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April 11, 2008

software

MacHeist gets physical (and slips in a secret)

Posted Apr. 11, ’08, 9:09 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Software

MacHeistSoftware bundler MacHeist is getting ready to go where no software bundle has gone before—into the tangible realm. A flashy promotional video on the group’s site says that the software collection will be sold as a retail bundle in the near future.

The bundle itself will have iClip, CoverSutra, Awaken 4.0, Cha-Ching, Wallet, Xslimmer, DEVONthing Personal, Overflow, WriteRoom, Enigmo, Bugdom 2, and Nanosaur 2 all for $49.95, which will be available for sale tonight online and for the next month. After that, it will be available in stores, though what stores appear to still be in question (Apple Stores are a possibility, but the company has apparently not heard back yet).

But wait! What’s this? In their typical sneaky style, the MacHeist crew appears to have stashed a secret in the video. While playing the video, I noticed what looked to be a brief flash of text on the vault door (hit the picture above for a larger look). I went back and checked frame-by-frame until I found the hidden text. This yields the URL: http://www.call4mac.com/shop/couponguide.html and the number “47fa080d79809” “47fa080d78809”, which appears to be a coupon code for iSoftPhone, an iPhone OS X VoIP client (designed to look like an iPhone). I entered the number in their coupon field, but didn’t notice any immediate result (it does say you need to be a registered user in order to take advantage of discount codes). Or maybe I’m just not clever enough to figure out the mystery.

Update: Reader Scott says below that if you register on their site and enter the coupon code, you can snag yourself a free license for iSoftPhone. We have not tested: your mileage may vary.

Update 2: As several readers point out, I was one number off with the coupon code (hey, my vision’s only so good!). Updated with the correct number.

[via Infinite Loop]


8 Comments

Brad said:

If you want to further any conspiracy theories, it also looks like the box reflection on the table has different text than what is on the bottom of the box. Can't make it out though.

April 11, 2008 10:44 AM
Scott said:

I registered, clicked on the "Buy Now" button, and entered the code. The price reduces to $0. No CC info is needed. On the success page, there is a button at the bottom to retrieve your license code. That's important, as I have yet to receive any email hours later.

I haven't tried it out yet, but the promo does work.

Scott

April 11, 2008 11:22 AM
Brad said:

After looking at the video more and flipping the image, it looks like the reflection says "MacHeist Retail Bundle". Not nearly exciting as I had hoped for.

April 11, 2008 12:45 PM
Brad said:

After looking at the video more and flipping the image, it looks like the reflection says "MacHeist Retail Bundle". Not nearly exciting as I had hoped for.

April 11, 2008 5:50 PM
Patchoulol said:

You've got the wrong number. Here is the right one : 47fa080d78809

April 12, 2008 2:34 AM
Gauthier said:

It's not “47fa080d79809" but “47fa080d78809” ;)

April 12, 2008 3:15 AM
Paul H. said:

Hello,

the code above is not working, either at "Buy now" nor at "Get New License key" :-(

I get this error message:

"Coupon number you entered is not valid or you are not able to use it."

That was the first and last visit to that specific website for me. I'm not inteested in their products anymore ;-)

April 13, 2008 4:09 AM
Paul H. said:

Hello,

I've read a lot of comments in several weblogs and they are pretty evenly split between rejection and consent of thie idea behind the new MacHeist-Bundle.

That's my i searched the web for more and I found a German application developer with a very fair approach and perhaps this adds some new ideas to the heatedly discussion in the commentary sections?

Michael writes at http://myownapp.com/ this statement:

"Every MOApp Application works without licenses, serial number and activations. That sort of nonsense only punishes the honest among us.
For that reason, there are no 10/20/30 days demos of my small apps. But they will only store the data as long as the application is running.
After you've purchased the applications you fully own them, without limitation.
I know that this is a compromise - but I think it is a good one, much like DRM-free music. "

And I find his licensing and prices very fair:

"You purchase once and will get free updates as long as MOApp ist not dead. You can use MOApp Applications on any Mac you own. [...]
It is explicitly allowed:
· to translate and customize all MOApp Applications.
· to use MOApp Applications on any Mac you own.
· to transfer MOApp Applications if you do not use them any more.
It is explicitly not allowed:
· to share MOApp Applications you have paid for with others."

I would like to know, what do you think about this approach regarding the intense discussion about free- and shareware, independent developers and MacHeist, etc.?

I'm curious to hear from you :-)

April 13, 2008 6:51 AM

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