Apple Is Phasing Out Boxed Software, Source Says

You don’t have to be a genius to see how the entire software industry (and not only) is slowly moving to digital distribution, leaving CDs and DVDs in a trail of dust. Apple, however, plans to make that move ahead of everyone else, according to a MacRumors source.

Apple’s inspiration is reportedly the iTunes and Mac App Stores, digital storefronts that unify the process of discovering, downloading, and updating mobile and desktop apps with a few single clicks, all from one clean interface.

The rumor site cites its sources as saying that “Apple is planning on making the move to all digital sooner than expected at their retail stores” and that it is “working towards eliminating boxed software and presumably focusing sales through the Mac App Store.”

Adding credence to these claims is Apple’s initiative to offer Personal Setup for Mac buyers - new Mac customers will be tutored by Apple retail staffers on how to obtain software through the Mac App store interface.

Apple has confirmed that “When you purchase a Mac at an Apple Retail store an employee will help you setup your e-mail accounts, walk you through the Mac App Store, setup an iTunes account for you, and show you the basic pointers of owning a Mac. Some stores will even have dedicated Mac setup stations.”

In fact, one would wonder why Apple wouldn’t phase out boxed retail copies of software products like iLife, iWork, and Final Cut, now that it has everything set into place to sell these digitally.

Just because the Mac App Store is now available, Apple can sell iLife and iWork apps individually.

For those who only need one app instead of the whole suite, that’s a heck of a bargain.

It translates into extra bucks for Apple too, since some may have put off their purchase simply because they'd refuse paying for the entire suite.

And if that’s not good enough of an example, then see how the iOS App Store is doing for Apple.

Don’t bother looking up statistics. You can take our word for it. It’s a blast!

Plus, those retail shelves would then hold the more profitable iPads and iPhones instead.