14 DAY TRIAL // Shortages of boxed iWork copies at several German retailers, including Amazon.de, Cyberport.de, Gravis.de, and Alternate.de., indicate that Apple is either planning to release a brand new version of the productivity suite, or that distribution of the current version is going digital-only.
In fact, one way or the other, iWork distribution is going digital-only, whether we like it or not. That's why Apple has something called 'the Mac App Store'.
The only question left unanswered is: will Apple refresh iWork two and a half years after the suite’s last major revision?
Cupertino has shown immense interest in phasing out any type of boxed software it previously sold, including the likes of Final Cut Pro and iLife.
MobileMe went that route too, but one could easily say this one had something to do with the subsequent iCloud announcement last month.
iWork applications are being individually distributed through the Mac App Store too.
At 20 dollars a piece, Pages, Keynote and Numbers likely sell better than they previously did as a more expensive bundle.
Yet, the physical package (disc) is still available for purchase through Apple and various retailers worldwide.
However, the fact that the boxed version of iWork '09 is currently out of stock at a number of prominent German retailers, as reported by MacLife.de (via MacRumors), doesn’t necessarily mean it’s being eliminated.
The only good guess we have right now is that Apple is not in a hurry to change anything. iWork will eventually become a Mac App Store exclusive and iWork ‘11 is something that remains to be seen.
Apple is launching OS X 10.7 this month. There is indication that Lion’s debut will be accompanied by a new range of Macintosh computers, including new MacBook Air, Mac Pro and Mac mini models.
Announcing a new version of iWork in tandem with these new products could only help the suite get off to a good start.