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Apple Discontinuing Physical Photo Books Printing Service Later This Year

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Apple will discontinue its physical Photo Books printing service later this year, as spotted by 9to5Mac. Using Photo Books, macOS users can choose from pictures taken on an iPhone or iPad, synced to the Mac Photos app, and build books, cards, calendars, and prints that are then mailed to them.

apple photo books mac
Now, a new message has been spotted in the Photos app on macOS 10.13.6 and states that final purchases for the built-in photo printing service will need to be placed by September 30, 2018. Afterwards, it appears that Mac users will have to opt for third-party companies like Shutterfly to craft physical books made from their digital photos.

Apple explains that users can integrate these third-party services into Photos with a Photos Project Extension downloaded from the Mac App Store. With these extensions, apps like Shutterfly can integrate photo printing services into Apple's own Photos app so users don't have to leave the app to build their photo books.

9to5 photo books

Image via 9to5Mac

For classic landscape-style books, Apple sells softcover books starting at $9.99 in a medium size, and increasing to $49.99 in hardcover and extra large size. Calendars are $19.99 each, cards start at $0.99, and posters for panoramic shots are also available for $12.99-$17.99. These prices should remain intact until the service shutters in the fall.

Top Rated Comments

pete2106 Avatar
102 months ago
Tim probably couldn't find a way to jam a subscription model into it.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kylelerner Avatar
102 months ago
I guess they’re closing the book on this one.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ugahairydawgs Avatar
102 months ago
Tim Cook ruined this company. Not financially, but emotionally.
Absolutely. Having 1st party access to printed photo books is quintessential to being a Mac owner and a user of the Photos app.

Hopefully wiser minds will step in to keep this vital service active for the company.

/s
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TimUSCA Avatar
102 months ago
Well this sucks. I love these books and felt like the pricing was actually pretty fair for the quality. I was planning to make a calendar for my mother-in-law for Christmas per her request, so I guess I'll need to get it done before September 30.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CmdrLaForge Avatar
102 months ago
Very bad news and another sign to me that Apple lost the path of its founder.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jel888 Avatar
102 months ago
What a shame! I just found the service recently and quickly made a project and placed an order, and voilà! Done! And the person received it ASAP and said it was great!!!

I'm going to have to make all my project over the summer and get them out fast.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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