Ahead of OS X Lion, Mac App Store Sales Numbers Still Comparably Small

[skellener]

Still prefer buying directly from the small developer myself. Apple has how many billions (with a b) in the bank? They don't need 30% of my money. Support your developers by buying from their own websites. Give them 100% of your money.

 

[0098386]

I used it to download the Twitter OSX app. Didn't like it. MAS seems okay in theory, but it's just not something I want to deal with. When it comes to large apps I prefer them in physical format. When it comes to games I'd rather use Steam because, as a game delivery platform, it's infinitely better (for the unified community features alone).

I'll get Lion on MAS because it's the only way.

 

[Liquorpuki]

Get some big name developers in there and maybe sales would go up. Right now it's just the same one man dev teams thinking they can get rich by porting their $0.99 iOS app to Mac and upping the price to $9.99.

I just looked up Hard Rock Racing on youtube. If this is what qualifies as New and Noteworthy, I don't know why my Macbook Pro comes with a GPU.

 

[Justinf79]

I used the mac app store to get the Angry Birds games, but that's about it. I might purchase apps that cost only a few bucks from the app store, but with more expensive items I'm just going to buy the physical media instead.

 

[AaronEdwards]

People are just used to the standard way of getting software. Piracy.

That must be it. Or perhaps people who like a program and buy it, might prefer to pay the developer all the money instead of just 70%? Maybe they figure the more money the developer get, the better? Apple has already been paid.

Edit: had I seen skellener's excellent comment, I wouldn't have needed to write this

 

[prgonosticator]

Simple Solution

The problem seems to lie in access. How likely are you to buy from the Mac App Store if you're not accustomed to opening it for any other reason? Humans are creatures of habit.

If Apple wants us to purchase from the Mac App Store, they should create a layout that allows us to browse apps available without opening the application.

Let's take the new Dashboard interface for example, I just four finger swipe to the right and it's right there. Makes me much more inclined to use a sticky on my Mac or what have you.

If we could also four finger swipe to the right and witness beautiful GUI with top apps and recommendations, i think people would casually browse more often and probably be more inclined to make a purchase.

What do you guys think?

 

[dru`]

To check for updates against the 30-40 apps i've downloaded requires me to open MAS once every couple of weeks, and there are all the updates in one click.

As apposed to opening every downloaded application and seeing if it detects an upgrade?

Right there is the problem. What's more convenient, apps checking when you actually use them or having to remember to run the MAS?

Apps I've gotten from MAS do not check if an update is available so I end up missing updates because the MAS isn't running all the time and it's just not something I think to run regularly just to get updates.

Another issue, buying from the MAS means no trialware and it offers scant data for decision making compared to developer websites.

 

[bijanorama]

In the appstore...

I can't download Chrome, Firefox, Steam, VLC, Handbrake, Google Earth, Sketchup, or bittorrent.

What's the point of the app store again? A place to buy low quality games?

 

[Frisco]

This shows that Apple is out of touch, just like when they removed the disk drives.

It will be a good day when the narcissist Steve Jobs leaves Apple. Maybe not good for their stock short-term, but if they play their cards right then maybe Apple could continue to be a major player in Consumer IT.

They should forget about the Enterprise Market--Jobs killed any chance years ago with his stubborn Ego unwilling to license Mac OS. He was even sent a letter by Bill Gates to license (before Windows), but he ignored it.

http://www.macobserver.com/columns/thisweek/2004/20040630.shtml

 

[biallystock]

I've bought 2 non-application DLs from MAS, only because they were a good deal and unavailable elsewhere. I don't find that MAS helps the selection process at all. It offers substantially less information than the publisher's own website and why should I have to negotiate several locations for the one item.

I also detest the lack of demos and the difficulty of backups and software tracking on my end of the deal. MAS is just another dubious "convenience" that many will come to regret when Apple uses it against them.

I have one message to developers who choose MAS for their distribution:

"Think about what has happened to manufacturers who submitted to WalMart".

As for me I absolutely refuse to pay a substantial premium to Apple for DLed software just because I do not live the States. I do all my purchases direct from publishers who do not discriminate.

 

[*LTD*]

This shows that Apple is out of touch, just like when they removed the disk drives.

It will be a good day when the narcissist Steve Jobs leaves Apple. Maybe not good for their stock short-term, but if they play their cards right then maybe Apple could continue to be a major player in Consumer IT.

Are you kidding? Apple is the most valuable company in tech today *because* of what they're doing in consumer IT.

Welcome to 2011.

 

[AaronEdwards]

I can't download Chrome, Firefox, Steam, VLC, Handbrake, Google Earth, Sketchup, or bittorrent.

What's the point of the app store again? A place to buy low quality games?

Wait for the next update to OS X, Barbary Lion, that will be more iOS than OS X. You will no longer be allowed to install anything other than what you get from the Mac App Store.

 

[benthewraith]

[url=http://cdn.macrumors.com/im/macrumorsthreadlogodarkd.png]Image[/url]


During the keynote address at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month, Phil Schiller noted that Apple's Mac App Store, launch in early January, has rapidly risen to become the top selling distribution channel for computer software, beating out Best Buy, Walmart, and Office Depot. According to Schiller:But questions have remained about just how successful the Mac App Store has been, given the smaller installed base compared to iOS and long-standing alternative methods for purchasing software.

Developer Martin Schultz has, however, now provided a look at sales figures for his Hard Rock Racing app, which managed to peak as the #3 paid game and #14 overall paid app in the U.S. earlier this month after being featured by Apple in the "New and Noteworthy" section on the front page of the Mac App Store. According to Schultz, that stellar ranking translated into only 743 sales on the peak day.

Image


While that one-day performance resulted in a solid $2,500 payday for Schultz after Apple's 30% cut of revenue, it's clear that Mac App Store sales fall far short of those seen for iOS apps. We spoke with John Casasanta of iOS developer taptaptap, who shared that his Camera+ application typically pulls in 8,000-12,000 downloads per day when it is ranked around #14 in the overall paid apps for the iOS App Store. Of course, 743 sales on peak day may be better than Schultz might have done through traditional channels or direct online sales. The average sales price for iOS apps also appears to be much lower than Mac Apps, which may also contribute to the volume discrepancy.

Apple is of course working hard to drive adoption of the Mac App Store, opting to distribute its forthcoming OS X Lion exclusively through the store. The company has also released its new Final Cut Pro X apps and other titles such as Aperture, iWork, and iLife through the store. With the Mac App Store set to take on an even larger role in OS X Lion with the addition of such features as in-app purchases and push notifications, Apple is clearly pushing forward in its attempts to replicate the success of the iOS App Store on the Mac platform.

Article Link: Ahead of OS X Lion, Mac App Store Sales Numbers Still Small

As is now plainly obvious, all the other current electronic stores selling compiled software that are not called applications because that's OUR word are detracting from Apple's brand name and must be shut down. Consumer confusion and all that.

 

[sashafeaster]

I launched the App Store once to LOL at all the terrible FCPX reviews, but that's about it. I personally don't like the idea of things being exclusive to the App Store; I miss the little things like Apple stickers and printed manuals!

Obviously I'll use it for 10.7 because I'm forced to, but overall I am going to continue pursuing other methods of purchase.

its green n thats what we all need to start going better so i like the mac app store n i know it will be better as time go's on i can wait... also i buy my apps iphone mac whatev im not only into free i work so i can buy my **** lol but i do c ur point about alot of bad apps but thats in the dev's hands

 

[andrewsd]

Camera +

So I guess many people don't read the full article or just aren't reLly commenting on how much camera+ is banking for their developer every day.

I know the article is about the Mac app store and not the iOS app store but still what numbers. Plus just give it time the Mac app store will gain ground but just at a lot slower pace. Either way still doubt they would have made as much if their app was distributed in the "traditional" way.

 

[Ted Witcher]

Still prefer buying directly from the small developer myself. Apple has how many billions (with a b) in the bank? They don't need 30% of my money. Support your developers by buying from their own websites. Give them 100% of your money.

So they can then give the 30% over to somebody else to pay for the bandwidth and credit card processing fees, and how about the marketing? Yeah, great idea.

Look: if it actually did cost them money, there wouldn't be any apps in the damn store, would there? You think devs don't have calculators?

 

[DrNeroCF]

This shows that Apple is out of touch, just like when they removed the disk drives.

It will be a good day when the narcissist Steve Jobs leaves Apple. Maybe not good for their stock short-term, but if they play their cards right then maybe Apple could continue to be a major player in Consumer IT.

They should forget about the Enterprise Market--Jobs killed any chance years ago with his stubborn Ego unwilling to license Mac OS. He was even sent a letter by Bill Gates to license (before Windows), but he ignored it.

http://www.macobserver.com/columns/thisweek/2004/20040630.shtml

And we all know what a dire state of emergency Apple is now in because of that :|

 

[Joelb955]

My Gateway to supporting developers.

I Used to have to pirate my games and apps that i couldn't get in stores, Im not old enough to have a credit card so with the app store i can actually BUY all of my apps! I love this i have purchased over 30 apps already. Like Game maker For mac(My favorite app). This has amazing potential, and i like the idea of buying "Apple Cash"(iTunes Gift Card) then using that for all of my music and apps. Now the way microsoft is going to implement this in windows 8 sounds interesting...

 

[irwcll94]

This is misleading... #3 in paid games in the Mac App Store equals about #20 in all apps. While #20 in all apps in the iOS store still generates a ton more revenue, its not as bad as the article makes it seem.

 

[Ted Witcher]

Here's a question: I have the latest Pages (iWork '09) on my computer, but it never showed up as installed on the App Store. I stopped following this stuff since the MAS was introduced... did Apple ever resolve these conflicts or indicate a workaround (besides spending $20 anew on something I already own)? Will I never be able to update my Pages again unless I re-buy it from the MAS?

Other than this hiccup, I quite like the store. They do have to figure out the trial version/demo thing, however. That's essential to buying software, and it surprises me that they don't think so. All it would take would be a copy that stops working after a set time period (like we have now), and then you buy another download, the proper download, that installs over top of it. Wouldn't really change the basic functionality of the store.

 

[sashafeaster]

Still prefer buying directly from the small developer myself. Apple has how many billions (with a b) in the bank? They don't need 30% of my money. Support your developers by buying from their own websites. Give them 100% of your money.

ya 100% on that but only if there green downloads i want nothing to do wit cd dvd so green is for me! so apple get my 30% till that happens

 

[Don Kosak]

So they can then give the 30% over to somebody else to pay for the bandwidth and credit card processing fees, and how about the marketing? Yeah, great idea.

Look: if it actually did cost them money, there wouldn't be any apps in the damn store, would there? You think devs don't have calculators?

+1

I run a small (micro? nano?) sized software business and I look at the hosting and credit card processing and CS/Chargeback/CDN trivia you need now days. All of that stuff is maybe 10% of the total.

Then I look at the cost for frankly overpriced and low performing web advertisements to bring people to my website... Every time I run the numbers it comes out at over 30% (best case) and for oversold keywords it's much worse.

For new and "unknown" products without a large brand or word-of-mouth following, the Mac (and iOS) versions of the App Store are a bargain.

 

[firewood]

So while he made $2,500 that day, apple made $1,071 with their 30% cut. I can't figure out why developers would be willing to hand over that much to apple?

Simple.

Ask the developer how many copies he would have sold from his own web site that same day if his app wasn't in the App store and compare the two total revenues. That's why he gave Apple $1,071.

 

[Mal]

Still prefer buying directly from the small developer myself. Apple has how many billions (with a b) in the bank? They don't need 30% of my money. Support your developers by buying from their own websites. Give them 100% of your money.

Do you mail them the cash, a blank disk, and the postage to send it back? If not, they're not getting 100% of your money. If they use any payment processing system combined with hosting and other services, chances are they're already losing more than the 30% that Apple charges. Get off your high horse and realize that this is good for developers.

jW

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Do you mail them the cash, a blank disk, and the postage to send it back? If not, they're not getting 100% of your money. If they use any payment processing system combined with hosting and other services, chances are they're already losing more than the 30% that Apple charges. Get off your high horse and realize that this is good for developers.

jW

Not really. Does Apple pay for web hosting for developers? No. So developers would need to maintain a website anyway. And most distribution is digital, with a CD key, so there's very little additional expense, and 30% of the benifit.