Apple moving towards Intel-only apps and software

Apple has been touting the universal “logo” for years, and promised to support both Intel and PowerPC during the (quite long) transition to Intel. However, the end of this transition may be near, as evidence of Apple moving to Intel-only software is clearly appearing.

Within iLife ’09, and more specifically GarageBand ’09, the Artist Lessons/Learn to Play feature seems to require an “Intel-based Mac with a dual-core processor or better.” Not only is this cutting PowerPC users out of the loop, but Apple is also cutting the (early) single-core Intel Macs out of the loop. Learn to Play is quite a prominent feature of GarageBand ’09, and in itself encourages users to take out their wallets and upgrade. Lessons go for $4.99 each, and are available from an Artist Lessons store.

iLife ’08 cut out support for G4 Macs in iMovie ’08, supporting Intel Macs and G5 processors. This seems to be a continuing trend, with Apple constantly cutting support for PowerPC, encouraging a switch to intel.

Product [iLife '09] Via [Ars Technica]