Speculating whether FCPX 10.1 be a paid update?

[Marcus Moore]

[Mark Dobson] “So that sounds pretty conclusive that the big upgrade we are all waiting for will cost extra and the next question would be how much? Presumably this will be more than the present cost of the software.”

I’m not sure I follow- you’re imagining that 10.1 will cost more than the $299 that the software currently sells for? If so, I disagree. Just like Logic9 to LogicX, the price for the software will probably remain the same.

[Mark Dobson] “Whilst existing versions will no doubt continue to be supported I doubt that there will be 2 versions for sale on the App store, so all existing users will need to pay for the enhanced software or stick with 10.0.1.”

I think you mean 10.0.9. And again, just like any software in the appStore, you can still have access to older versions after newer ones come out. If someone decides to stick with 10.0.9 for the time being, if they buy a new computer, they’ll still be able to download the latest version of 10.0 from their purchase history. And if a critical bug were found, Apple could still update 10.0.

As you point out, I think Apple spells out the line for unpaid/paid updates quite clearly.

The only way 10.1 is a free update is if Apple decides to do it as a MASSIVE PR back-peddle. And frankly, I think that’s unlikely.

Apple provided refunds to those who wanted them right after release, and Apple has provided 30 day free trials since 10.0.1. If 10.1 IS a big upgrade, then I hope they continue with the free trial, so that people can take the time to re-evaluate it before purchasing.

[Gary Huff]

But it will have to have its own separate entry in the App Store, right? So what would they call it? FCPX 10.1? I thought the X stood for 10? And isn’t FCPX 10.1 kind of a crappy naming convention? Perhaps FCPX2?

Logic 9 and Logic X are no way comparable. That would be like if Apple had added FCP7 to the App Store first and then had later released FCPX.

[Walter Soyka]

[Gary Huff] “But it will have to have its own separate entry in the App Store, right?”

I’d imagine it would. I’d also imagine the NLE formerly known as FCPX will become unavailable.

[Gary Huff] “So what would they call it? FCPX 10.1? I thought the X stood for 10? And isn’t FCPX 10.1 kind of a crappy naming convention? Perhaps FCPX2?”

We had operating systems named “Mac OS X 10.x” for more than a decade.

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
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[Mark Dobson]

[Marcus Moore] “I think you mean 10.0.9. And again, just like any software in the appStore, you can still have access to older versions after newer ones come out. If someone decides to stick with 10.0.9 for the time being, if they buy a new computer, they’ll still be able to download the latest version of 10.0 from their purchase history. And if a critical bug were found, Apple could still update 10.0”

What I meant to say was that I didn’t think there would be 2 different versions of FCPX on offer to choose from and on the price issue I had thought that a higher price would be justified as it will hopefully be a far more sophisticated programme but you are probably right to compare the situation to the Logic Pro to Logic Pro X scenario.

Either anyone with sense would not be actually purchasing FCPX right at the moment!

As pointed out in the thread above this one the rumour sites are predicting Nov 15th for the new MacPro so maybe we will have to wait for FCPX 10.1 until then as they seem to be pretty tied up together in terms of the publicity. – But to be honest speculation is speculation

[Mark Dobson]

[Walter Soyka] “I’d imagine it would. I’d also imagine the NLE formerly known as FCPX will become unavailable.”

I like it and in 5 years time we could have FCPXIV

[Marcus Moore]

Yeah. It’s a real tough call to make on timing.

On one hand you have 10.0.6 was released at this event last year. So there is precedent.

On the other hand you have any either technical or PR crossover with Mavericks and the MacPro.

And above all this is the question of whether FCPX 10.1 is ready. They may need until mid-Nov to be ready to launch. Who knows.

[Marcus Moore]

You are correct to a certain extent- but this is still the change from one major version number to the next.

You are right about the naming convention though. FCPX will be FCPX for at least a decade, or until whatever comes after 10.9. I suppose Apple could do what they have done with their iLife and iWork products and call the new version FCPX 2013.

And I’m doubtful that they’ll leave the current version up for sale, even if they meet separate system requirements. I think we can be pretty certain that 10.1 will likely have the same OS10.8.3 requirement as LogicProX. And they didn’t leave LogicPro9 up in the appStore for those who can’t run the new software, so I think that sends a clear message.

The new software will require a certain minimum OS and hardware, just like the last one did.

[Gary Huff]

[Walter Soyka] “We had operating systems named “Mac OS X 10.x” for more than a decade.”

Yeah, but I was explicitly referring to it’s appearance on the App Store. You didn’t click on the panel that read “Mac OS X 10.7”, it read “OSX Lion”. You don’t click on the listing for “Mac OS X 10.8” you click on the entry for “OSX Mountain Lion.”

It will be “OSX Mavericks” not “Mac OS X 10.9”.

[David Chapman]

Since the app page itself is labeled “Final Cut Pro X” and they will be maintaining that name (with no version numbers), it is entirely possible that all versions of 10.X will be free. While the description and terms does mention free upgrades not including 10.1, that was also written in 2011(?). Apple’s recent move to giving away iOS apps with new purchases makes me think they could continue with free upgrades, or at least including FCPX with the new Mac Pro.

I agree that it will be hard to distinguish Final Cut Pro X from Final Cut Pro X in a purchased tab in the Mac App Store. Unless the App Store is updated itself, or the 10.1 FCPX app gets a new icon (which neither seem realistic), 10.1 could continue to be free.

If it’s not free, I don’t know how they would solve some of the more complex issues with listing the software as a purchased item (10.0.9 vs 10.1). That alone makes me think 10.1 will provide us with a link that says “update” if we have 10.0.9 purchased and installed. Just my thoughts…

[Jeff Kirkland]

I’m sure there will only be one FCPX version for sale on the app store but we may see the same system the IOS App Store implemented with IOS 7 – if you have an older IOS device you are now told that the current version won’t run and are asked if you would like to download the last compatible version instead.

Jeff Kirkland | Video Producer | Southern Creative Media | Melbourne Australia
http://www.southerncreative.com.au | G+: https://gplus.to/jeffkirkland | Twitter: @jeffkirkland