Comments on: Adobe flashes more looks at online Photoshop Express

At a sneak peek session, Adobe shows off Photoshop Express, a slick Web application that quickly makes changes to images.

[NickH]

What's the advantage of it being web-based?

I mean, what advantage to the end-user?

[rollcage]

Use it anywhere!

Probably the biggest advantage would be the ability to use it on any computer connected to the internet. A lot of the apps that we are used to using in a desktop environment will be moving toward web-based services in the coming years. It's allows the user to have the same working environment no matter where they are at and what computer they are using.

[dh619]

Bennefits Companies More Than Consumers

While portability will be a benefit to some consumers, it seems to me that hosting applications online is more of a move to control licensing and increase the profits of software vendors.

With online applications, users will have to login to a server and authenticate their rights to use the software with each use. This should, at least temporarily, hinder hackers from releasing cracked applications and distributing them freely.

Companies will also have the ability to license software on a subscription basis, rather than a buy once, use for life model. Imagine having to throw down a renewal fee every year rather than a one time buy.

This could prove to benefit consumers if they can pay a monthly or yearly fee that is lower than the cost to buy outright. Another option might be a pay per use model. If you need to use an app just once, why pay for lifetime rights to it.

One benefit to both parties is in the form of updates. Applications only need to be updated on the server side, saving the cost and time of distributing and notifying customers of updates, and allowing users to always have access to the latest versions of software.

[anole360]

Benefits?

The benefits? 1) Adobe doesn't have to ship you anything. 2)
They can charge you monthly or yearly fees for its use or for
"premium" versions. 3) they can target ads at you based on the
types of content you work on 4) it's a portal to selling you the
full $800 photoshop or the entire CS. 5) Staves off Microsoft
web domination.

Oh, sorry... you were probably asking about the benefits to end
users. 1) Flash applications are real purdy and so full of sizzle.
Oooh! Ahhh! 2) Works on any web browser (as long as it's IE 7 on
Vista.) ;-)

[dcsonka]

For real

If you can have something online or offline, I would choose online anyday of the week.

[NickH]

ok.

If that works for you, then more power to you. So, I guess the question is, why do online apps work better for you than offline ones?

[dh619]

Bennefits companies more than consumers

While portability will be a benefit to some consumers, it seems to me that hosting applications online is more of a move to control licensing and increase the profits of software vendors.

With online applications, users will have to login to a server and authenticate their rights to use the software with each use. This should, at least temporarily, hinder hackers from releasing cracked applications and distributing them freely.

Companies will also have the ability to license software on a subscription basis, rather than a buy once, use for life model. Imagine having to throw down a renewal fee every year rather than a one time buy.

This could prove to benefit consumers if they can pay a monthly or yearly fee that is lower than the cost to buy outright. Another option might be a pay per use model. If you need to use an app just once, why pay for lifetime rights to it.

One benefit to both parties is in the form of updates. Applications only need to be updated on the server side, saving the cost and time of distributing and notifying customers of updates, and allowing users to always have access to the latest versions of software.

[xcgeek]

Has potential

Fix Red-eye, blemishes, sepia - ahhh. If I see one more product that thinks these are FEATURES...
Every (offline) product for the past 8 years can do this. There has to be VALUE to the consumer if they are going to use this. It will only work if it can beat facebook/flickr/picasa at all the other stuff like uploading, sharing, social networking, print ordering, etc. People don't want to use different products, they want a one-product does all suite, easy, fast, and FREE.

[dunn3r-2k8]

eoin-2k8