Stardock Prepares Users for Windows 10 with Object Desktop Infinite

– Customize the Windows user interface with the features of the future right now –

from Stardock Forums

Plymouth, Michigan – October, 21, 2014 – Stardock announced today the availability of Object Desktop Infinite, a new service that grants users access to a growing library of Windows user interface enhancements for only $9.99 to start and then $3.99 per month thereafter. Each purchase includes full access to the company’s already-popular enhancements. Among other utilities, Start8 returns the start menu to Windows 8, ModernMix runs Modern UI (Metro) apps in resizable windows on the desktop, Fences automatically organizes icons into shaded areas on the desktop, Launch8 adds a dock to the Windows 8 Start screen, and many others.

 "We have a lot of new apps in the pipeline for Windows 10 users," said Stardock President and CEO Brad Wardell. "With each version of Windows, we’ve always been able to add features and improvements that were often later implemented into future versions of the OS."

Stardock pioneered treating ZIP files like folders, which is now a standard feature of Windows. GUI skinning as in Stardock's WindowBlinds was later incorporated into Windows XP and Aero in Windows 7. DesktopX, another one of its customization utilities, introduced Mac and Windows users to the concept of widgets and gadgets on the desktop.

"Rather than users having to pay for our programs piecemeal or buy a large bundle with yearly upgrades, we wanted to give them a simple and affordable option to keep up with the latest features as soon as we release them.  It's like getting the future version of Windows right now!" said Wardell.

Object Desktop continues to evolve alongside users' needs and changes to Windows. ShadowFX, a recent addition to Object Desktop, adds drop shadows to active windows in Windows 8 and will continue to be supported on Windows 10. Stardock is currently developing a Start8 update for Windows 10, called Start10, and all-new software that will make applications work better with High-DPI displays, enhance virtual desktop environments, improve Win32-to-Modern-UI unity and more. These projects will be added to Object Desktop Infinite at no additional charge once they are complete.

Object Desktop Infinite is available now for $9.99 plus $3.99 per month. To learn more, visit http://www.objectdesktop.com.

Media Assets:
Object Desktop Screenshot:
https://www.stardock.com/products/odnt/images/odnt_ss.png

Facebook Image:
https://www.stardock.com/products/odnt/images/ODI/str_odi_timeline_10.15_ng.png

Twitter image:
https://www.stardock.com/products/odnt/images/ODI/str_odi_twitter_10.17_ng.png

Logo:
https://www.stardock.com/products/odnt/images/ODI/ObjectDesktopInfinite-horzlogo.png

 

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About Stardock: Stardock is a leading developer and publisher of PC games and desktop software. Its PC games include Sins of a Solar Empire and the critically acclaimed Galactic Civilizations series. Its desktop software includes Start8, Fences, WindowBlinds, ModernMix, Object Desktop and more.  Learn more at www.stardock.com.

8,529 views 40 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sounds like a nice option but will a customer still be able to pay/renew upfront for a full or multiple years? 

Will there still be a discount for renewals?  

Sorry, had to ask as some of us in the community have a little more financial flexibility then others.  :sun:   

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Excellent news!

Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

 

 


DesktopX, another one of its customization utilities, introduced Mac and Windows users to the concept of widgets and gadgets on the desktop.

Such a great loss.....I mourn it's untimely death..... (insert non working crying emoticon here...)

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sounds like a nice option but will a customer still be able to pay/renew upfront for a full or multiple years?  Will there still be a discount for renewals?   Sorry, had to ask as some of us in the community have a little more financial flexibility then others.

Yes I would like to know this too. My sub ends in 7 days and I'm not up for paying a monthly fee I'd rather pay for a yearly plan.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Philly0381, reply 1

Sounds like a nice option but will a customer still be able to pay/renew upfront for a full or multiple years? 

Will there still be a discount for renewals?  

Sorry, had to ask as some of us in the community have a little more financial flexibility then others.  :sun:   

The regular option of paying for a year is still available.  Nothing is changing on that, this is just the new subscription option.

 

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Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thank you ID for clarifying that.  :sun:

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thank you, Island Dog!  I very much prefer to pay for Object Desktop with a yearly subscription like I've done each year for the last six years.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So to clarify a little more, an OD subscription renewal costs $29.99 for one year right now. An OD Infinite subscription will cost $9.99 for the first month and $3.99 for the other 11 months, for a total of $53.88 for the first year, and then $47.88 for every year thereafter.. Am I missing something here? Will there be certain releases that will not be offered with the current way of renewing an OD subscription? Why would the OD Infinite subscription be so much more than the regular one year subscription method we have at present?  o_O

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Tom, I think it's geared towards those who either can't afford a year all at once, or don't know if they'll like the software enough to commit to a full year.

 

I could be way off......

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think the payment method is an interesting option - especially as Stardock may well bring in new customers who do not want to pay the full cost up front. It will be interesting to see how this turns out and whether the customer base increases which could also bring in more badly needed skinners. This could be a win-win. I hope its a success.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Glad to hear the one off yearly payment is still going to be available. I will stick with that. Don't like subscription services

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Same here, I don't like subscriptions and don't do them :)

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top


These projects will be added to Object Desktop Infinite at no additional charge once they are complete


Correct me if iam wrong but this sounds like current subscribers with only OD subscription will have to make an additional purchase to receive these apps for plate 10.
I could be wrong but for people including myself that just bought a 1 year sub extension, will they be or will they be not able to access those new apps if  they make the upgrade from 8 to 10.

I can only speak for myself, here; I extended my sub because i was curious to see what you guys will do with 10, and currently using nothing more than Modern Mix.
I uninstalled Start8, Fences and WB bc of reason that are known.
I know i could make use of all the apps included in OD, but that’s not the point I just would like to know how current OD subscribers are treated when it comes to OD infinite.

Will the OD sub become "OD Infinite" once it is ready ?

Ty in advance


 

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Benmanns, I am not officially in the know, but I'm sure that the new additions will be added to ODNT just as they always have. I think the only difference between Infinite and ODNT will be pricing and renewal periods.

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks RND, just wanted to make sure and have that official that way things would be much clearer.
But since it was that way with win7-win8 you are probably right. 

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting benmanns, reply 13

Correct me if iam wrong but this sounds like current subscribers with only OD subscription will have to make an additional purchase to receive these apps for plate 10.

Object Desktop is Object Desktop.  The post here is focusing on what you get and will get with Object Desktop Infinite as that's the focus of this news post. :)

 

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Island, reply 16


Quoting benmanns,
reply 13

Correct me if iam wrong but this sounds like current subscribers with only OD subscription will have to make an additional purchase to receive these apps for plate 10.



Object Desktop is Object Desktop.  The post here is focusing on what you get and will get with Object Desktop Infinite as that's the focus of this news post. :)

 



Yeah that was my fear, so without "infinite" i have to pay extra for upcomming windows10 apps as "ObjectDesktop" subscriber.

 

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Shouldn't the title be re-arranged to read "Stardock Prepares Windows 10 users for Object Desktop Infinite"?

 
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So then we are to read that there is a difference between Infinite and the current yearly subscription and it centers around what is provided/included with each?  All of a sudden things became less clear.   :S

EDIT:  I just went to the Stardock product page for Object Desktop and the only difference between Infinite the current yearly subscription seems to be the payment structure.  Very confusing as to what is exactly going on.

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Let me ask a question as all this isn't clear.

Current users of OD with W7/8 will see no change in their method of payment and suite of programs.

Users of W10 and going forward will have a subscription based ODI with a suite of programs for W10.

Is this correct?

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

There is no change in the way Object Desktop works aside from a new subscription payment plan.

 

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

:thumbsup: Thanks. The earlier comments were just a bit confusing.

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Philly0381, reply 20

EDIT:  I just went to the Stardock product page for Object Desktop and the only difference between Infinite the current yearly subscription seems to be the payment structure.  Very confusing as to what is exactly going on.


Not sure what exactly is confusing.  Object Desktop Infinite is the new subscription model.  It doesn't change anything else.  Object Desktop users regardless of how they pay will get new and updated apps just as they always have.

This news post is about Object Desktop Infinite, so that is why all the references are made directly about Object Desktop Infinite.

 

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I must just be showing my age I guess. 

It just came across that Object Desktop Infinite was an attempt at creating a new tier of subscriber services for Stardock products, my mind/brain drifted back to Object Desktop Ultimate. 

I'll sit back into my old folks recliner now and take a nap, sorry.  :-"