September 22nd, 2008
Adobe launches Creative Suite 4; Likely to top low expectations
Adobe on Tuesday launched Creative Suite 4 and finds itself in the enviable position of having a big release facing low expectations.
In other words, Creative Suite 4–a package that includes all the tools to design and develop print, Web and interactive content–is likely to make Adobe look good (Techmeme). Indeed, expectations for Creative Suite 4 sales are low amid 
macroeconomic worries. However, Adobe on its most recent earnings call sounded confident about its prospects. If Creative Suite 4 performs better than expected Wall Street types may be scrambling to raise estimates.
See reviews: Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended; Production Premium and Master Collection.
Adobe said in numerous statements that Creative Suite 4 (CS4) will provide “workflow breakthroughs.” That’s short hand for saying that Adobe will bridge the designer-developer gap. For example, Sun is gunning for Adobe, but is coming at it from a developer perspective. Adobe’s core strength is with designers.
Adobe will offer numerous flavors of CS4 including editions for Design, Web, Production Premium and Master Collection. Individually, Adobe rolled out the latest editions of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Flash Professional and Dreamweaver among others.
The company added that it is layering in Web services such as ConnectNow, which allows designers and developers to collaborate. Adobe said that it would ship CS4 next month with prices ranging from $1,699 to $2,499.
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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