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Apple Seeking to Stimulate Mac Development With $99 Mac Dev Program
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The computing market is fracturing. Hate to throw a car analogy but it's like the car market today where on one end you have massive numbers of appliance cars with automatic and plastic covers over the engines to the bane of auto enthusiasts and on the other end you have cars with manual and more gauges and tinkering options which don't sell very well.
Apple is positioning the iPhone platform for the first more mobile market and OS X for the second more stationary market. There will be an open App store for the Mac just because it works so well but nothing more. Unlike the clean slate iPhone, the technical challenges to lock down such a platform with billion dollar developers that Apple can't afford to lose are neigh insurmountable.
I for one welcome our new $99 overlords.
Watching with great interest as details are clarified.
Most of the questions in previous posts are answered on, or just off, the landing page for the new programme: http://developer.apple.com/programs/mac/.
Watching with great interest as details are clarified.
Most of the questions in previous posts are answered on, or just off, the landing page for the new programme: http://developer.apple.com/programs/mac/.
I think a Mac App Store would be pretty great. I already notice most Mac Apps are actually listed on the Apple website, which is such a handy resource. But, I'd hope *still* to be able to download from the Devs website and not just on the 'Mac App Store'. Would be good for something like Software update to do everything.
Another but, with more Devs out there, that'll probably lead to trashy apps.. One thing I LOVE about Mac is the Apps.. they're so well designed and everything is in order... Most my Google searches seem to be things like: Bento for Windows etc etc.
!!
Great work though!
Another but, with more Devs out there, that'll probably lead to trashy apps.. One thing I LOVE about Mac is the Apps.. they're so well designed and everything is in order... Most my Google searches seem to be things like: Bento for Windows etc etc.
!!Great work though!
You obviously don't get what "software model" means, just like several others. No-one is talking about replacing OSX with iPhone OS - the "software model" people are talking about here is an App Store for OSX applications.
Typical knee-jerk response based on minimal facts. You're already talking about OSX in the past tense, for crying out loud, and of abandoning the platform based on your own incorrect assumptions.
Exactly.
Besides, if they include a Mac OS X Application store it will be there to help Commercial and Free App Developers have a single point of marketing.
One won't be restricted to selling through the store only for Desktop/Server applications.
Awesome! Mac appstore!
Sure, this can cause problems like impulse buying. Hopefully, developers will constantly improve their products like ridding bugs and enhancing. At last, Apple is leading the digital download world. I will now further use my devices even more. I am sure the prices will be less than the boxed versions but hopefully not like the iPhone app store. Perhaps, apple is going this way because we are at last going into a true fast internet world.
Sure, this can cause problems like impulse buying. Hopefully, developers will constantly improve their products like ridding bugs and enhancing. At last, Apple is leading the digital download world. I will now further use my devices even more. I am sure the prices will be less than the boxed versions but hopefully not like the iPhone app store. Perhaps, apple is going this way because we are at last going into a true fast internet world.
Why would you?
Apple are trying to create another revenue stream. Nothing more. Lower cost = more members = more money.
As soon as there are enough people paying $99 some elements of the mac os api or sdk will become subscription only. The "Other guys" offer a wealth of development material, videos, case studies, documents and tools for free.
The problems with the app store approval process are well documented. Why would you spend 6 or 12 months developing an application just to have Apple refuse to publish it or worse have some future version of Mac OS treat "Apple approved apps" differently.
Just my 2 cents.
Apple are trying to create another revenue stream. Nothing more. Lower cost = more members = more money.
As soon as there are enough people paying $99 some elements of the mac os api or sdk will become subscription only. The "Other guys" offer a wealth of development material, videos, case studies, documents and tools for free.
The problems with the app store approval process are well documented. Why would you spend 6 or 12 months developing an application just to have Apple refuse to publish it or worse have some future version of Mac OS treat "Apple approved apps" differently.
Just my 2 cents.
AppStore for OS X ...exclusive or not ?
I guess all bits lead to the AppStore for OS X. The real question would be, will it be exclusive source of software as it is on the iPhone ? If this all means the iPhone will get non-exclusive, so we'll be able to legally download app from the other sources (yes those non-secure, potentially harmful ones that will eventually spy us or do other nasty things...but I like to have a choice) on the iPhone as well, this is great news. If Apple keeps on its walled garden approach, I hope they get rather rejected by users.
I guess all bits lead to the AppStore for OS X. The real question would be, will it be exclusive source of software as it is on the iPhone ? If this all means the iPhone will get non-exclusive, so we'll be able to legally download app from the other sources (yes those non-secure, potentially harmful ones that will eventually spy us or do other nasty things...but I like to have a choice) on the iPhone as well, this is great news. If Apple keeps on its walled garden approach, I hope they get rather rejected by users.
if this turns out to bring a mac app store. then it better be so much better than the iphone app store. better selection process. most of the stuff on the iphone app store is useless rubbish. it would be nice to have an app store on my mac to browse around and have all the apps in one place, but as long as your not restricted to only using the apps provided in the app store like iphone. and if so, then they had better give us a wide selection range with all the popular apps
if we're restricted to these apps, and their useless rubbish like iphone store. then i wont be happy.
if we're restricted to these apps, and their useless rubbish like iphone store. then i wont be happy.
That's the beauty of it though, if Apple did have a Mac app-store they'd still have the traditional distribution channels too. There's no way they would, or even could clamp down on app development in a way that people are *forced* into using the app-store on osX.
So a developer can sell the traditional way *and* on the appstore, really makes little difference if there's a approval delay, the software would still get distributed. Some devs would want to play it safe to ensure their app/game gets on the store but others would still make content they know wouldn't be allowed in due to the content (or whatever) - exactly like Steam on Windows..
hate to be the debbie downer, but all i see is bad news in regard to this based on the recent history witnessed by all with the current app store and apple's recent history of stifling/stealing devs' innovations.
1. apple wants more control over the Mac environment. all of you HOPING for a Mac "app store" better not have peeped over the past few weeks as apple decided to take down anything "sexually suggestive" from the app store. no goole voice, no care? so rethink it a bit... a central repository for Mac software that apple can and WILL censor. FYI, apple just removed all "wi-fi hotspot finders" from the app store. LOVE THIS NEW FOUND FREEDOM.
2. snow leopard! it's the dawning of the 10.6.3 update and still no swaths of feature creep? loads of software still not fully 64-bit compatible? a lot of apple's own software isnt yet up to date... so while they're busy working on that, they're gonna make it cheaper for you to give them fresh ideas and new, innovative features for 10.6.4. they would much prefer you have a stable release and not just a concept. remember Quicksilver? yeah. at least it's now only $99 for you to submit your best ideas for their plundering. even Tim Cook recently downplayed the $40mil they have sitting right now but isnt considering any large acquisitions.
yeah. it's ready to buy out fresh ideas for the next wave of feature creep. some is also for hush money when apple releases someone else's app as a "core feature upgrade" they had been "planning long before" and that it's just another "coincidence that occurs when good minds think similarly, but great ones have a team of lawyers
3. the feature gap created by the iPad. it will sync with your Mac or PC, but that's not enough. the apps, especially ones like Apple's own iPad version of iWork, will have to do more than just sync Pages docs over iTunes. it is this brand new ecosystem that will likely be the focus, hence the dramatic drop in dev program fees and their quickness to try and liken it now to the iPhone dev program. they want iPhone people working on iPad apps that will have to stretch beyond on-device apps for it to be truly "magical".
as grim as it looks, i truly hope my third supporting statement is the direction they're going. if they're heading out with the first two as marching orders, all we'll be able to do is hope they tighten the collar slowly enough that we pass out before realizing we've been strangled.
i remember a time over 10 years ago when steve jobs used to believe in choice. how times have changed.
1. apple wants more control over the Mac environment. all of you HOPING for a Mac "app store" better not have peeped over the past few weeks as apple decided to take down anything "sexually suggestive" from the app store. no goole voice, no care? so rethink it a bit... a central repository for Mac software that apple can and WILL censor. FYI, apple just removed all "wi-fi hotspot finders" from the app store. LOVE THIS NEW FOUND FREEDOM.
2. snow leopard! it's the dawning of the 10.6.3 update and still no swaths of feature creep? loads of software still not fully 64-bit compatible? a lot of apple's own software isnt yet up to date... so while they're busy working on that, they're gonna make it cheaper for you to give them fresh ideas and new, innovative features for 10.6.4. they would much prefer you have a stable release and not just a concept. remember Quicksilver? yeah. at least it's now only $99 for you to submit your best ideas for their plundering. even Tim Cook recently downplayed the $40mil they have sitting right now but isnt considering any large acquisitions.
yeah. it's ready to buy out fresh ideas for the next wave of feature creep. some is also for hush money when apple releases someone else's app as a "core feature upgrade" they had been "planning long before" and that it's just another "coincidence that occurs when good minds think similarly, but great ones have a team of lawyers
3. the feature gap created by the iPad. it will sync with your Mac or PC, but that's not enough. the apps, especially ones like Apple's own iPad version of iWork, will have to do more than just sync Pages docs over iTunes. it is this brand new ecosystem that will likely be the focus, hence the dramatic drop in dev program fees and their quickness to try and liken it now to the iPhone dev program. they want iPhone people working on iPad apps that will have to stretch beyond on-device apps for it to be truly "magical".
as grim as it looks, i truly hope my third supporting statement is the direction they're going. if they're heading out with the first two as marching orders, all we'll be able to do is hope they tighten the collar slowly enough that we pass out before realizing we've been strangled.
i remember a time over 10 years ago when steve jobs used to believe in choice. how times have changed.
Mac OS X development doesn't need provisioning profiles.
iPhones (unless jailbroken) can only run signed code. Macs can run any old code that is compiled for them.
As long as a Mac app store doesn't preclude one from installing outside apps I'm all for it too.
Todays Macs can run any old code, tomorrows Macs?
Apple dislikes flash = flash not available on some Apple hardware.
Apple dislikes app = app not available on some Apple hardware.
Apple dislikes ppc = java 1.6 not available on some Apple hardware.
These are small steps, but all in the wrong direction imo
My thoughts exactly!
There is already an ad site for Mac OSX apps on the download section on the Apple Website.
Personally, I couldnt care less for the Mac Store. Bring on the Pre Release software and cheaper price.
Cospiracies Apple locking down apps on Mac OSX are unfounded. Apple isnt that stupid. The most I can see them doing is Apple certified apps in the Mac App Store.
I think Apple are trying to get to a position where their hardware very seldom crashes. Mr.Jobs sees fed up with Adobe and their Flash.
They seem to be looking at other areas of the tech market where stuff does not crash much. I guess game consoles have similar models.
Then again, a Mac store may not be Apples idea. I think the majority of developers would want a straight forward area where they can sell their goods.
Listen,
Mac OS and iPhone OS are two separate platforms, in two different markets, with two different uses and Apple's decisions regarding either platform are heavily influenced by those factors. The fact that Apple develops both of these Operating Systems does not mean that their philosophies are going to be congruent between both. What one must realize is that each platform fills a void that the other does not which is why they will have no problem co-existing. Using Snow Leopard on a touchscreen device such as the iPhone or iPad would be absolutely horrendous which is why the iPhone OS is such a necessity for Apple in their mobile device operations. On the flipside using iPhone OS on an iMac or Mac Pro as it's sole Operating System would be equally horrendous due to the fact that it's restrictive, simplistic, and lacks the functionality that is necessary for professionals to conduct business with. So to summarize both OS' need each other and work hand and hand to help Apple keep it's dominance in the electronics industry. Will we see some consolidation between the two somewhere down the road? Maybe. But seeing that iPhone OS IS OS X there is already consolidation seeing that they are both the OS with a different layer so to speak on top of each.
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Access to prerelease software and tech support for $99. I think this is exactly what Adobe has been waiting for.
We may finally get a stable, optimized version of Flash Player!
Access to prerelease software and tech support for $99. I think this is exactly what Adobe has been waiting for.
We may finally get a stable, optimized version of Flash Player!
I agree! Furthermore, iPhone platform, you also have to make At&t happy per contract. At&t had some influence on what can be allowed, i.e. google voice, voip, etc.
They have always had free ADC membership. Everybody can download Mac SDK and create any software with it.
NO, this would not be great. I already have Apple controlling what I can do with my iPhone, I DO NOT want them controlling what I can do with my Mac. The same sorts of stupid rejection of iPhone apps would be coming for desktops as well. And since most new Mac users will probably use the store, it will hurt devs who can't get in the store, or don't want in, thus hurting all of us in the long run.
Not to mention that of the 170,000 (or however more) apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch, probably a good 70% or more are worthless. Apple seems to like to tout the quantity, but as we all know, it's quality that counts. Remember 1983 folks??? The video game crash? Their was plenty of quantity to go around, no quality.
I'm all for a store if Apple just chooses to be a store, and sell Mac apps. Not get into the censorship game, or actually telling devs how to develop. Just sell the stuff as Amazon or any other etailer would. Then I may be on board.
I mean, how bloated can iTunes get? It used to be for playing music, now it's everything but the kitchen sink. How about a slim/fast music player Apple???
I think you need some Prozac Debbie and just sniff the roses. Everythign will be OK. For Apple to gain the type of control it has with the iPhone/Touch/iPad it would have to literally seize it from Mac users and then lock out titles not sold on its store with updated OS X s/w and h/w. That is rather "unpossible" 26 years after the Mac's intro. No Mac user would stand for that, as a computer system is expected to be more open than a consumer device, which the iPad/iPhone/Touch are.
Are you familiar with Occam's Razor? That perfectly explains what Apple is doing -- Apple see's how the App/Music/Video Stores have launched the iPhone/Touch's success & think a similar store for Macs will do the same for that product. But a Mac App Store does not mean all 3rd party sellers can only sell there, or must sell there. It's literally just another store.
MacApp Store that follows the same restrictions as iPhone? It wouldn't take much for Apple to lock down OSX and requires signing and Apple coming out with the "think of the children" line.
No thanks. We don't need to be told by Apple what applications we can / cannot run on our desk tops. Developers don't need to be told the type of software they can develop.
Additionally, if there is a race to the bottom basement price, like the AppStore, will hurt developers. Software is not cheap to develop and you cannot make a good amount of income on 99c per sale on OSX.
AppStore - there is already one... macUpdate / versiontracker.
However....
If this is purely a relaunch of ADC, then this is a good direction and very good value for $99.
I can't see Apple *ever* charging for its Developer tools... free SDK encourage Application development... paid for SDKs do not. Saying that, XCode would do with plenty of improvements to move it from an "OK" IDE to "Great" IDE.
No thanks. We don't need to be told by Apple what applications we can / cannot run on our desk tops. Developers don't need to be told the type of software they can develop.
Additionally, if there is a race to the bottom basement price, like the AppStore, will hurt developers. Software is not cheap to develop and you cannot make a good amount of income on 99c per sale on OSX.
AppStore - there is already one... macUpdate / versiontracker.
However....
If this is purely a relaunch of ADC, then this is a good direction and very good value for $99.
I can't see Apple *ever* charging for its Developer tools... free SDK encourage Application development... paid for SDKs do not. Saying that, XCode would do with plenty of improvements to move it from an "OK" IDE to "Great" IDE.
