iLife '06 packaging: Hot or not?

The Packaging for 05 was great. Perfect for the times with its mid-century modern/moddish look. The new packaging is nice (and will probably appeal to a broader audience but it doesnt have anywhere near the style 05 had. And to #1...gay? Yeah I know what you mean but it would be nice to find another way to say it. Plenty of us homos read tuaw too.

I just got a hold of iLife '06 today. I was kind of surprised at how small the box is, but it's about the same size as the box for my iPod Dock, so it doesn't look too strange on the shelf.

I noticed that the lid doesn't want to stay shut after you open it, but all you have to do is pinch along the hinge of the lid and it will stay closed just fine.

I do like the design on the front more than the '05 deign, but I am more interested about how the software works than how the box looks!

I really liked the iLife '05 packaging, it was a great graphical design, but maybe too avant garde to last. iLife '06 tells more about what the software doesthe former used small icons that tended to disappear in the designand it's colorful strip is attractive. I also like that the package is about the size of a CD, I've always hated the larger boxes that are mostly empty space and a little bit of cardboard that has always been de riguer in software packaging.

You know, I actually like iLife. Keynote is better than powerpoint, and I just happen to like pages better than word.

However, I can't seem to find any way to interpreate .pages or ,keynote files on windows. Can't apple use an open format, or even better, and write some kind of "Preview" program for windows?

I personally, loved last year's boxes. But the new one's are much, much smarter. Serious Mac users aren't going to be upgrading based on packaging. They will upgrade either "just because it's the new thing" or based on features. Packaging is designed to appeal to people who are buying in Apple Stores or CompUSA. And that means casual users and Windows switchers. And with switchers, the biggest drawback to a Mac is that it seems like a toy -- a less than professional or serious machine. The new packaging says "productive AND creative." Last year's was fun and creative, but did nothing to assuage the fears of a switcher.
Also, the smaller footprint is nice because it seems innovative, but also because Apple Stores have limited space, so it allows them to keep more copies on hand and on display throughout the store. The only reason everyone else still does big packaging is to keep from being overwhelmed by the competition at Best Buy. And that isn't a concern for Apple.

The new '06 box is kinda cheap,just like the new ipod one..the unwrapping origami experience is gone!
too bad.

I always throw the boxes away anyway

In terms of size its a great improvement in that it's basically the size of the product it contains as opposed to coming with a few litres of air as most software does. In terms of artwork and graphics - meh, I can take it or leave it. The flaps though are annoying, once you take off the taped seal there is a concertina like fold which just keeps popping it open, I've retaped mine shut and stuck it away but still. I like the little tabbed tray to pull everything out though.

I know one group of mac "fans" that are a little disappointed with the new packaging - Apple store employees!
Basically, the boxes continually fall off the shelves. The seams for the shrink wrapping could be contributing to this, the obviuos problem is that the new packaging is "front heavy".
I'm all for being environmentally concious, but a couple extra pieces of carboard probably could have fixed that problem. Either by making the packaging deeper or just using a spacer to keep the contents towards the back of the box.

Who cares what the packaging looks like? Geez. It's what's inside. I really like iLife'06, I bought my copy the day after it was released. But I think everybody is taking this a little too far when the topic is what the box looks like. Are we going to see posts that review the iMac & Mac Book Pro boxes also?