A simple idea for making the Mac App Store more convenient: offer tight integration for apps with both desktop and mobile versions. Apple should provide a streamlined, consistent syncing protocol and an official way to sell bundles of both Mac and iOS versions at a discount.
One of the first things I noticed when I started buying iOS apps (like Things, OmniFocus, and now Yojimbo) is that there was no consistent method to sync the mobile app with the Mac app. If Apple is now selling both apps through their app stores, and both apps are registered to the same iTunes account, then perhaps a free "MobileMe"-style syncing options could be made available. Apple could append this feature to the official multi-tasking options (like background audio) and provide a new API for the Mac apps. Apple would have to review and approve both apps and it would control the syncing servers, which should keep any security issues to a minimum (at least from Apple's point of view). It would also encourage the much hyped "halo" effect of encouraging iPhone users to buy Macs.
On a more practical note, Apple could allow developers with both desktop and mobile versions to bundle their apps at a discount. Since Apple now controls both App Stores and they both use the same authentication system (iTunes), this would be trivial to implement. Apple could even lead the way here by bundling the next iWork suite for Mac with the iPad versions.
I'm not 100% sold on the idea of a Mac App Store, at least not yet, but features like this would certainly make it more appealing.
One of the first things I noticed when I started buying iOS apps (like Things, OmniFocus, and now Yojimbo) is that there was no consistent method to sync the mobile app with the Mac app. If Apple is now selling both apps through their app stores, and both apps are registered to the same iTunes account, then perhaps a free "MobileMe"-style syncing options could be made available. Apple could append this feature to the official multi-tasking options (like background audio) and provide a new API for the Mac apps. Apple would have to review and approve both apps and it would control the syncing servers, which should keep any security issues to a minimum (at least from Apple's point of view). It would also encourage the much hyped "halo" effect of encouraging iPhone users to buy Macs.
On a more practical note, Apple could allow developers with both desktop and mobile versions to bundle their apps at a discount. Since Apple now controls both App Stores and they both use the same authentication system (iTunes), this would be trivial to implement. Apple could even lead the way here by bundling the next iWork suite for Mac with the iPad versions.
I'm not 100% sold on the idea of a Mac App Store, at least not yet, but features like this would certainly make it more appealing.