Apple to Release Lion on USB in August
Lion is coming to a USB stick near you.
Apple this week launched the newest version of its OS X operating system, Lion. The software debuted in Apple's Mac App Store and has already racked up a million downloads. However, downloading is not your only option; Apple is also releasing the new iteration of its OS on USB stick next month.
Costing $69, it's a full $40 more than the $29 users are paying for the download. Why is Apple selling the OS on USB and charging more than double the price? We can't say for sure, but we're betting it's got something to do with the fact that OS X Lion is a rather hefty download (almost 4GB) and not everyone has the speed or bandwidth to download it. Still, that doesn't completely excuse charging so much extra (Apple does need to cover costs for materials, shipping, handling, etc., but it can't be that much). Considering the month between digital and USB release, it would seem Apple is doing its best to push people towards the Mac App Store.
If you've got slow internet or a cap on your bandwidth and can't afford to fork out $70 (or don't want to) for OS X Lion, you can always lug your computer down to the local Apple Store and use its internet for your digital download.

That's not too hard to figure out, is it?
The Appstore version only works for people who already have 10.6 Snow Leopard.
The USB version is also for people who still have 10.5 Leopard or 10.4 Tiger.
This is probably also meant to reduce piracy. Since Apple doesn't bother with license keys, you can probably install the USB version on any Mac you come across.
Because it is "APPLE"!
That's not too hard to figure out, is it?
The Appstore version only works for people who already have 10.6 Snow Leopard.
The USB version is also for people who still have 10.5 Leopard or 10.4 Tiger.
This is probably also meant to reduce piracy. Since Apple doesn't bother with license keys, you can probably install the USB version on any Mac you come across.
I downloaded it via app store for my wife and daughter's computers, but for people who want to keep a physical copy around, I don't think that is too much to ask for it.
I thumbed you down for being a Apple tool but if you want a copy of what you downloaded then:
Download Mac OS X Lion from the Mac App Store
From the Mac OS X Finder, locate the Mac OS X Installation file that was downloaded, right-click, and “Show Package Contents”
Find and open the “SharedSupport” folder and locate a disc image file called “InstallESD.dmg”
Copy “InstallESD.dmg” to your Mac OS X Desktop, this is the Lion disk image and what you’re going to create the bootable DVD from
Now launch Disk Utility (/Applications/Utilities/), pop in a blank DVD, select the “InstallESD.DMG” file, and click on “Burn”
I think they should have just make a DVD version and charge the same $40, and make the macbook air users download it. Is it really necessary for a company thats making $10-20 Billion profit/quarter cheap out of manufacturing DVDs?
It doesn't help with piract one bit. Theres already bootable ISO images for the installation. Hackers will always find a way.
Personally I would like the option for physical media to install any software. Not everyone around the world can get unlimited internet at a reasonable price. I stretch my bandwidth cap to the limit nearly every month at it is doing casual streaming and downloading, the more I can save at any moment the better. Giving choices to the consumer gives everyone equal satisfaction to all your fans.
I am amazed that apple users see the quarterly reports and see that they are being ripped off and continue to buy their products.
Yes hackers will always find a way. That's why Apple doesn't use any sort of copy protection that would only make the life of users more difficult.
The thing is that users can now no longer buy a physical copy for 30bucks and give it to all their friends. If they want that, they have to pay extra.
Microsoft has a higher profit margin than Apple (33% vs 25%) and yet people keep buying Windows and Office at monopoly prices.
...but the interface is slicker than I anticipated. I expected the iOS merge stuff to be stupid. ...but its not. It's pretty slick and they slickened up the UI...so I'll be glad when they get the kinks ironed out.
So if apple doesn't use keys and friends can just borrow a disk to install, whats the difference than for a usb drive?
The vast majority of people won't buy the USB drive if they can get the download version for less than half the price.
Pirating OS X is still easy. You can just extract the disk image from the downloaded installer package. (Also useful if you don't want to download OS X again and again for all your Macs)
Casual piracy ("Can u lend me your install disk?" "alright") has become more difficult though.