential anyway. $600 per year to use it? No thanks. Not in my head to do that. Worse come to worse, no one will miss my poor contributions anyway.

 

on May 07, 2013

DrJBHL
The original idea behind having a PC or laptop was to have the software you use available to you 24/7/365. So, you bought it. Now? Yes, but now you'll rent it and never own it.

Sorry...no "rent to own" option. No "buy" option. And they'll determine the price without any leverage for the renter.

You'll just pay forever. I feel truly sorry for the graphic artists. Adobe will own part of you forever. For me? I'll just use what I have...I'm happy with it. I'll never use its full potential anyway. $600 per year to use it? No thanks. Not in my head to do that. Worse come to worse, no one will miss my poor contributions anyway.

Could not have said it better  .

 

EDIT: People should check out Gimp, the UI may be different, but it is a very powerful piece of software once you get the hang of it.

on May 07, 2013


Guess that means I'm done with Adobe.

Completely ridiculous that you have to be connected to the internet to edit.

 

on May 07, 2013

It would seem that you and I and the rest of the us here are not the only ones that will make dumbass decisions along the way that will affect just about others, and not for the good either.     

on May 07, 2013

myfist0
So... no more editing unless you are connected to internet as well? 

GFireflyE
Completely ridiculous that you have to be connected to the internet to edit.

this is FUD.

No.  Your Creative Cloud desktop applications (such as Photoshop and Illustrator) are installed directly on your computer, so you won't need an ongoing Internet connection to use them on a daily basis.You will need to be online when you install and license your software. If you have an annual membership, you'll be asked to connect to the web to validate your software licenses every 30 days.  However, you'll be able to use products for 180 days even if you're offline.

http://www.adobe.com/lu_en/products/creativecloud/faq.html

 

personally i do not like the idea of software subscriptions.

on May 07, 2013

myfist0
So... no more editing unless you are connected to internet as well? 

 

moshi
this is FUD.

since when did asking a simple become 'FUD'? 

on May 07, 2013

sorry then. thought it was a rhetorical question as in the next sentence you were already talking about bandwidth use before there was an answer.

on May 07, 2013

sorry then

Thanks. I guess I can sorta see where you can make that assumption.

My points were to cloud in general and a concern over everything going cloud. Adobe could at any day make their software like the latest SimCity where you can not play or use unless connected. IMO, it will come to everything soon.

on May 07, 2013

moshi
If you have an annual membership, you'll be asked to connect to the web to validate your software licenses every 30 days. However, you'll be able to use products for 180 days even if you're offline.

That disregards the "offer" of all those programs...which aren't installed on your machine. And connection to Adobe will be a must.

I still feel the "rent to own" option would have at least been just.

Also, now consider what Adobe will reap in with advertising on their "Creative Cloud" Portal. Yep, those boys sure know how to get folks over the proverbial barrel.

on May 07, 2013

DrJBHL
That disregards the "offer" of all those programs...which aren't installed on your machine. And connection to Adobe will be a must.

in the sentence before your quote:

Your Creative Cloud desktop applications (such as Photoshop and Illustrator) are installed directly on your computer

 

edit: the thought of editing Hollywood blockbusters with Premiere in the cloud would be hilarious. the internet will likely never be that fast. 

on May 07, 2013

Seems ridiculous and counter productive. So if your fortunes decline, you can't do what you're trained to do to increase them.

All this to benefit Adobe. Count on that. It isn't to benefit the customer. Customer 0, Adobe 1.

on May 07, 2013

Sounds like now's the time to buy an old-fashioned license for Photoshop before it's all gone.