Mac App Store Still on Track for January 2011 Launch

[Žalgiris]

You need to lay off the Apple cider!!!!! These apps will never be accepted!!! I would even bet any app that directly competes with Apple apps will be rejected. I assume that you think PwnageTool will also be accepted in the Mac app store with open arms. In due time all Mac's will be in lock down and you won't be able to install anything without Apple approving it. After all Steve and company only want to protect you and save you from harm. All major credit cards accepted.

PwnageTool directly violates Apple rules. Torrent apps can be used for good and for evil just as knife can be used to dice some vegetables and also to kill, just like web browser can be used to search for info and to download stuff from rapidshare. There is no black and white here for most part.

 

[Tyler23]

I think what's missing here is that while apple may or may not ever prevent third party apps using third party distribution methods, non-app store apps may be depreciated- officially or unofficially. Even in the most positive of lights, with apple using the app store to more tightly control apps and their installation, they will likely be able to implement features that only apply to app store apps, making app store apps more attractive.

Also, while power users may always be aware of the benefits of non-regulated, non-app store apps, the average user would likely gravitate towards the app store thus making it difficult financially for non-app store apps to compete.

In the end, I believe that if the app store is the success that apple wants it to be, it would benefit the average user to the detriment of the power user. But then again, that's the way its been for a while (and it does make sense for apple). However much we (the macrumors minority) complain that what apple does isn't necessary the best thing to do, the things that apple does do helps apple sell to the more general public. (e.g. selling a relatively feature limited iPad upset some of us who thought it could do a lot more than be a bigger iPod, but apple probably sold a lot more iPads because it was as simple as it was).

Well I think you have a point here, but then again, think about the really average user. Chances are, they aren't out searching dev's sites for software, they are most likely just either getting by with the software they have or checking the download section on apple.com. I'm not meaning to say this as a fact, just what I think, and what is quite possibly true for the majority. It is mainly more serious mac users that are scouring dev's sites, so for the average user I think they will benefit from having the app store.

Also, if an average user is really that intent on finding a program and they can't find it on the app store, it seems logical that they'd start digging around the web and end up on dev's sites. I don't think developers will be hurt too much by this. If anything, I think a little more traffic composed of average users may be directed to dev's sites, as a user may find an app he/she is interested in on the app store and subsequently check out the site of origin.

The app store is also not bad for us regular mac users. It's just another tool for finding apps, so if we want an easy way to search for apps, or just to browse and find apps we may not have otherwise found, the app store is great. Or, we could just continue to search for programs as we always have, and let the app store be.

 

[Jaro65]

Outside of the Macbook Air, this was a VERY bland year for Mac. Can't wait until next year. There is finally good stuff coming.

Well, what about the new iMac with double drives (SSD+HD)? I thought that was a very nice refresh.