Adobe: Goodbye, Boxed Software

Adobe has confirmed that it is phasing out boxed versions of its software in favor of online downloads and Creative Cloud sales. The change shouldn't come as a big surprise since Adobe has been pushing customers to electronic-only purchases for some time, and with the launch of Creative Suite 6 has been urging all customers to move to its subscription-based app service.

Adobe finally killing off boxed software optionsAdobe finally killing off boxed software options

After resellers began saying boxed Creative Suite sales would end on May 1, Adobe confirmed to TechHive that the traditional boxed DVD option was going away. A company spokesperson stated, "As Adobe continues to focus on delivering world-class innovation through Creative Cloud and digital fulfillment, we will be phasing out shrink-wrapped, boxed versions of Creative Suite and Acrobat products."

Software downloads instead of traditional disc-based purchases has been a growing trend for years, and can be a big money saver for developers since they can cut down on physical material purchases as well as printing costs. In this case, it means Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and the rest of the Creative Suite apps will no longer be available on disc, which probably isn't that big of a deal for most Mac owners since Apple has been phasing out its optical drives as well.

For Adobe app users that need a disc-based installer, now would be a good time to buy since boxed copies of Creative Suite 6 are about to become scarce.