PhotoShop Reloaded

From CreativePro.com:

...I was surprised to learn that Adobe plans to make a free version of Photoshop available online within the next six months. Does that mean you can pocket that chunk of cash you set aside for Photoshop CS3?

The answer is not yet. Read on:

I predict that we creative pros will be using the desktop version of Photoshop for years to come, but we should keep an eye on its online development. Adobe hints at that evolution in this blog post from its public relations team: "Bringing Photoshop technology online would simply be an extension of our strategy to deliver the right Photoshop for Adobe's diverse user base. And by Photoshop 'branded' we don't mean the professional version of Photoshop -- at least not initially. A Photoshop technology online offering would at first, most likely, be targeted at the consumer market."

In other words, the future is coming.

Then in their weekly newsletter, CreativePro covered the announcement of PhotoShop Extended. What the heck is that? Here's what they had to say:

Photoshop Extended CS3 will have everything that's in Photoshop CS3, plus lots of new tools for people in film, video, and multimedia, and for designers using 3D and motion. (Doctors, scientists, and engineers will also benefit, but they'll have to read about features aimed at them in their own newsletters.)

Like Photoshop CS3, Extended will have non-destructive filters, better selection tools, easier conversions from color to grayscale, and more powerful alignment options. Extended ventures into new territory with its ability to edit and render 3D content, which you can add to 2D compositions. You can also paint and clone over video frames. You'll be able to export animations in several formats, including QuickTime, MPEG-4, and Adobe Flash Video.

Adobe's mum on Extended's price until the official Creative Suite 3 announcement on March 27. Stay tuned to creativepro.com and this newsletter for much more information on all the new applications then.

Seems like Adobe's trying to find new ways to use their products to generate more revenue. Going online is a new approach, but they could make the same mistake as many dot-com's and not have a business plan behind it. Making a "pro" version so they can charge more is an old school trick. I wish companies wouldn't do that. It's silly to make arbitrary distinctions, and becomes a difficult game to play as your so called "low end" version starts to get functionality close to the high end. That's what happened with AfterEffects. They used to have a high end version that cost almost twice as much as the standard one. Only time will tell which strategy or strategies will pan out.