[jimr9@suddenlink.net]

Two weeks ago I finally decided to upgrade my iLife applications and went to the Apple Store to purchase iLife '06. When the software arrived and I finished installing it, I receive notification that iLife '08 is available. Called Apple Store again to ask why they didn't tell me an upgrade was coming within a week. Their reply was that they didn't know it was coming! I worked in the software development industry for 25 years and know that things like this DO NOT HAPPEN. If I want the features in iLife '08, I now must pay full price for another upgrade ($79). iLife is a good bargain at $79, but there is a principle involved here and being forced to pay for the same product twice within a two week period is a shameful rip-off, no matter how you look at it. The bottom line is if I want iLife '08 it is going to cost me $158, and that is not a good bargain.

[rickey939]

Yeah, that's unfortunate; however, you went to purchase iLife '06 a few weeks ago for a reason, correct? If iLife '08 wasn't announced, you would be happy with the features of iLife '06 from the predecessors you were using, right?

[mpancha]

rickey939 >> true as that may be, the fact is a new version came out, he doesn't have to be happy with the now outdated version he has purchased 2 weeks ago.


jimr9 >> I know if you purchase a new Mac that came with iLife 06, you're entitled to a free (plus S&H) copy of iLife 08. The same might apply for the copy of iLife 06 that you bought.

Sadly this is how Apple does things, there is no forewarning of new products. They announce them, and generally if its hardware, you have 2 weeks to exchange if you're unhappy with the purchase.

I don't know their policy with software, honestly the first Apple software I've purchased is iLife and iWork 08, everything else has always come preinstalled with my hardware, or is third party. Keep going back, you'll eventually run across someone at the Apple store who can actually help you. Chances are they won't in this case, but keep trying is all I can suggest.

ETA: Easy upgrade for new iLife 06 users? - Mac Forums , read through that thread on the Mac Rumors forum. A few people suggested calling Apple support and asking, and if the CSR says no, ask for a supervisor. Beats driving to a physical store I suppose.

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by jimr9@suddenlink.net 

Called Apple Store again to ask why they didn't tell me an upgrade was coming within a week. Their reply was that they didn't know it was coming! I worked in the software development industry for 25 years and know that things like this DO NOT HAPPEN.

Apple does not tell their Apple Store employees when new releases are coming. So, what the employee said is true. They only find out when they receive a shipment usually within a day or two of the release or on the same day of the release.

Apple is a very secretive company and this applies to their own stores.

[BRussell]

That's too bad. I'd pursue it - write a nice, polite email to Apple, and ask for a discount on iLife '08. Don't demand it, because they have no obligation to let you have it. But ask for it, and they may give it to you.

[Eriamjh]

Try to sell iLife 06 on eBay and cut your losses.
Remember that iMovie 08 sucks, iWeb 2 has much farther to go to really be useful, iPhoto 08 is still just for photos, and that little has changed (if anything) to iDVD.

Worst
Update
Ever

[moonmonkey]

but Jobs said it was the best update ever!

[rickey939]

Originally Posted by Eriamjh 

...Remember...

I've already forgotten what you said.

[CharlesS]

Frankly, iLife '08 looks like a massive downgrade from where I sit.

If I didn't have a working copy of iLife at this point and needed to buy one at this time, I'd probably be looking for a copy of '06 on eBay.

I'd hang on to '06, and enjoy it. If '09 or '10 fixes the shortcomings of '08, then that might be a good time to upgrade.

[Teacher617]

I would recommend using iLife 06 before purchasing iLife 08, especially if you want to make movies. iMovie 08 is a downgrade, although you may well enjoy the features that the new iPhoto provides. Before spending your money, you might consider checking out what you have now.

[MacosNerd]

I like the additions to iweb though I think they didn't go as far as they should have but its a nice improvement. I use aperture so iphoto isn't being used much and I've yet to get my feet wet with this version of imovie. I give iLife 08 a meh, not bad but not great

[JoshuaZ]

As someone who uses iMovie at least once a week for small projects, and every once in a while for big projects, I think I'll have to learn how to use Final Cut Express. iMovie, while good for maybe my mother, sucks for doing anything besides the ultra basic. Heck, it won't even play nice with the saved projects I have made. I be sad.

On that note, I'll go and download myself a copy of iMovie 06. Available on Apple's support page as a free download for iLife 08 users. Even apple knows iMovie 08 was a downgrade.