Lilbits: Apple's new Final Cut Pro & Logic Pro subscription, Game Boy-like controllers for smartphones, and another new keyboard phone

Apple has launched Apple Creator Studio, a subscription bundle targeting creative professionals that includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Pixelmator Pro, plus AI features and premium content for Keynote, Pages, Numbers, and Freeform. Available January 28, the service costs $13/month or $129/year—significantly undercutting Adobe Creative Cloud's $105/month pricing. Crucially, Apple maintains perpetual licensing options, allowing users to purchase standalone apps without subscription commitments.

Key differences from Adobe's model

• Cost structure: Buying Final Cut Pro ($300), Logic Pro ($300), Motion ($50), and Pixelmator Pro ($50) outright totals $600. The subscription becomes cost-effective after approximately 4.5 years compared to perpetual licenses.
• Upgrade flexibility: Subscription users receive continuous updates, while perpetual license holders face upgrade fees for major new versions.
• Platform constraints: Unlike Adobe's cross-platform approach, Apple's suite remains macOS/iOS exclusive, reflecting Apple's ecosystem strategy.

This hybrid model offers flexibility: Professionals needing regular updates benefit from subscription savings, while users preferring long-term stability can avoid recurring fees. However, hardware compatibility risks persist—older macOS versions may lose support over time.

Additional tech highlights

Retro controllers for mobile gaming New telescopic controllers mimicking Nintendo's Game Boy design provide physical controls for smartphone gaming. Devices like the Razer Kishi V2 offer low-latency gameplay via USB-C/Lightning, transforming phones into handheld consoles for emulators and cloud gaming services.

Keyboard phone resurgence The Titan Pocket Slim, unveiled at CES 2024, continues the physical keyboard trend with a BlackBerry-inspired design. Featuring a 3.1-inch display, Snapdragon 662 processor, and Android 11, it caters to users prioritizing typing efficiency over touchscreens. Pre-orders start at $299 via Unihertz.

Why these developments matter

• Creative software: Apple's pricing pressures Adobe while providing flexible monetization options.
• Mobile accessories: Dedicated controllers validate mobile gaming as a core use case.
• Niche hardware: Keyboard phones demonstrate enduring demand for alternative form factors.

These innovations highlight how companies are diversifying approaches to professional tools and mobile experiences, offering users more tailored solutions across productivity, creativity, and entertainment domains.