Confirmed: Adobe phasing out software boxes for Creative Suites

Digital killed the box star! Tech Hive and The Verge have confirmed with Adobe that indeed the company is planning to phase out the sale of the Creative Suites in software boxes you can buy in-store or online. The software will continue to be available as a digital download.

Some could speculate that this is another step into nudging more and more people towards the Creative Cloud subscriptions. Others will point out that this is merely another manifestation of the move to digital and Adobe could/would have done this regardless of the Creative Cloud.

One thing is for certain, the number of stores selling digital downloads of Creative software is a lot smaller than the number of stores selling physical copies. Most people don't consider buying downloadable software at brick and mortar stores, although brick and mortar stores can sell donwloadable keys/licenses and the consumer can download the software when they go back to the home/office/studio/cave.

Only a small number of retailers are currently offering direct digital downloads of the Creative Suites such as Adobe's own online store and Amazon herself.

You have to consult with the Antiques Roadshow, but perhaps those beautiful+ugly colorful Adobe software boxes may become a collectible item in the future :)