So apple is about to launch its new Creator Studio, essentially a bundle of existing content creation apps (eg. Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Final Cut) now flogged under a subscription model.

So instead of paying a one-off price for these apps (some, such as Pages, are currently free), you will need to pay a recurring (and subject to change) subscription for the whole bundle. The subscription will cost $12.99 USD per month or $129 USD per year, with a free one-month trial.

Apple assures us that the current individual versions will remain available and will continue to be updated.

HATE is a strong word.
But I hate this subscription model that encapsulates the enshittification of major digital platforms. Kindle, Apple Music, Spotify, Photoshop, Lightroom….and on and on. You can no longer own an application, you can no longer own the content it offers. You have to rent it.

The big tech oligarchs want an always on conduit to siphon your cash. And they want to embed this conduit into your life.

The good news is that you can subvert this madness. There are plenty of free (and open-source) alternatives to these apps. They may not offer quite the same functionality (although many are close), and they may look a little less shiny… but they will get the job done.

I am in the process of dumping Pages and have downloaded the Libre Office suite (replacing Pages, Keynote, Numbers etc). Honestly, once you get used to the slightly retro design….it works brilliantly.