Apple has released Apple Remote Desktop 3.4, its tool for managing networked Macs remotely. Apple Remote Desktop Client updates Remote Management (in System Preferences > Sharing), and Apple Remote Desktop Admin updates the tool for remote administration itself. New in this release is support for the Mac App Store and a Dashboard widget that gives you an at-a-glance view of the remote Macs that you manage; click any one to start working with it in Remote Desktop Admin. (If the Dashboard widget says “Missing Plugin” when you install it in Dashboard, try restarting again.) The software requires Mac OS X or Mac OS X Server 10.4.11 or 10.5.7, or any later version. It also updates only specific versions of Apple Remote Desktop 3.x, meaning that it’s probably easiest to let Software Update download it for you. ($79.99 new, free update, 4.25 MB)
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Adam C. Engst
Apple Remote Desktop 3.4
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Why does Apple still list the 3.3 version for $299 and $499 on the Apple web site? I see they suggest all users of Remote Desktop upgrade to 3.4 I would really be ticked off if I had just paid $499 and it was now available on the app store for under $80.
This is a really good question, and I have a query in to Apple PR to find out. It's possible there are different numbers of managed systems allowed with the Mac App Store version, or that they simply haven't changed the main Apple Remote Desktop page to reflect new pricing in general.
I called Apple re ARD 3.3 vs. ARD 3.4. Got bounced around from business sales to appstore sales and both had no idea how many licences the $80 3.4 version had, then forwarded me to support where I had to convince the guy that ARD 3.4 sells for $80 on the appstore site vs. the apple.com/store site - finally tech said he doesn't know why 3.4 is so low in price. So I bought the $80 3.4 version and it works great. Take advantage and buy it now before someone at Apple figures something out.
The 3.4 version from the Mac App Store is unlimited. They did the same thing with Aperture 3.0 - which normally sells for hundreds of dollars but only $79 in the Mac App Store. Enjoy!
That's good news. Apple PR said they were getting back to me, but then never did, despite multiple queries.