Apple has started taking orders for Universal Binary versions of its Final Cut Studio, Logic Pro, Logic Express and Aperture applications. Logic Pro and Logic Express Universal Binaries are shipping this month for US$49 and $29, respectively, while Apertureis update will be available for free through the Software Update preference pane, an Apple representative told MacCentralis Jim Dalrymple.

Mr. Dalrymple also reported that the Final Cut Studio crossgrade will still ship in March for $49. Users need to download and complete a PDF form and send it to Apple along with their original discs. The company will verify the discs and then send out the Universal Binary versions.

Universal Binaries of Shake and Final Cut Express are not available yet. Apple will announce information about those upgrades at a later date, according to Mr. Dalrymple.

He also noted that Apple has done away with selling Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro and DVD Studio Pro separately, instead offering only the full Final Cut Studio. This applies not only to the Universal Binary crossgrade but also to users who have earlier versions of those applications and want to upgrade to the new ones -- theyill have to buy the full studio, but Apple is being aggressive about it, with pricing starting at $99.

"Apple said the decision to only offer the applications as part of a suite was based on years of research on what their customers were doing with the applications," Mr. Dalrymple wrote. "Professionals and independents, according to Appleis surveys, are wearing multiple hats in their jobs."