Mac App Store to Open January 6th

[swarmster]

Try http://macupdate.com

If the software isn't there, then its probably not available for OSX.

So OS X is already "pseudo closed"? By that statement, you apparently need to be on MacUpdate or you're not even worth looking for (I never visit MacUpdate, for what it's worth).

I guess that term is just completely nonsensical to me. Either you can independently program and distribute an application for an operating system or you can't.

 

[charlituna]

"The App Store revolutionized mobile apps," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "We hope to do the same for PC apps with the Mac App Store by making finding and buying PC apps easy and fun. We can't wait to get started on January 6."

Umm... why PC apps? Why not Mac apps?

PC as in personal computer

Keep in mind that this was a written press release and the person that wrote it done and posted it could be the one that abbreviated it not Jobs. Such things do happen, esp when someone doesn't stop for a moment to think.

I once saw a press release on a state site where someone was quoted as saying "Pubic protection is very important." Clearly someone hit spell check and forgot that it wouldn't figure out it should be public not pubic

 

[Stella]

So OS X is already "pseudo closed"? By that statement, you apparently need to be on MacUpdate or you're not even worth looking for (I never visit MacUpdate, for what it's worth).

I guess that term is just completely nonsensical to me. Either you can independently program and distribute an application for an operating system or you can't.

No, I am not saying OSX is "Pseudo closed" already and quite frankly, I don't know how it could be, at this moment in time. Additionally, I never, ever said "if your not on Macupdate then you're not worth looking for".. thats putting words in to my mouth.

A vast amount of mac software is listed on macupdate... so, there's a damned good chance of finding what you need. So, not in anyway it is the same as "if your not on Macupdate then you're not worth looking for". MacUpdate happens to be one of my favourite sources of mac applications.. so I'll recommend the website for software searches; not forgetting the daily promos. I used to like VersionTracker too.. before it got taken over.

Have a great day!

 

[ct2k7]

Try http://macupdate.com

If the software isn't there, then its probably not available for OSX.

For PHP, have you tried Eclipse with PHP plugins?

Eclipse is slow, and it isn't a complete as others. Sure it's great, but it's not as complete as I need it to be. It's also not dealing with my model-view-controller framework very well.

 

[ghostlines]

I'm looking forward to it. It's conceivable that it could be the first step to closing the platform, but oh well. If the platform closes and I'm unhappy with that, I'll move on to something else. That's the joy of being a consumer. I can vote with my feet and my dollars.

Couldn't of put it any better. All this closing down OS X talk is all FUD. I mean if you use their products up until now I think you know what kind of company Apple is. Innovators that make quality products, that are very easy to use, though have a few things tied down(no custom ringtones wtf,etc). OS X can't be closed down never! How will we develop for other iOS devices? We need a nice open environment to get that at least done.

I say bring on the AppStore a nice 'apt-get' Mac alternative. And an Installous/Cydia app will follow soon enough too for the developers who don't want to give apple 30%.

 

[hayesk]

I can understand how, for a developer - this is great and exciting news. But as a consumer - I don't see it as exciting at all. The software I want and need or discover is easily found online for paid download or can be bought and shipped.

1. How do you know there are no apps out there that you might like.
2. How do typical consumers find the apps out there. The majority of Mac owners never look for software, and have no idea what MacUpdate is.

The fact that Apple is launching a store front might make it more one stop "shopping" - but I hardly find it incredible as a consumer.

One stop shopping is the reason it'll be incredible for consumers.

 

[hayesk]

I must be the only one who isn't the least bit excited about this. I don't see myself touching it till it comes bundled with Lion and/or a new computer.

What if it sells an app you want?

 

[hayesk]

In a way , he is partially right. If the MacAppStore becomes so successful, it replaces existing websites such as MacUpdate et al, then Apple will have achieved a Pseudo closed OSX. Unless your not a small company, i.e., microsoft, the only place users will look for apps will be the appStore... if you app isn't on there, it won't sell.

Talk to developers - desktop software isn't selling now. Even on Windows - 10 years ago, if you walked into Best Buy, you'd see aisles and aisles of PC software. Now there's one aisle with photoshop, ms office, and a host of anti-virus, and norton utility software, and maybe a few games. That's it. People just aren't aware there is third party software out there.

If your product doesn't appeal to the hardcore Mac geek, or isn't MS Office, or Adobe, then your app isn't selling much now. Even Omni, the biggest Mac-only productivity software developer out there will be selling on the App store - they see it increasing exposure, and thus sales, of their software.

 

[swarmster]

No, I am not saying OSX is "Pseudo closed" already and quite frankly, I don't know how it could be, at this moment in time. Additionally, I never, ever said "if your not on Macupdate then you're not worth looking for".. thats putting words in to my mouth.

A vast amount of mac software is listed on macupdate... so, there's a damned good chance of finding what you need. So, not in anyway it is the same as "if your not on Macupdate then you're not worth looking for". MacUpdate happens to be one of my favourite sources of mac applications.. so I'll recommend the website for software searches; not forgetting the daily promos. I used to like VersionTracker too.. before it got taken over.

Have a great day!

"If the software isn't there, then its probably not available for OSX" does imply that looking elsewhere for apps is less important because MacUpdates exists - which according to some people in this thread, is closely followed by "it's not worth looking elsewhere" and finally "you can't look elsewhere even if you want to".

Isn't that the argument against the Mac App Store? That because a bunch of apps will be available from Apple, people won't look elsewhere, which somehow leads to a "pseudo closed" state? If that danger hasn't borne true as a result of MacUpdate, why is it now such a concern with Apple's store?

I'm simply trying to understand what "pseudo closed" means, as that seems to be a source of disconnect, since it has not been defined and on its face seems paradoxical. If you use a term that is undefined and don't clarify when requested, assumptions end up being made based on logic and context ("putting words in to my mouth"). I apologize if I was incorrect, but it's not clear to me that I am.

Thank you, and I hope you have a good day as well.

 

[samcraig]

1. How do you know there are no apps out there that you might like.
2. How do typical consumers find the apps out there. The majority of Mac owners never look for software, and have no idea what MacUpdate is.


One stop shopping is the reason it'll be incredible for consumers.

On point 1: How do I know? Because any app, plug in or whatever I've needed I've searched for and found. If I had a desire to do something on my computer or a problem I needed solving - I googled the problem or solution and found the appropriate software. So instead of searching on google, I would just search the Mac App store? That's only going to give me the approved apps anyway. So I will still have to search the web anyway.

2. Can you cite your source? The majority of mac owners, as a statement, is so easy to write and much harder to quantify. So feel free to show me some stats on that

I don't argue that the app store will be great for some. I just don't find it "incredible"

 

[0815]

Talk to developers - desktop software isn't selling now. Even on Windows - 10 years ago, if you walked into Best Buy, you'd see aisles and aisles of PC software. Now there's one aisle with photoshop, ms office, and a host of anti-virus, and norton utility software, and maybe a few games. That's it. People just aren't aware there is third party software out there.

If your product doesn't appeal to the hardcore Mac geek, or isn't MS Office, or Adobe, then your app isn't selling much now. Even Omni, the biggest Mac-only productivity software developer out there will be selling on the App store - they see it increasing exposure, and thus sales, of their software.

I don't think that you can make the conclusion that software isn't selling based on the reduction of shelf space in Best Buy. Software is selling like hell - but not through old fashioned brick and mortar stores anymore. Everyone I know is buying software only online. Buying software online is more convenient and faster that going to the store. Buy the time I dress for the cold weather outside and have the car started, I have the software already installed and use it. The Mac AppStore will make it even more convenient and I no longer have to enter the license key (or buy additional ones) for every machine I have. Can't wait for the Mac AppStore.

 

[E.Lizardo]

OS X will NEVER be closed. If it becomes such, it will no longer be OS X. So quit worrying about tech paranoid fantasies. This App Store is good news. Right now the techies know where to go to get lots of software. Mom and Pop do not. This new store will make it obvious where to go, and that will greatly increase the software market.

Remember, Mom and Pop do NOT buy software right now. They don't know how. So this will not replace their current purchase, it will add new purchases to the market.

And if it's popular, and tech-oriented sites that aggregate software disappear, techies will still know how to find the sites that remain open. That will never change.

Don't listen to the paranoid fantasies. These are PR-generated by Apple's competitors in the marketplace to get you to steer away from Apple's stuff. Sadly, some people believe what they read and think Apple is a closed company.

*1
I'd also like one of these nervous Nellies to explain how they think Apple will continue to be successful with a "closed"OS?Do you think Apple is so stupid as to kill their own company or customers are so stupid as to support such a platform?Talk about manufacturing something to worry about!

Chill.
Ain't gonna happen.

 

[shervieux]

Personally I think the mac app store is a great idea (if very similar to the app store for iOS):

1. Allows me to see reviews and screen shots - to decide if I want to buy this software or make another choice. Also to see if I should skip this update or not.

2. I could piece meal my purchases. I need new imovie, but have no need for a newer garage band, or iweb (since they don't seem to update that). Also, I only use the basics in iphoto - so I would not upgrade in a long time. I use pages often, but I never use numbers (I use excel due to the windows world). and for presentations, I am looking at buying ProPresenter.

http://www.renewedvision.com/

3. Would be great if I could backup all my software (mac and iOS) at the same time I do my itunes backups. this way, no remembering to have to make separate CD's of each software. I just rely on my time machine and then when I do my monthly backup of itunes to DVD(s).

4. Since it was purchased from the mac app store, and thus registered to the user/machine that did the download. Serial numbers would become obsolete. No need to write down serial numbers in a log book, or on the CD (especially since we are moving from a CD world to a download world).

5. Updates would become automatic (like the way iOS apps update).

6. Since it would be stored in iTunes, with your Apple ID would be nice if all software became family-paks. This would be 1 standard price point, and on multiple macs I own (like I do with my iphone and ipad).

7. Syncing data between devices would then hopefully become less trivial (ie like ibooks and several other apps). Just load it into itunes, sync and viola - it is now on my phone, and ipad just by plugging it in. Itunes would need a way to push to all your registered macs (using your apple ID).

8. And let's not forget... No more dedicating a drawer in the file cabinet just for the boxes the software came in. Yes I save the boxes, because when I upgrade - I give the older versions to other people who really do not need the newest and greatest, or if they cannot afford the software. Plus I also can just easily look at the box than flip through a book of CD's when I need to re-install (rarely - that mostly happens on the 1 Windows laptop I have).

9. Unless developers become greedy pigs, software prices could go down; as they will not have to build-in the price for CD's, print, boxes, shipping to a distributor or directly to the store, returns for damaged shipments or if it does not sell and the distributor returns it.

 

[Doctor Q]

A developer isn't allowed to use their own copy protection. A purchase of an app is tied to an iTunes account. The store leaves a receipt file, which the developer can verify the authenticity of. If the receipt is not valid, the developer has a way of calling up a box asking for the user's iTunes username and password.

Thanks for the info about how licensing works.

But is it really true that developers can get my iTunes password (which means they can get into my iTunes account) if there's a problem with my app purchase or licensing?

 

[silentnite]

Houston we have lift off. Just hoping we have no delays.

 

[robogobo]

The Mac is a PC. PC just means Personal Computer.

sorry, no. I'm a Mac, I'm a PC. And never the twain shall meet. This is definitely a meaningful change in rhetoric.

 

[BaldiMac]

Yes, it does.

A developer isn't allowed to use their own copy protection. A purchase of an app is tied to an iTunes account. The store leaves a receipt file, which the developer can verify the authenticity of. If the receipt is not valid, the developer has a way of calling up a box asking for the user's iTunes username and password.

As a side effect of this, there's no way for a consumer to upgrade to the app store version of an app from the one that existed before, without paying full price.



Yes, by entering your iTunes username and password.



It means any computer on which you've entered your iTunes username and password into the App Store. As far as I know there can be any number of those.

Amorya

Thanks for the information. Are apps installed through the Mac App Store available to all the users on the computer?

For iTunes music they say you can authorize up to five computers, but they really mean five user accounts or iTunes libraries. Since the apps will be tied to an AppleID, I wonder if they will be installed only to an individual user account instead of the root applications folder.

 

[akidd]

Enjoying the debate

Good debate so far. So nice not to see the T word mentioned all the time and personal whinges. This is what we come to MR for.

If the store brings more good software to more users' attention, that must be a good thing. If we don't like the software, we don't have to buy it after all. Its about choices.

 

[AppleFan1984]

I can understand how, for a developer - this is great and exciting news. But as a consumer - I don't see it as exciting at all. The software I want and need or discover is easily found online for paid download or can be bought and shipped.

The fact that Apple is launching a store front might make it more one stop "shopping" - but I hardly find it incredible as a consumer.

Developers love it. Most developers are making way too much money, and they need to offload at least 30% to get down to an affordable tax bracket. Thankfully Apple comes along with a solution: rather than create a new market which might keep a developer's revenue too high as iOS did, the Mac App Store merely replaces the web to provide the same customer base but in an environment where you aren't saddled with keeping all your income.

 

[gwangung]

Developers love it. Most developers are making way too much money, and they need to offload at least 30% to get down to an affordable tax bracket. Thankfully Apple comes along with a solution: rather than create a new market which might keep a developer's revenue too high as iOS did, the Mac App Store merely replaces the web to provide the same customer base but in an environment where you aren't saddled with keeping all your income.

Which, of course, is opposed to the 40 and 50 percent they normally pay to middlemen....

Humor! U R doing wrong!

 

[AppleFan1984]

Which, of course, is opposed to the 40 and 50 percent they normally pay to middlemen....

Humor! U R doing wrong!

What percentage of web sales give up 50% to some third party?

I buy most of my software directly from the vendor.

 

[gwangung]

What percentage of web sales give up 50% to some third party?

I buy most of my software directly from the vendor.

That's nice. That's not how most people buy their software, though.

Large companies don't sell directly. You spend more money to middle men and to marketing getting the word around---getting a channel like the Apple store opens up wayyyyy more customers because you get eyeballs to your product.

Humor works better if you know what you're talking about.

 

[Mattsasa]

will it require 10.6.6?

 

[AppleFan1984]

Large companies don't sell directly. You spend more money to middle men and to marketing getting the word around---

What percentage of Mac developers would you characterize of "large"?

And do you really think Adobe's going to give 30% of their Mac revenue to Apple?

getting a channel like the Apple store opens up wayyyyy more customers because you get eyeballs to your product.

Whether in Apple's Safari or in Apple's App Store, it's still the same 5.6% of the global computer user market available to you.

But on the web a competent marketer has an opportunity to attract customers better than an idiot.

In an App Store, every product is just one record out of hundreds of thousands, all with the same presentation. A level playing field: good marketers brought down to the same level as those who can't market at all.

Humor works better if you know what you're talking about.

What's up with the personal insults? Did I mistakenly log into AppleInsider?

 

[KeithJenner]

Developers love it. Most developers are making way too much money, and they need to offload at least 30% to get down to an affordable tax bracket. Thankfully Apple comes along with a solution: rather than create a new market which might keep a developer's revenue too high as iOS did, the Mac App Store merely replaces the web to provide the same customer base but in an environment where you aren't saddled with keeping all your income.

Assuming that at the moment the developers currently keep all of the sale price (i.e. no paypal, advertising, hosting, distribution fees) and they sell on the App store for the same price then they need a 42% increase in sales to benefit.

In most cases the current costs will be fairly significant (10-15% would be easily incurred and most are probably higher).

The people with most to fear from this are those with a product that is selling fairly well at present but could be challenged by others benefiting from the easier access to the market. However, for the consumer this added competition is a good thing.

In fact, this is potentially the biggest benefit of the Mac App Store is removal of barriers to entry which should increase competition, making developers work harder to keep ahead of the rest. Those that do so should get the rewards they deserve