Jeff developed Typekit, and before that Measure Map (which became the UI for Google Analytics). He’s now helping shape Creative Cloud, which launched today. I like this:
Everything stems from two core beliefs. First, the way in which all of us acquire and manage our software is changing. Waiting a couple of years for updates to our tools is no longer tenable for many users. Our relationship to our software is more like that of a service: continuous improvements through frequent iteration.
Second, it’s clear that devices like the iPad are not just for consuming content, but represent the next wave of tools for the creation of content as well. And these new capabilities need tools that have been completely reconsidered. Simple ports of desktop apps won’t do.
He goes on to explain how Creative Cloud integrates desktop apps, touch apps, and services (Web site building & hosting, tablet publishing, and more). And check out the comments section for some good Q&A with readers.
Like renting a car, renting software is great only if you use it infrequently. But if you use the software on a daily/weekly basis renting software becomes very very expensive.
I am sure Adobe loves this scheme as it provides a constant revenue stream. I don’t blame you for wanting to increase revenue. It is after all why you exist.
What I don’t like is the insult to our intelligence where you claim this is something beneficial to the consumer. The ‘frequent updates’ is a joke. How many times do I now get updates to ACR to support new cameras and lenses?
[We need to do a better job clarifying what we mean here. Camera & lens updates are considered compatibility changes, in the vein of bug fixes. We’re talking about doing more frequent feature changes. –J.]
Oh please like I can’t wait 18 months for content aware move? Something that I could do manually (and quite frankly is still a manual process).
[It all depends. If I could offer Web designers smart shapes (rounded rectangles, etc.) in three months instead of 18 months, they’d be a very excited bunch. (Note: that’s just a hypothetical example.) –J.]
What’s next in this brave new world of non-ownership? It’s only a matter of time before we end up having to rent our own music libraries. Oh wait I think Apple already has that.
I’m still trying to figure out how to reconcile spending almost the same amount for an “unlimited” license as for a “rent-dependent” license. Having already paid for the former, my CS6 suite won’t lock me out — ever. Had I subscribed, after paying $450 for nine months of Cloud, if I stopped paying I’d have nothing! Sure, there are some benefits of the Cloud (a few of which used to be available with other arrangements), but if cash is tight next year, I can’t defer my probable upgrade to CS7 because the software will all cease to function if I stop paying. This just seems like a bad idea, whatever other pros and cons there may be. Further, since I *did* already pay, how do I recoup my investment, when a brand new customer will be paying the same rental? I really think the Cloud model needs more work to make it work.
Dear Jack,
Given Adobe’s announcement that customers must PAY for a CRITICAL security fix in CS5 (or ‘upgrade to CS6’) I find your examples hard to believe as the ‘real reason’ you want to go to a subscription model. http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/photoshop-illustrator-users-must-pay-for-critical-security-updates/12113
[You don’t, actually. –J.]
The truth is Adobe has problems with customers performing “version skipping”. That is, upgrading from CS3 to CS5 and skipping CS4 because the new features didn’t justify the costs.
Now… with the subscription model, everyone upgrades REGARDLESS of whether the new features are worth the price or not. You have NO CHOICE in the matter; you MUST pay for the new features even if they aren’t all that hot.
That’s great for Adobe but terrible for the customer because once I start subscribing I can never ‘stop’ or skip a version. The customer has lost the ability to choose what they can afford to do.
This is Adobe’s mindset and it was illustrated quite plainly this week for all to see.
Adobe announced that a CRITICAL security hole in their ‘still supported’ CS5 product would ONLY be fixed if customers PAID for it or upgraded to CS6.
I find that APPALLING especially given how MUCH I paid for CS5 (production premium).
So please don’t insult my intelligence in this manner. We all know WHY you’re pushing this subscription model and we know WHY some of the new products like MUSE are subscription ONLY.
At some point even the CS suite of products will be subscription only and when that day comes I will be using something else.
PS. Don’t take this personal it isn’t about you or even the product line. I love PS, AI and AE and hate to stop using them because I am forced into a business model I simply refuse to agree to.
[I hear you, and I’m glad to hear you love the apps. We love making them for you. –J.]
Agreed Adobe is trying to smoke and mirror the issue and must think we are blind fools who can’t put 1 and 1 together!
like you guys are releasing critical patches on such a often basis it warrents signing up for cloud and paying more. Funny never had a problem with adobe’s site having the patches i need, or adobe update telling me
Adobe is still trying to take us for the idiots they think we are. Smiling and noding and asking for feedback meanwhile ignoring any and all criticism while pushing it aside with the business equivalent of a F.U ( yes we will take it under consideration now please go away and come back when you have a criticism i feel like responding to)
Adobe’s treatment of its core customers is going downhill fast. Funny how they are completely ignoring the huge criticism of cloud and trying to sweep it under the carpet.Not like they are about to adjust the pricing so its more fair
Adobe cloud is a scam to get you locked in and have the nerve to charge you more as they do it
John you must really feel proud representing a company who thinks so little of its user base. We undertand you being silent on the issue because its not in your control but still do you even feel any guilt being associated with this scam?
I think what Adobe is forgetting is that (sure, they make a great product, but that’s not the part they’re forgetting) the customers are what made Adobe what they are now.
How about we see if we can make for example Aviary (www.aviary.com) the leading graphic software. And that we don’t even need to install on our computer. We can just use it in the browser. Or Gimp (www.gimp.com).
The cloud idea isn’t really that bad if your upgrading and use the software a lot. 30 bucks a month instead of laying out several thousand doesnt feel to bad to me and I’m a daily user who probably wouldn’t have upgraded in a legit fashion. That being said they are watching their backs and just following the trends. Its not like the files you create with the subscription version are watermarked or will stop working once you quit. I do like the GIMP, too, 2.8 is pretty great but where is the rest of the suite?
You guys are funny. Adobe is not making you use the creative cloud. If you don’t like it then buy the box version. How complicated is that? Closed Thread.
I’ve been using adobe products for well over a decade. And CS6 will be my last purchase if adobe thinks they will force me into a subscription.
Problem 1
The option to back save to prior versions like CS6 is not realistic and adobe knows it. A project I do with a cloud version say 5 years from now would be useless if I tried to open it with my CS6 down the road.
Problem 2
When I retire, I will no longer subscribe. And I won’t be able to open old comps for personal reasons, like showing grand kids what gramps used to do for a living. That blows.
Problem 3
I simply don’t like the fact that the money I used to shell out was to own a product… Now it’s to rent it.
This will open the door for a new company to step in. Some one will create fantastic software that will probably even open old adobe comps… And they will win a lot of new business away from adobe …including mine. And that’s a shame because until now I loved adobe.