I bought it, and here's why: For $99 now, even if Sonar was discontinued at the end of 2017, I still got a deal! If it continues on, then it's FREE!!

Now, Cakewalk can decide to manage that any way they see fit, so long as the level of expected delivery, support, and bug-free experience doesn't wane and the product isn't discontinued. Perhaps this is an infusion to invest into something. That's ok, too. I see it as a risk to CW, more than to me, but to be a nay-sayer to $99, even skeptics should see this as a serious potential value. We won't know that until the end of 2017, but if you didn't buy this deal, and things are going well by the end of 2017, you might just regret it then.

SilverBlueMedallion

Anderton

SilverBlueMedallion

Anderton

SilverBlueMedallion

tenfoot
The level of absurd speculation following this announcement is breathtaking. A company with an extraordinary track record of customer commitment offers lifetime updates to one of the longest established DAW's on the market at a bargain price, and people still complain! Seriously folks - it's a no brainer, and you even have until August 31st to save your pennies.
 
Thanks Cakewalk - you really are the best:)

The reason for that is because people are not stupid.  When something sounds too good to be true - it usually is!

Here's a more appropriate cliche: "actions speak louder than words."
 
Cakewalk is showing their appreciation in a very tangible way to the people who've stood by the company. Maybe it seems too good to be be true that a company would do that...but they're doing that. And based on some of the posts in this thread, people with some business acumen understand why this makes long-term sense for Cakewalk and the community.
 
I was invited to Boston this week to get the scoop. There is some highly innovative thinking going on here. The reason I was asked to visit also involves something that will NOT be announced on June 1, but my name was floated as one possible way to help make it happen and they wanted to gauge my interest and availability. I'd love to be involved in what I think would be an extremely cool project, so if Cakewalk can convince the other Gibson divisions to let me be "on loan" for four months or so, it will probably happen.
 
 

 
We will see in 6 more days or so.   I mean honestly, if I do this lifetime updates thing, they probably will NEVER see my cash ever again.  That is a mighty big thank you, no?
Gibson is a corporation.  Every move is a financial one.  EVERY ONE.   There are no "thank yous" in the corporate world.

 
As I've explained before, happy customers spread the word, which helps create more happy customers. It is incorrect to assume that situations cannot be "win-win." In an optimum environment, the needs of the corporation and the needs of the customer are in alignment. Setting up that kind of environment is the goal here.
 

 
that can also be achieved by giving me a 50% discount or something for a few months or something.   They literally will never get anymore money out of me ever again!  I am sure there will be PLENTY others!   I use 3rd party apps for all my FX and SYNTHS...   perhaps if something really cool comes along once in a while like VocalSync, I'd pay extra... but literally i can count maybe 1 or 2 in the past 18 months so far that I would actually pay for.
 
Seems like a strange way to get new customers.  Like I said... I am not ripping on them as we dont have the full story yet... but of course I am skeptical when a corporation literally wants to NOT take my money :)

If you really actually use all 3rd party FX and Synths, it would seem to be Plat would be a waste of money for you anyway.  It is the FX + Synths that create the premium price as Artist and Professional are both viable options.
 
Me?  I'd hate to be without the pro-channel and included plugs there.  I like the quality and integration.  Yes, I use some 3rd party ones for sure.  But if those same things were offered as integrated, I'd certainly prefer that.  
 
As for getting new customers...offering a product with lifetime updates included is exactly how you do it.  Players like Ableton came along and left Sonar in the dust in the market place (from a market share standpoint, which has noting to do with how good the product is or is not), they have to add serious value to steer new customers towards the product.  

I'm a happy customer, I think, Upgraded to lifetime nearly a week ago. Still getting emails inviting me to the offer?? Have I done it.........or not?

doyouwannit
I'm a happy customer, I think, Upgraded to lifetime nearly a week ago. Still getting emails inviting me to the offer?? Have I done it.........or not?

I'm still getting them too.
Go to your account and find your membership details.
It should say this: "Membership valid through ∞"

I'm still getting them. Don't sweat it, it's no problem.

I bought the upgrade from Sonar X3 Producer to Sonar Platinum a couple of months ago. I didn't activated yet. 
 
Knowing that, I'd like to know what is my best course of action: Should I wait after June 1st to activate Sonar Platinum with the license I bought, or should I activate it now and ask for a lifetime update?
 
I wrote to support, but got no answer.

Got the email about lifetime upgrade, but the price is 199$
I did renew my platinum membership one of the last days in february. Why don't I get the 99$ offer?
 
 
Edit: Joey Adams (Cakewalk) fixed it for me. Thanks Joey

Well, I'm not too impressed with responsiveness from Cakewalk.  See, I got the Lifetime Update notice.  Ok, clicked on it, and it said "$199 - upgrade to Sonar Platinum with Lifetime Updates"
 
Um, I already have Sonar Platinum.  I actually bought Sonar Professional on August 23, 2015.  Then, about three weeks later, I ponied up the money and upgraded to Platinum.  Now, I've been using Cakewalk since 1987 - version 1 for DOS (when it was 12 Tones).  I upgraded to every version, and then they stopped making Cakewalk and went to Pro Audio.  Upgraded again, then they started with Sonar X series.  Skipped a few, then got Sonar X3.  Lo and behold, not long after, no more X series.  Now it was Sonar Professional.

Damn.

Got that, then (as I said) upgraded to Platinum.  So now they're doing the Microsoft thing - no more versions.  This is it.  And you get a lifetime upgrade. 
 
Sure.  Until they either abandon it completely or come out with the Sonar Cakewalk Super Session Modulation series, and stop supporting Platinum.

Whatever.

I wrote to Customer Support asking about how much I'm actually supposed to pay, and how long they expect the product life of Sonar Platinum to be.  That was two weeks ago.  No answer.  Called today.  No service reps are available.  Called Cleverbridge.  They have no idea.
 
The latest e-mail said "The regular price of upgrading from SONAR Platinum to lifetime updates will be $199. Since you renewed already this year, your price will be $199 minus the amount you paid when you purchased your renewal.".  So I clicked, and I was still logged in, and the price was still $199.
 

So, I'm turning to the forum.  Any ideas about how much I'm actually supposed to pay for this Lifetime upgrade? 

Ryan99
I bought the upgrade from Sonar X3 Producer to Sonar Platinum a couple of months ago. I didn't activated yet. 

Knowing that, I'd like to know what is my best course of action: Should I wait after June 1st to activate Sonar Platinum with the license I bought, or should I activate it now and ask for a lifetime update?
 
I wrote to support, but got no answer.

The basic qualification is that you purchased Platinum in Jan 2015 and extended your membership in 2016.
 
You probably have to wait 8 days to see if you can go lifetime for $199. JMO based on the facts.
 
 

doyouwannit
I'm a happy customer, I think, Upgraded to lifetime nearly a week ago. Still getting emails inviting me to the offer?? Have I done it.........or not?

A lot of people that should have received the email didn't, and it looks like Cake is sending out repeated mailings to be sure no one is left out. Better too many notices than none at all.