from C|Net News
By Candace Lombardi
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Aside from adding new features, Apple Computer has dropped the price of its video compositing and effects software by more
than 80 percent. The new version, Shake 4.1, will be priced at $499 as opposed to $2,999. Shake 4.1 is used in conjunction
with Final Cut Studio, Apple’s video and audio editing suite. Shake is known for being used by the visual effects supervisors
of “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” which won an Oscar for its visual effects in 2004. But the significant
price drop indicates a change in accessibility for independent filmmakers and film students.
As with other software programs released in universal version, Apple is requiring current Shake 4 owners to pay $49 for
what it calls a “crossgrade”–an upgrade that makes the software compatible with Intel-based Macs. In March Apple shipped the
first universal version of Final Cut Studio for $1,299 with a “crossgrade” fee between $99 and $699, depending on the
previous version owned. On some occasions, Apple has waived the crossgrade fee for certain applications. In April, Apple cut
the price for Aperture, its photo work-flow management software, from $499 to $299. The crossgrade fee for Aperture universal
had been waived in January.
http://news.com.com/Apple+drops+Shake+price+drastically/2110-1026_3-6085716.html?tag=nefd.hed
