Weren't they always?
Seriously.. I guess at some point I bought those apps, since I have the option to install them on my MacBook ( I just choose not to for the most part. No GB because I have Logic) but for the life of me I don't ever recall buying any of them. Was there a point those came free with a MacBook purchase, or when the OS cost money or something?
Oops, nevermind I read:
Before today, those apps were free to users who bought a new Mac, iPhone, or iPad, and the free download was a one-time event.
Seems silly given that criteria they weren't always free as I assumed they were.