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Microsoft Buying Adobe?

uk.reuters.com

181–190 of 226 posts

Re: Microsoft Buying Adobe?

#181
post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Think of what great software activation schemes they will make!

And the updates! The glorious, unending stream of modal software-update dialogs!

Imagine the combined security vulnerabilities! A never-ending stream of patches!

Re: Microsoft Buying Adobe?

#182
This would be the final end of the desktop application. Adobe is the last remaining large independent maker of mass-market desktop applications. Everyone else has been crushed between the web, Microsoft and open source.

Re: Microsoft Buying Adobe?

#184
post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Think of what great software activation schemes they will make!

And the updates! The glorious, unending stream of modal software-update dialogs!

Funny story ... Adobe shipped a broken update manager with CS4.

Then to patch people's computers, they relied on notifications given when visiting websites like ... http://community.adobe.com/help/

It required users to manually download and install a patch :)

Re: Microsoft Buying Adobe?

#185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Look on the bright side- it doesn't yet melt your CPU. Under MS's guiding hand, I'm sure it would figure out how.

I just don't get that. It's not like MS have the superior computer scientists and the rest of us are little children. Adobe has the money to pay people to solve those problems. The Flash situation on Mac and Linux is just ridiculous.

Yes, but Adobe obviously elects not to pay people to solve those problems. The question, then, becomes 'why'.

Re: Microsoft Buying Adobe?

#186
post #99
post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I assume that Microsoft is making some money on Office for Mac. They aren't developing that product for charity. I don't see any reason for them to kill off development for the Mac, especially if they acquire Adobe. Microsoft could use some help in the mobile market, though, so I can believe the idea of those two companies joining forces to make some headway there.

Vendor lock-in isn't as crucial to Adobe's CS as it is to Office. Microsoft doesn't want anybody to even think that there's such a thing as an "Office alternative", whereas recent years have proven that upstart competitors to components of CS can get traction. So, while killing CS for Mac might work (users switching platforms might outnumber users switching programs), killing Office for Mac would just force universit…

      killing Office for Mac
IMHO that would be a catastrophe for Apple: the existence of MS Office being the only reason Mac OS X (and not Linux) is an accepted alternative for employees inside many companies (including at Adobe btw).

Sorry, but CS is niche software used by certain professionals. MS Office / Exchange are used by everybody else ;)

And I wouldn't bet against Microsoft for providing an alternative to CS: judging from the experience of using Microsoft Blend, they are rookies, but they can manage it.

Re: Microsoft Buying Adobe?

#187
post #2

I've often wondered why Apple doesn't buy Adobe, kill all development for PCs, and leave Microsoft high and dry in the creative market. Just saying...

Actually there have been internal talks / rumors about the possibility of Apple buying Adobe (1-2 years ago): guess it didn't work out.

Re: Microsoft Buying Adobe?

#188
post #83
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if Microsoft is thinking the same thing. Either as a defensive move to make sure Photoshop will always work on Windows or as an offensive move and making Photoshop and friends windows only in an attempt to strangle the OS X platform.

Apple has been able to create pro level software for both audio and video editing industries. If Adobe/Microsoft scraped its mac line of products, I bet Apple would have a competing product out in 12 months that graphic designers would flock to.

I was under the impression that it's nearly impossible to compete with adobe in this market because they've patented all important algorithms.

Re: Microsoft Buying Adobe?

#189
post #170

Jokes aside, it makes perfect sense for both of them. Adobe's CS and Microsoft Office are naturally self-complementing desktop giants. Both companies make a ton of money selling desktop software to the enterprise, yet outside of Flash/Sliverlight battle they don't cross each other paths. I, for one, welcome this development. It brings some hopes for better performing Flash, which I hate with a passion but its a fact…

"yet outside of Flash/Sliverlight battle they don't cross each other paths" - what about Microsoft's Expression Studio and similar Adobe products?

Technically they cross but only in the way MS Office crosses paths with Apple's iWork - that is one utterly runs the other one down.

Hardly anyone is paying for Expression Studio in the way they are for Adobe CS. The people using it are doing so because it was bundled.

Re: Microsoft Buying Adobe?

#190

This would be the final end of the desktop application. Adobe is the last remaining large independent maker of mass-market desktop applications. Everyone else has been crushed between the web, Microsoft and open source.

Except for everyone else who still makes programs for people who create things which aren't just code or the written word... Audio, video, 3D, print and web visual design are all still done on the desktop, and only a slice of that is controlled by Adobe.
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