MacApper Interview: Phill Ryu on the MacHeist Retail Bundle

Posted by Greg Healy on 04/10/08 in Featured, Interviews

From the folks who brought you MacHeist and MyDreamApp, comes another software bundle titled the “MacHeist Retail Bundle.” This bundle contains 12 applications at a price of $49. The bundle will not only be on sale online, but there will also be a boxed version available in stores. Each license is full and “uncrippled.”

If you participated in MacHeist I and II you have seen these apps before, but they are now back, updated and ready to go. I had a chance to sit down with Phill (well, sit down over the internet) and ask him a few questions about this latest project.

MA: Hi Phill, glad you could join us.

PR: Yeah, my pleasure.

MA: So your mixing up the Mac Software scene once again with the MacHeist Retail Bundle. Tell us a little about that.

PR: Well, we always seem to get swamped with emails after each MacHeist bundle asking when it’ll return, and we felt having a nice bundle available throughout the year would be a good idea. It’s really a great introduction to Mac shareware, and we feel it’ll do great in stores, especially for switchers. Really, this is about reaching a wider audience, and I think this package of software will go a long way in helping us do that.

Vault

MA: What apps have you put together for inclusion in this bundle?

Update: App list updated.

PR:

iClip (Inventive)
CoverSutra (Sophiestication Software)
Awaken 4.0 (Embraceware Software Inc.)
Cha-Ching (Midnight Apps)
Overflow (Stunt Software)
Xslimmer (LateNiteSoft)
DEVONthink Personal (DEVONtechnologies, LLC)
Wallet (Waterfall Software)
WriteRoom (Hog Bay Software)
Enigmo, Bugdom 2, Nanosaur 2 (Pangea Software, Inc.)

MA: How long have you been planning this bundle?

PR: I think I started talking to developers about this nearly a year ago, but it was after MacHeist 2 that I really started working on getting everything together. All in all though, we put this together fairly quickly… It helped that much of the sale’s mechanics are already in place.

MA: This bundle is even complete with its own trailer?

PR: Yeah, I mean, the idea of doing a full blown trailer for a software bundle struck me as a little ridiculous too at first, but it was one of those things where we’re talking ideas, and we go through a stage where it’s a bad idea, then decide why the hell not. I think it turned out well.

Inside the Vaukt

MA: Where did the idea to do a boxed version of the bundle come from?

PR: We’re always trying to reach as many Mac users as we can, because we have the best software deal out there. Retail is an opportunity to break into the mainstream, the casual user who doesn’t read TUAW everyday, or maybe the new Windows switcher looking to fill their new Mac with some software. Plus, it’s just cool to have a physical box. Kind of makes it feel more real.

MA: Did you consider doing this bundle in partnership with another organization like the MacUpdate/Skunkworks bundle of last year?

PR: No. Our “skunk works” bundle with MacUpdate last summer was an interesting collaboration, but ultimately we felt constricted by the partnership, and decided to continue on our own. We’re always open to potentially working with others though. For example, I’m in talks right now with a guy who may be helping us unleash the Heist brand on Windows users, so we’ll see how that goes.

MA: Do you think that the upcoming MacUpdate bundle will hurt your sales at all?

PR: No, but I think we will probably end up affecting their sales pretty heavily. I imagine with our launch the week before MacUpdate’s, a lot of customers are going to be light in their pockets the following week, and in some sense, gorged on quality Mac software. We definitely have the advantage with the timing. It’s interesting, I was talking to John Gruber about that [MacHeist/MacUpdate competition] the other day and he compared us to Coke and Pepsi, and it really is getting kind of ugly. I’m just waiting for Joel to launch the MacUpdate Challenge, but you know, we’re quietly feeling out the bottled water industry. MacHeist bottled water, coming this fall.

MA: Going off topic a little bit, can we expect any more MacHeist related promotions before the debut of MH III? There have been a few rumors floating around of a Skunkworks 2.0.

PR: I can’t comment on our future events, beyond the fact that MacHeist 3 is happening later this year.

MA: Thanks for joining us Phill.

PR: Thanks for inviting me here, enjoyed answering these questions.

So there you have it. The bundle goes on sale soon, and can be purchased through MacHeist. It is not known yet where you can buy the Retail bundle in-store.

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21 Comment(s)

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obcm said on

April 10th, 2008 at 7:21 am

sigh. won’t macheist just die already

-7

Glenn said on

April 10th, 2008 at 7:31 am

A seriously lame interview. Are we ever going to see that those apps from MyDreamApp that we voted for? I really don’t understand why developers associate with PR and JC.

Jim said on

April 10th, 2008 at 7:58 am

I’ve got to admit that so far I’ve gotten more use out of previous MacUpdate bundles than MacHeist and I’m curious to see why he thinks MH might affect MacUpdate sales so much when this retail bundle is more of a rehash of previous bundle items that many already have.

Either way though I just wish these guys would show a little professionalism. The MH team keeps doing or rather saying things that just lack professionalism.

(subscribed to comments) Add karma

Jim said on

April 10th, 2008 at 8:29 am

Suck my balls??? Cmon. I realize this isn’t the New York Times, but could a LITTLE more class be had here?

Dennis said on

April 10th, 2008 at 9:16 am

This interview is relatively informative, however, the “he can suck…” comment is unneccesary and then is just left hanging?? I thought Macupdate did a bundle with Macheist awhile back (maybe I’m wrong)

Now he’s calling names?? I don’t get it…

-1

Ammon Beckstrom said on

April 10th, 2008 at 9:32 am

Not much new here if you’ve bought either of the previous MacHeist bundles.

iClip (MacHeist 1 Bundle)
CoverSutra (MacHeist 2 Bundle)
Awaken 4.0 (MacHeist 2 Bundle)
Cha-Ching (MacHeist 2 Bundle
DEVONthink Personal (MacHeist 1 Bundle)
WriteRoom (MacHeist/Macupdate “Skunkworks” Bundle)
Enigmo, Bugdom 2, Nanosaur 2 (Bugdom 2 and Nanosaur 2 were in MacHeist 1 Bundle)

Essentially, the only software listed here not already sold by MacHeist are Picturesque, Textpander, Xslimmer, and Enigmo–although both Enigmo and Xslimmer were free loot in MacHeist 2.

The deal might be great if you’re really new to Mac, if the price is right, and if you’ve never bought anything from MacHeist before.

Greg Healy said on

April 10th, 2008 at 10:02 am

Well, I just published the interview as it was conducted, though I can censor it if you think that would be more appropriate.

-10

Greg Healy said on

April 10th, 2008 at 10:11 am

Alright, I have removed Phill’s answer in the post, as it was a little offensive.

-7

Crass said on

April 10th, 2008 at 11:20 am

PR:> He can suck my balls…

Just goes to show classy PR is.

Phillip Ryu said on

April 10th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

The suck my balls comment is specifically regarding Joel copying our promotional material, which I found offensive. He is a nice guy in person though.

“sigh. won’t macheist just die already”

Well, apparently people like it… we are growing faster than ever. I’m sorry man.

-3

Joi said on

April 10th, 2008 at 1:27 pm

Please.. Not available online and you think you are going to hurt macupdate upcomming bundle which will more than likely be available online?

-1

Phillip Ryu said on

April 10th, 2008 at 1:35 pm

It will be available online. I think you might’ve misread the first line: “The bundle will not only be on sale online, but there will also be a boxed version available in stores.”

artist-illustrator said on

April 10th, 2008 at 1:45 pm

keep ‘em coming MacHeist. A great bundle at a great price.

nice trailer as well.

And whats with everyone bitching about the “suck my balls” comment? is MacApper popular with prudish old women or something?

offensive my arse!

-5

Agua said on

April 10th, 2008 at 6:16 pm

I think some competition is great.

In regards to the “suck my balls” comment, eh. Are some of you that sensitive?

I really enjoyed my Mac Heist 2 purchase, although I wish they had a separate bundle for those of us that have 90% of those apps already. I DON’T want a discount, I want a separate bundle, since the money goes to charity.

-3

Jorge said on

April 10th, 2008 at 11:38 pm

Thanks Phillip Ryu…. My bad.

-2

Rees Maxwell said on

April 11th, 2008 at 2:52 am

Phill,

First: great work you are doing. Super cool heists, great online community built around it, the [remote] potential still exists for MyDreamApp, and you introduced me to some really great apps that I now use every day. Thanks for all of that. Now, that said…

Look, I know you’re young at the pr/sales thing (and doing better than most folks) … but please, grow some balls large enough to feel confident in yourself.

Seems that someone with true confidence doesn’t need to put others down rudely. So a few people are trying to make a buck and put together good deals for us customers. For me that’s a good thing. Maybe you feel you won’t make as much dough because of competition. Maybe that’s true, and maybe not … but reading rude comments by you (here and on several other sites) just makes me all the less excited to participate in the deals you put together. You don’t have to get classy … just get civil. You’re rejoicing over the fact that you’ll drain the wallets of folks before Joel’s bundle sale … come on, man, be bigger than that. Rejoice in private all you want, but by making those comments public you just look petulant. [Here's a great definition of petulant: "an incorrigibly fractious young man"]

I look cringe every time I read a crass comment by you about someone else. I also look forward to seeing how you mature over the years. And also to whatever next Big Idea you initiate or get behind.

macpug said on

April 11th, 2008 at 3:09 am

Don’t forget about the referral incentives…there was no mention of that but it sounds pretty cool.

I understand this is basically a “best of…” collection, but I’m still a little bummed because I already have all of these apps. Still, MH3 later this year should make up for it

Good job Phill and co. Keep up the good work!

-1

ladyvolcc said on

April 11th, 2008 at 3:12 am

I agree, it is a “Greatest Apps” (best of) bundle.

For info about the referral program, check out the forum at MacHeist’s website.

-1

cjc said on

April 11th, 2008 at 3:21 am

I’d like to thank Phil and John at Macheist for all the fantabulous work they do to help us poor people!

I found out about MacHeist during the joint MacHeist/MacUpdate deal and kept my eyes open to see what would happen later in the year.

I saw the Heists start and worked my way slowly thru them, asking for help as needed until I managed to get all the way to the end and pickup about 10 pieces of FREE software. Fantastic! I had a great time playing the heists, even if they drove me crazy!

Then came the actual bundle. I had $10 worth of discounts to use (which unfortunately I couldn’t apply for some reason) and got another 11 or 12 pieces of brilliant software for only $49!

I had been looking at Pixelmater for quite a while and putting it off because when $59 is 25% of your weekly wage, you are VERY careful about how you spend your money. And then Pixelmater and Vector Designer and Snaps Pro X all showed up in the bundle for the price of only 1 of them! BRILLIANT! Here’s my excuse to buy! And be able to justify it to myself!

Did I get some double ups? Yes I did. I already had AppZapper and 1Password. Was I a bit annoyed that I wasn’t able to use my discounts? Yes I was. Was I annoyed with the kerfuffle over Speed Download? Yes, but it was all sorted in the end.

BUT, and this is a HUGE BUT, in the overall scheme of things, as a new switcher, I was able to get over $750 worth of legal software to use on my new MacBook Pro! Not pirated software. Not demo software. Not limited software. But FULL, UNLIMITED software!

I call that a FANTASTIC DEAL! Were there stuff ups? Yes, there were. Will Macheist learn from those stuff ups and do it better next time? I hope so.

Will I look at buying again from macHeist. You bet your ass I will!

Keep it up guys!

MacHeist is always disappointing said on

April 12th, 2008 at 6:39 am

When is this happening? I ask not because I want the MacHeist bundle, which has nothing that appeals to me really, but because I’m very keen to see what’s in the next MacUpdate bundle! I’m a huge fan of MacUpdate and really hope this new bundle is worth buying!

-2

Greg Healy said on

April 12th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

I also have a second interview MacHeist related, which will hopefully be posted in the next few weeks. This second interview is with John Casasanta and Scott Meinzer on their MacHeist experiences.