Apple initiates mass discontinuation of boxed retail software

By Katie Marsal

Further emphasizing the Mac App Store as the preferred place to get new software for Mac OS X, Apple on Wednesday discontinued a slew of boxed software products.

Virtually all of Apple's retail software was declared "end of life" on Wednesday in a notification sent to resellers. Products that will no longer be available in a boxed form include 'iWork '09, Aperture 3, iLife '11, Apple Remote Desktop, and various Jam Packs for GarageBand.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the launch of the Mac App Store had hastened Apple's plans to cease the sale of boxed software in the company's retail stores. It was said that boxed software takes up a large amount of shelf space in the company's retail stores, and software is less profitable than devices like the iPhone or iPad.

Apple also moved this year to drastically reduce the number of games made available at its stores, whittling the number down from 32 to 8. Customers are instead advised that they can download titles for Mac OS X from the Mac App Store.

Apple also cut some products from its stores to clear shelf space, including printers and scanners. But unlike the software, which has been removed completely, the hardware options are available for sale if a customer requests them.

The full list of applications declared "end of life" by Apple on Wednesday to resellers is included below:

MC171 Apple Remote Desktop 3.3 10 Managed Systems

MC172 Apple Remote Desktop 3.3 Unlimited Managed Systems

D4222 Xsan 2 VL 10+

D4223 Xsan 2 VL 10+ EDU INST

MC186 Xsan 2 Single License

MC189 Xsan 2 Media Set

D2977 Xsan 2 MAINT 36 MOS SINGLE

D3132 Xsan 2 MAINT 36 MOS SINGLE EDU INST

D2966 Xsan 2 MAINT 36 MOS 10+

D3133 Xsan 2 MAINT 36 MOS 10+ EDU INST

MB957 Aperture 3 Retail

MC455 Aperture 3 ZU Retail

MB959 Aperture 3 Upgrade

MC456 Aperture 3 ZU Upgrade

D4855 APERTURE 3 TRIAL ACTIV KEY RETAIL

D4857 APERTURE 3 TRIAL UPGRADE ACTIV KEY

MC623 iLife '11 Retail

MC625 iLife '11 Family Pack

MA371 Jam Pack : Remix Tools Retail

MA374 Jam Pack : Remix Tools Media Set

D3057 Jam Pack : Remix Tools VL 10-99 EDU

D3059 Jam Pack : Remix Tools VL 100-999 EDU

D3061 Jam Pack : Remix Tools VL 1000+ EDU

MA375 Jam Pack : Rhythm Section Retail

MA378 Jam Pack : Rhythm Section Media Set

D3063 Jam Pack : Rhythm Section VL 10-99 EDU

D3065 Jam Pack : Rhythm Section VL 100-999 EDU

D3067 Jam Pack : Rhythm Section VL 1000+ EDU

MA319 Jam Pack : Symphony Orchestra Retail

MA322 Jam Pack : Symphony Media Set

D3264 Jam Pack : Symphony Orchestra VL 10-99 EDU

D3265 Jam Pack : Symphony Orchestra VL 100-999 EDU

D3266 Jam Pack : Symphony Orchestra VL 1000+ EDU

MA211 Jam Pack : World Music Retail

D3545 Jam Pack : World Music VL 10-99 EDU

D3546 Jam Pack : World Music VL 100-999 EDU

D3547 Jam Pack : World Music VL 1000+ EDU

MA214 Jam Pack : World Music Media Set

MA990 Jam Pack : Voices

D4180 Jam Pack : Voices VL 10-99 EDU

D4181 Jam Pack : Voices VL 100-999 EDU

D4182 Jam Pack : Voices VL 1000+ EDU

MA993 Jam Pack : Voices Media Set

MB942 iWork '09 Retail

MB943 iWork '09 Family Pack

D4831 iWork '09 Retail Activation Key

D4898 iWork '09 Family Pack Activation Key