<p>Earlier this week, Adobe announced that it would be discontinuing the boxed versions of its Creative Suite software. The only way to purchase that software from now on will be through a subscription to the company's Creative Cloud service, which can cost anywhere from $20 a month to $75 a month depending on what software you need and how long you need access to it.</p><p>Microsoft is another company moving in that directionwith Office 2013, the company began offering subscriptions that allow consumers to install the software on multiple PCs while providing extra SkyDrive storage space. However, Microsoft continues to offer boxed, perpetual-license versions of the software as well, and a post on the Office News blog suggests that this choice won't be going away any time soon (emphasis ours):</p><p>Like Adobe, we think subscription software-as-a-service is the future. The benefits to consumers are huge. Subscribers are always up-to-date. They get the latest and most complete applications. They can use subscriptions across the multitude of devices people use today. Web services like SkyDrive and applications like Skype are also more easily integrated with subscription services, like the new Office 365 Home Premium.</p><p>However, unlike Adobe, we think people's shift from packaged software to subscription services will take time. Within a decade, we think everyone will choose to subscribe because the benefits are undeniable. In the meantime, we are committed to offering choicepremier software sold as a package and powerful services sold as a subscription.</p><p><a href="http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/05/microsoft-office-wont-go-subscription-only-anytime-soon/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.zdnet.com/subscription-only-microsoft-office-dont-hold-your-breath-says-microsoft-7000015063/">Subscription-only Microsoft Office? Don&#039;t hold your breath, says Microsoft</a> (ZDNet)</p><p><a href="http://www.cmswire.com/cms/document-management/document-management-rollup-microsoft-will-continue-to-package-office-emc-documentum-upgrades-020832.php">Document Management Roll-up: Microsoft Will Continue To Package Office ...</a> (CMSWire)</p><p><a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9239023/Microsoft_won_t_guarantee_buy_not_rent_Office_for_next_decade">Microsoft won&#039;t guarantee buy-not-rent Office for next decade</a> (Computerworld)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dQossPvS0w6xZLMqqqmmDZGZH1eiM&ned=us">86 additional articles.</a></p>