How would you rate the Mac App Store so far?

[Patrick946]

I have an iPhone 4 and an older Macbook, and I was trying to decide between getting an iPad and trading in my Macbook for a Macbook Air. I decided on the MBA because it has a full keyboard, and because Lion is supposedly bringing iOS style improvements to OSX.

So how does the Mac App Store compare to the App Store for iOS? Am I going to be missing out on a lot of iPad specific apps, or will the iPhone and MBA cover most things? Also, overall is it just a different way to sell the same software, or are there a lot of unique apps for it?

 

[roadbloc]

Its okay I guess. I find it's just filled with indie developers apps or Asypr's game porting efforts.

 

[DustinT]

At this point there's not a lot to see. It does work well but there's such a strong distribution model already in place that the App store will have to seriously earn developers business.

I'd say its a bit of a work in progress strictly because of that. I have used it several times and it does work well but its certainly not a must have feature at this point.

 

[Hankster]

I agree the Mac App Store is a nice to have right now, though I can see soon it will become a major selling platform for developers.

But, there's a lot of red tape with the Mac App Store that restricts developers in many ways.

 

[maflynn]

So far its been pretty good. To be honest, at this point in my Mac usage. I'm not buying a lot of software. I own just about all that I need.

 

[CylonGlitch]

I've found a few things there that I wouldn't have found otherwise. I like the way it keeps me up-to-date; and it is the FIRST place I look when looking for software.

But it is not the only place; it's just too small right now. But it is growing and I expect it to do quite well in the long run. I know that if/when I get my software done, it's going to be on there.

 

[Mitchelino]

I rate it highly. It simplifies the process a lot for me. I love a secure store with an easy payment method. The only thing I dislike is the mandatory taxes (where applicable), which are not always required when buying directly from developers. I hope to see the catalog of applications increase with time, as the selection is currently limited. Considering it's only a few months old, I think the Mac App Store is a great place to find (and even buy) software.

 

[Hankster]

I rate it highly. It simplifies the process a lot for me. I love a secure store with an easy payment method. The only thing I dislike is the mandatory taxes (where applicable), which are not always required when buying directly from developers. I hope to see the catalog of applications increase with time, as the selection is currently limited. Considering it's only a few months old, I think the Mac App Store is a great place to find (and even buy) software.

The Mac App Store is definitely a great place to find apps and it's only a matter of time before more and more powerful and popular apps are available. I have a friend who's an editor for Inside Mac Apps - http://www.insidemacapps.com - and he's interviewed a bunch of mac app developers, they ALL say they LOVE developing mac apps but HATE the red tape. Apparently it's a real pain.

In a year the Mac App Store will be as popular as the App Store is for iPhone and iPad...only a matter of time.

 

[darkhost]

I just love the fact that I don't have to make a trip to the store to buy a program, it's right there in front of me.

 

[clientsiman]

I still prefer to buy directly from the developers but I guess it is a step in the right direction.