Amazon's New Mac Download Store Takes On Apple's Mac App Store

[MacRumors]

As noted by The Loop, Amazon has launched a new download store for Mac OS X applications, going head-to-head against Apple's Mac App Store. While Amazon's download store does not offer the level of system integration featured by Apple's store, it does offer a few big name titles like Microsoft Office that are not available through Apple's Mac App Store.

Competing directing with Apple's Mac Store, Amazon says its store has 250 of the biggest software and game titles available for Mac. In fact, they have some titles that Apple's store doesn't.

A number of popular video game publishers including EA, Aspyr, and Feral Interactive are also included on Amazon's store.

Amazon's download mechanism appears to offer a basic downloadable installer for each title, forgoing any integrated installation system. Purchases are also stored in users' digital lockers associated with their Amazon accounts, allowing unlimited downloads for personal use.

To celebrate the launch of the Mac download store, Amazon is offering a one-time use coupon good for $5 off of a purchase from the store through June 1st.

Article Link: Amazon's New Mac Download Store Takes On Apple's Mac App Store

 

[vincenz]

Can't hurt to have more choices as a consumer

 

[RonHC]

competition

 

[gnasher729]

This can only be good for software developers, and as a consequence for Apple's hardware sales. The more software available, the better. And since so so many people complained about the 30% "Apple tax", I bet Amazon will give 100% of the purchase price to the developer.

 

[Small White Car]

Ok, this is nice and all, but without the tight system integration this is really just "Amazon.com can do software downloads."

That's great, really, but it's not exactly the same thing.

 

[miles01110]

This can only be good for software developers, and as a consequence for Apple's hardware sales. The more software available, the better. And since so so many people complained about the 30% "Apple tax", I bet Amazon will give 100% of the purchase price to the developer.

Well, kind of. If you have your app in the Mac App Store you aren't allowed to sell it anywhere else for a better price to cover the 30% hit Apple takes.

 

[shokunin]

I don't trust amazon.com at all. They deleted one of my accounts, long time customer 10+ years, over 120 orders on the account and they deleted it because I had 4 returns over the past 12 months. They only restored it after much complaining, and the fact that I had gift certificate balance that is illegal to just "wipe" out. With that wipe-out all the past orders, receipts, everything would be gone.

I wouldn't trust them with my serials or receipt of software.

 

[mattwolfmatt]

Lawsuit in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

This can only be good for software developers, and as a consequence for Apple's hardware sales. The more software available, the better. And since so so many people complained about the 30% "Apple tax", I bet Amazon will give 100% of the purchase price to the developer.

Who realistically complains about Apple's 30%? They aren't making a profit from that 30%, that's what it cost them to buy the hardware and pay the employees to keep the app store running.

Amazon will face similar hardware and employee requirements, plus they need to make a profit, because, unlike apple, they're not making the computers the apps run on. At best, Amazon will charge the same 30%, but I suspect they'll take a greater cut than that.

Well, kind of. If you have your app in the Mac App Store you aren't allowed to sell it anywhere else.

Really? I hadn't heard of that, and I feel like you must be wrong, because many of the games available on the Mac App Store (IE: Braid and Bejewled,) are also available on Steam for Mac.

 

[PlipPlop]

Lawsuit in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .

And why is that? Since when has offering digital downloads been illegal?

 

[dustinsc]

This can only be good for software developers, and as a consequence for Apple's hardware sales. The more software available, the better. And since so so many people complained about the 30% "Apple tax", I bet Amazon will give 100% of the purchase price to the developer.

How would they make money then? Not everything can be a loss leader.

 

[TimUSCA]

Well, kind of. If you have your app in the Mac App Store you aren't allowed to sell it anywhere else.

Not true. They just can't sell it for cheaper.

 

[JangoFett124]

Who realistically complains about Apple's 30%? They aren't making a profit from that 30%, that's what it cost them to buy the hardware and pay the employees to keep the app store running.

I can guarantee you they are making a profit from that 30%. A large profit.

 

[miles01110]

Not true. They just can't sell it for cheaper.

Right; fixed.

 

[FroMann]

I love Amazon, so this is pretty sweet.

 

[chr]

If this is anything like their digital downloads of computer games, it's going to be terribly implemented and full of bugs.

 

[akbarali.ch]

The loot

Apple is getting looted left & right, now Amazon.

 

[Bodypainter]

competition will help lowering the prices. this Store is actually VERY good!

 

[chrono1081]

Well, kind of. If you have your app in the Mac App Store you aren't allowed to sell it anywhere else for a better price to cover the 30% hit Apple takes.

Wrong. You can sell it in either place.

EDIT: User changed original post.

 

[notjustjay]

I can guarantee you they are making a profit from that 30%. A large profit.

Absolutely. For one, their overhead and labour costs aren't tied in any way to the cost of the application. Whether an app costs $0.99 or $100, Apple pays the same amount to host it on their server, but the higher-priced app nets them much more profit.

Steve always struts out numbers during keynotes like "We're proud to announce that we've paid out over $1 billion to our developers" -- which if you do the math means Apple's cut was over $400 million.

 

[ivantod]

For us in Europe, it should probably be mentioned that this service is, as expected, of course US only.

 

[gwangung]

I can guarantee you they are making a profit from that 30%. A large profit.

They'd be kinda stupid not to; that's the whole point of a business.

(Note that distributors of material good often take a far larger cut, anywhere from 45 to 60 percent. Anybody who thinks 30% is price gouging is ignorant and naive about the nuts and bolts of business).

 

[Intarweb]

Who realistically complains about Apple's 30%? They aren't making a profit from that 30%, that's what it cost them to buy the hardware and pay the employees to keep the app store running.

Couldn't be anymore wrong.

 

[ericmooreart]

Ok, this is nice and all, but without the tight system integration this is really just "Amazon.com can do software downloads."

That's great, really, but it's not exactly the same thing.

I'm not trashing your post but why do I need system integration? I buy my software, download it, install it with my serial number. Go to its preferences, check for updates, Done.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Wrong. You can sell it in either place.

He already changed his post to clarify that they can't sell it anywhere else for cheaper, which sounds like it may be right... And may be illegal... sounds kind if like price fixing to me...