Apple Shuts Down Mac OS X Download Listing, Moving to App Store

[dfs]

Store and Dashboard thoughts

A few comments. First, if by Jan. 6 Apple is going to take down its Downloads page, there’s a strong presumption that OSX.6.6 will be released by that date, substituting a link to the Store to the current link to that page. Second, and more generally, the Store is going to be an obvious boon to shareware developers. I’m not so sure about the big boys. Certainly companies like Adobe that use proprietary s. n. versification schemes aren’t going to be enthusiastic, if the Store doesn’t let them continue doing this. Third, when Dashboard was released I kept telling myself to look forward to the killer widgets that were bound to come. They never really did, and Apple itself certainly never released any (including the special widgets it solemnly promised to give .Mac subscribers) . So I gradually stopped using Dashboard, particularly because of its memory-consumption implications. But I suppose I’d go back to it if a totally compelling widget were to appear.

 

[tigress666]

The Mac App store will only feature a particular type of app: one that is fully self contained and doesn't alter the look and feel of the Mac. Any interesting enhancement, mail plug-in or complex app that needs to install other supporting files isn't welcome in the store.

That means other download sites will continue to be necessary, but their traffic volumes will shrink because the general public will naïvely assume that if it's not in the Mac App Store it doesn't exist.

If the general public does get into their heads that the Mac App Store is the only place to get Mac software there is significant risk that the Mac will be seen a just a big iPad, a toy that can't run "real software".

Mac market share will make a very fast U-turn if people get it into their heads that Macs can't run business software.

In my mind the big losers in all this are companies not named Microsoft or Adobe that make complex software. They will be forced to buy advertising in the Mac App Store or risk being completely forgotten.

You know, this is the first good argument I've seen for why the app store may not be a good thing.

I don't buy the apple is trying to make it a closed system, I think Apple is not that stupid. But I do think you may have a point that it could still effectively cause that to happen cause I do think that you'd find people who think that is the only place you get.

But I'll counter that probably a lot of users already don't know you can get those add-ons and stuff. If I wasn't on here I'd never know about Pathfinder (which I'm not honestly sure is worth the money) and the only internet stuff I have is when I'm seriously interested in finding some functionality (I only have one other add on and a budget software). And I don't think that not finding it on the app store would stop me from looking elsewhere but it probably would be the first place I look so more likely will get something there if I can find it.

Plus I have this habit at least with my iphone of perusing what apps are available when I'm bored (something I don't do with the mac, I only have looked when I actually need something and usually am a bit hesitant about buying stuff from online vendors I've never heard of until I searched for something). Which ends up with random impulse buy of something I'd not have bought if there wasn't an app store for me to browse when I'm bored.

So I think you may have a point, but I wonder how much that effect would play out cause probably those same people you worry about probably wouldn't have looked for new apps online for their computer in the first place and might only cause now they know where to go.

 

[Mr. Gates]

A few comments. First, if by Jan. 6 Apple is going to take down its Downloads page, there’s a strong presumption that OSX.6.6 will be released by that date, substituting a link to the Store to the current link to that page. Second, and more generally, the Store is going to be an obvious boon to shareware developers. I’m not so sure about the big boys. Certainly companies like Adobe that use proprietary s. n. versification schemes aren’t going to be enthusiastic, if the Store doesn’t let them continue doing this. Third, when Dashboard was released I kept telling myself to look forward to the killer widgets that were bound to come. They never really did, and Apple itself certainly never released any (including the special widgets it solemnly promised to give .Mac subscribers) . So I gradually stopped using Dashboard, particularly because of its memory-consumption implications. But I suppose I’d go back to it if a totally compelling widget were to appear.

You are halve right ,

It will be 6.6.6

And you will bow down and suckle from the Social fodder.

Your mother PINGS tracks in Hell ..

LOL

 

[Žalgiris]

Having same stuff on Apple software, MacUpdate, and VersionTracker seems to be little redundant.

 

[Cougarcat]

Having same stuff on Apple software, MacUpdate, and VersionTracker seems to be little redundant.

All we have now is MacUpdate, so it's no longer redundant. Just don't go away, MacUpdate.

 

[Žalgiris]

All we have now is MacUpdate, so it's no longer redundant. Just don't go away, MacUpdate.

iUseThis

 

[giosaccone]

Something is moving...........

 

[Full of Win]

Bad thing, since now dev's have to pay money to Apple, and play by their rules, if they want mention.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

You read wrong. Free apps are definitely allowed. Demo apps are not, but free apps are allowed, even possibly encouraged.

jW

Okay, I missed that part. Good to hear! Strange no demo apps, I mean, at least allow devs to have say a "Try" button that downloads a demo in addition to the "Buy" button... Driving people the devs website is great and all, but too many people will ignore it because it costs money.

Just look how well free trial versions work on the App Store for iOS!

 

[Sparced]

When will Apple launch a Games Centre for OS X? If games are going to be prominent listing on the new AppStore it would be great to have achievements and trophies.

It's going to quickly dwarf Steam's Mac user base and if all the same big developers come to play, RockStar, BioWare, it would be nice to be awarded and a gamerscore kept to improve Apples social networking portfolio.

Hopefully with Lion theyll add the feature but really it should have been included already.

 

[filmweaver]

Am I reading this right? One step closer to the cloud, all the vendors are prepping us for the change and it seems like Jobs is again leading the pack. This is fine for high speed but rural America will be left in a cloud of dust, myself included because we have no high speed and can't get it. I feel less and less support for my MAC. As it is now I have to download in the middle of the night for unlimited access via satellite off hours. I really wish Apple would prove they are really a different kind of company and not follow the pack to the cloud.

 

[MacNut]

Yes because it is so hard to search for software and download it on its own that I need everything fed to me in the app store.

 

[blahblah100]

Regardless what either one of you think about him he can buy both you guys out a million times over. He's laughing at you all the way to the bank while you sit here behind a computer talking ish about him.

Yes, and Bill Gates can buy him out multiple times over. What is your point?

(Btw, how do you know they are only worth $6,100?)

 

[blahblah100]

Am I reading this right? One step closer to the cloud, all the vendors are prepping us for the change and it seems like Jobs is again leading the pack. This is fine for high speed but rural America will be left in a cloud of dust, myself included because we have no high speed and can't get it. I feel less and less support for my MAC. As it is now I have to download in the middle of the night for unlimited access via satellite off hours. I really wish Apple would prove they are really a different kind of company and not follow the pack to the cloud.

Which is it?

 

[Steve121178]

Regardless what either one of you think about him he can buy both you guys out a million times over. He's laughing at you all the way to the bank while you sit here behind a computer talking ish about him.

You are under the impression that he cares about people? Odd.

 

[Steve121178]

Bad thing, since now dev's have to pay money to Apple, and play by their rules, if they want mention.

What's to stop them raising prices to make up for the cut Apple will take?

 

[macsmurf]

What's to stop them raising prices to make up for the cut Apple will take?

Fewer customers?

Autodesk Sketchbook Pro costs around $100. Autodesk would have to raise the price to $143 to pay off Apple. I find it rather improbable that Autodesk today spend $30 for each copy they sell online.

 

[chaosbunny]

Regardless what either one of you think about him he can buy both you guys out a million times over. He's laughing at you all the way to the bank while you sit here behind a computer talking ish about him.

You are so right! Obviously the only way to measure a persons value is the amount of money a person has. How dare someone to critizise a billionaire? They are after all better human beings than all of us stupid sheeps posting here. Everybody knows that a billionaire is always right.

 

[angelneo]

Fewer customers?

Autodesk Sketchbook Pro costs around $100. Autodesk would have to raise the price to $143 to pay off Apple. I find it rather improbable that Autodesk today spend $30 for each copy they sell online.

Autodesk can sell it $143 through the app store but $100 on their own website. Is there anything to stop that?

 

[womble2k2]

So what about those users who have a non-intel Mac? I know the number of users is dropping, but there are still a lot of machines around which cannot upgrade to Snow Leopard or above.

They won't be able to have the Mac App Store, and now losing the downloads page.

I good compromised by Apple would be keep the OS X downloads page for PPC versions of software only. There would obviously be the option for Intel users to run Rosetta to run the PPC apps, but I think over time, the convenience of the App Store would prevent this.

How will the App Store deal with Shareware? It will be free to download but users would then buy a license from the software developers website? Would this result in all software becoming shareware?

Phil

 

[wirelessmacuser]

I don't buy the apple is trying to make it a closed system,

Apples already closed, this takes it one step further. Steve controls / censors everything.

I think Apple is not that stupid.

No their not, it's brilliant from a money making standpoint. In addition they've got their followers so well programmed they will defend no matter what the price is in both cash & loss of freedom. After all it removes their need to think for themselves. A huge relief. No need to think. No fear. Let Uncle Steve do the thinking for you.

 

[macsmurf]

Autodesk can sell it $143 through the app store but $100 on their own website. Is there anything to stop that?

Yes. Apple can stop it if they want to but I doubt they will (at this time). On the other hand, Autodesk will probably not be allowed to refer to their website from the App Store and customers will have no reason to think that the product is significantly cheaper if downloaded directly.

 

[gnasher729]

Maybe I'm cynical but what this is saying is something along the lines of:

"If you are a Mac developer and want exposure through an official Apple channel you will sell through the Mac App Store and give us a 30% cut rather providing free listing on the previous Mac Download List."

You seem to be so hung up on what you call "a 30% cut". What kind of software distribution to you think a Mac Developer can use that will cost less than 30%?

Fewer customers?

Autodesk Sketchbook Pro costs around $100. Autodesk would have to raise the price to $143 to pay off Apple. I find it rather improbable that Autodesk today spend $30 for each copy they sell online.

I find it rather improbable that Autodesk spent nothing at all. Maybe they spent $29 for each copy, in which case your "$143" is way, way off. Plus there is free advertising now.

How will the App Store deal with Shareware? It will be free to download but users would then buy a license from the software developers website? Would this result in all software becoming shareware?

No demoversions on the app store. Whatever you buy there must be completely usable as it is, those are the app store rules. However, instead of one in ten downloaders paying $20, as an example, the developer can now charge say $4.99 and everyone who downloads it has to pay.

 

[roadbloc]

So what happens to the menu item?

 

[womble2k2]

So what happens to the menu item?

It will become MAC OS X App Store... in the 10.6.6 update.