Apple has done the right thing and changed its pricing policy on AppleShare IP 6.2. Earlier this week we reported that Apple was charging full price for upgrading from version 6.X to 6.2, a policy that outraged AppleShare IP customers. The Mac Observer, along with other Mac web sites such as MacInTouch, MacTimes, and Applelinks among others reported and editorialized on this policy. Apple has now changed this policy and is offering the upgrade for free to owners of version 6.x. Thanks to an anonymous Observer who sent us the following letter from Phil Schiller, VP of Worldwide Product Marketing for Apple, sent to the AppleShare IP mailing list:
***AppleShare IP 6.2 Web Update***
This week Apple introduced AppleShare IP 6.2. It includes some significant new features long requested by AppleShare customers including Shared User & Groups across multiple servers and enhanced Sherlock searching for shared folders and web sites. AppleShare IP 6.2 also supports the latest release of Mac OS and includes some valued fixes that a number of our AppleShare customers have asked for.
We have received strong feedback from a number of our loyal AppleShare IP 6 customers about the need to provide this latest release of AppleShare IP to them at a more affordable price than the $499 upgrade that has been announced. They are absolutely right.
Today Apple made available a free web-based update to AppleShare IP 6.2 for current AppleShare 6.0 and 6.1 customers. This update can be downloaded directly from [Apple Software Updates]. The International versions of this update will be available within a month. The upgrade for versions previous to AppleShare IP 6 will remain $499.
Apple's customers are considered by many to be the most loyal and passionate in the industry. We love to listen to them, learn from them, and respond quickly when they provide advice.
Phil Schiller
VP, Worldwide Product Marketing
Apple Computer, Inc.
The Mac Observer applauds this move by Apple!
The Mac Observer Spin: The initial move was a remarkably foolish one for Apple, but once again they showed they can Think Different. Just as with the company changing its FireWire licensing fee in the face of worldwide opposition, the company has quickly moved to meet customer criticism on this pricing issue. Once upon a time, Apple may well not have budged even in the face of the rage seen from AppleShare IP customers. It is clear that Apple values its customers and this is a good thing.
We would like to think the very many Observers who contributed to this story and this issue as well as the ones who initially brought it to our attention!
Apple
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