[Robo]

Yep, it's that time of year again. Apple has once again revamped the iApp aesthetic, abandoning last year's unique "abstract" designs in favor of more traditional packaging.

They also redesigned the .mac and GarageBand JamPack themes.

Personally, I prefer last year's iLife and iWork themes. They stood out from any other software packaging: most software packaging has a rigid, "square" appearance, but the iLife and iWork look was much more organic and artistic. And now it's gone.

The look is also a more "clutterred," especially in the case of .mac's new packaging. I know, they probably wanted to demonstrate more clearly that .mac was "Your life on the internet," but did they have to have so much stuff orbiting the .mac "planet"? Part of me likes it, but part of me wishes for the original .mac sphere back, even though it doesn't give you any idea what .mac actually does.

The new iLife, iWork, .mac and JamPack boxes are smaller, too. I guess that's interesting. And at least the price didn't go up again.

But I really liked last year's theme, and I'm kinda bummed it's gone.

And as an interesting endnote, iTunes is no longer part of iLife. That makes sense...it was the only free iLife program, and it was the only iLife program for Windows...

What do you all think? Do you guys like the new look?

[Blue Light Bandit]

Originally Posted by Roboman Personally, I prefer last year's iLife and iWork themes. They stood out from any other software packaging: most software packaging has a rigid, "square" appearance, but the iLife and iWork look was much more organic and artistic. And now it's gone.

"Mom and Pop" don't want artistic software; they want something they can understand and feel will be reliable. This is probably an appeal to broader audiences; in the case of iWork, it may make people more comfortable with it as "serious" alternative to MS Office.

Originally Posted by Roboman The new iLife, iWork, .mac and JamPack boxes are smaller, too. I guess that's interesting.

I'm all for smaller packaging. It reduces garbage and lowers shipping costs. My dream would be to have in-store software sold in slim envelopes like the Mac OS X Public Beta used.

I support the new look.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by Blue Light Bandit This is probably an appeal to broader audiences...

That's actually what I think 2006 will be about for Apple. The move to Intel might not be as significant as the change in Apple's mindset this year - 2006 might be the year Apple, encouraged by their success with the iPod, finally takes the Mac to the masses.

Some of the changes we might not like - the death of a favorite brand, for instance - but I'm willing to bet it's all part of a carefully orchestrated attempt to make the Mac "ready" for the masses.

Names like "Powerbook" and "iBook" make sense to the Mac faithful, but to those new to the platform, "MacBook" and "MacBook Pro" make more sense.

(I'm actually warming up to "MacBook Pro" by the way...no, it doesn't sound as good as "Powerbook," but once it is part of a complete line - MacBook, MacBook Pro, and maybe MacBook mini - I think it will sound more natural).

Even moreso than the Intel transition, I'm hoping 2006 will be about making Macs not just for the technological elite and more for the average user.

[psmith2.0]

I love the new graphics/packaging. ESPECIALLY the .Mac "Saturn rings".

It all looks nice to me.

[morningstarrising]

Yeah the "Saturn rings" is a nice touch and actually says that .Mac is more then just email and storage, and connected with the new iLife packaging.

I like the iLife'06 tag: Music. Photos. Music. Blogs. But I do miss the "Life tree" from last year.

I also like the smaller boxes. The reshuffle Jampacks is good, because I don;t think I had the money for 5 $99.00 expansions.

Besides, Jampack 5 is much more detail in "world music" then Jampack 1 was(Jampack 1 was more of a buffet of the other jampacks).

[shell]

I have no feelings one way or the other about the new iLife packaging, but am overjoyed about iWork. Last year's theme made the app seem like a toy, but this one showcases that it's useful for doing real work.

[flounder]

I like the new iLife packaging, although I liked the '05 packaging too. I actually really like the jampacks packaging, it just makes me want to buy them!

Not a fan of the .Mac package. Way too busy in my opinion.

[BlueRabbit]

I got iWork yesterday, and the box is really small. It's barely larger than the DVD itself. Inside the box, there's software coupons, manuals for Pages and Keynote, serial numbers, and the DVD; all inside a removeable cardboard holder thing. IMO, it's a lot better packaging than iWork '05, since it's a lot more compact.

[morningstarrising]

Yeah iLife'06 is the same. I like the smaller packages, the whole big box days of computer software is done, and better for recycling.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by pscates2.0 I love the new graphics/packaging. ESPECIALLY the .Mac "Saturn rings". It all looks nice to me.

I do dig the "Saturn rings," but I wish Apple could have had a bit less "clutter" on the box. Like, just the Saturn rings or something. The Saturn rings are nice, but we don't need Saturn moons, Saturn asteroids, the waste of Saturn's space program...

[psmith2.0]

I also like the trend of smaller software boxes. I guess, 5-10 years ago before built-in, online help and Internet connecting with the company were popular, you'd have about 10 pounds of manuals (I remember buying Illustrator 5.0 and later versions, all coming in a HUGE box with 1" thick manuals, tons of paperwork, etc.).

But now that's rarely the case (printed documentation), so it's nice to see these small boxes. The photo of the box itself (iLife 06 and iWork 06) on Apple's site makes it tough to realize how small they are. Glad to know they're little.

My Mom is returning from a few days in Nashville, where she was kind enough to pick up a copy of iLife 06 for me at the Green Hills Mall Apple Store (thereby saving ME a drive to Atlanta or having to order online and wait until mid-week delivery). Hopefully I'll have it installed by this afternoon/evening, depending on when she comes back...

[Robo]

Congrats!

I have exactly enough money to buy iLife '06, but I'm not sure I will.

What I'm really trying to decide is whether to buy the current version of FCE, or if I could wait until March for the new one...

[LudwigVan]

In line with the theme of this thread, John Gruber has written a charming piece on his Daring Fireball site about brushed metal.

[scratt]

Originally Posted by LudwigVan In line with the theme of this thread, John Gruber has written a charming piece on his Daring Fireball site about brushed metal.

Grr! Beat me to it!

It's great little piece isn't it?

[Blue Light Bandit]

Yeah, except the theme of the thread thus far had been about the physical packaging... but hey, whatever floats yer boat.

[morningstarrising]

(click for bigger)

Good times, good times...BTW, I used my "New iBook" money on this.