Status on m1/m2 update?

I strongly disagree with these statements again. I see it as a matter of short term vs long term. And I do think Apple's motivations are complex and do account for the user accordingly. Their long term success is tied to user satisfaction. There will be other competitive choices for brain/sensory ecosystems.

How devices factor into our daily lives will be far different going forward than the 2000-2020 era.

This will bring a sea change in all life endeavors... including music creation on all levels.

I'm personally quite happy that Apple is now going to be a unified platform across their devices.

Meaning: one of the things I don't like, if comparing to Windows 'tablets' is that my favorite software on my desktop/laptop won't run on my iPad. Buzz-kill. Photoshop, which I use religiously, and Word/Excel, which I use out of necessity, just suck to me on iPad. Ugh. I hate them there. So I don't use them there, even though there are many times I'd much rather grab a tablet than take out the laptop.

Over time I expect this to now become easier, albeit with screen-size and tablet interface 'restrictions.' Even for the developers. This lowers the threshold from 3 'platforms' (x86 Win, x86 Mac, ARM Mac/iOS) down to 2. If I were a dev... oh wait... I'd prefer it.

Time will tell on that one though.

Besides: it's been 15+ years since a major 'platform' overhaul on the Mac side, to something that works better for their overall infrastructure. I'm fine with it.

Nothing wrong with not liking it either.

I think what's going on with NI is deeper than M1 though. The stuff from 2019 has ramifications. Joining 'collectives' feels needy. Seeing FM8 for $10 on plugin boutique feels down-right worrisome (it's done, I think, as is probably Absynth and maybe even original Massive). Now your there with A.I.R. and iZotope's old stuff and instruments, and even Waves to a slightly lesser extent. Not good.

But I do think Reaktor is fine. Roll out Kontakt first, given it's bread-and-butterness (plus no-doubt existing contractual agreements with vendors); then roll out Reaktor since half of your Komplete line depends on it; then probably Guitar Rig since they're clearly still working on it.

I could see everything else get dropped entirely from real future updates. It'll work on Windows until they release an incompatible OS (and they do), and it'll work with Rosetta and Intel Macs until they release an incompatible OS (and granted, Apple OS's move more frequently than they used to, which is a flip, as for a while there Windows was just all-over the place and Apple was the consistent one).

Ugh. $10 for FM8 on plugin boutique. Sigh

Not sure if anyone tried this. ARM Windows has its own emulation layer to run x86 programs, from what I’ve heard it’s much less efficient than Apple’s Rosetta 2.

I do not know if MS layer or Apple's is better.... I would not be surprised if the both are based on the same 3rdparty code...

Definitelly x86 code needs Rosetta like layer to run on ARM Windows. I do not know if it works satisfactory as who would want to run decent application on ARM under Win.... That is task for early adopters who like kids games...

Developing for Win, iPad and Mac is still developing for three platforms despite the fact iPad and Mac are on ARM. They have different user interface... And I would not do the same application for iPad and for Mac. One costing 30 USD and the other 300 USD. Mainly if iPad app may be run on Mac...

But still would be subscription for IPad and Mac cost the same? I doubt it.... Prices for iPad are settled way down comparing to Mac/PC....

Yes, it would work for person that wants use it on Mac/PC and also iPad/android. But it would not for someone who wants only iPad/android.

It would work fine for someone with only those devices.

There is a difference between budget driven consumer choice and device driven consumer choice.

They are not mutually exclusive.