Agreed. I'm looking forward to this Mac App store. It gives me a place to browse for apps and if I want to buy I don't have to worry if I am going on some rip off site or even just some one who runs their business shoddily. Apple already has my credit card info and have proven themselves at least not to be some shady guy on the internet (go look up reviews on decormyeyes.com to see what kind of people you have to worry about buying online). And it's one less place that has my credit card info stored somewhere since I can just buy through Apple.
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Tips for Mac App Store Devs: No Trials or Betas, File System and Custom Control Usage
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Agreed. I'm looking forward to this Mac App store. It gives me a place to browse for apps and if I want to buy I don't have to worry if I am going on some rip off site or even just some one who runs their business shoddily. Apple already has my credit card info and have proven themselves at least not to be some shady guy on the internet (go look up reviews on decormyeyes.com to see what kind of people you have to worry about buying online). And it's one less place that has my credit card info stored somewhere since I can just buy through Apple.
I'm sure that's what Apple wants. Who wouldn't want 30% of all software sales? It remains to be seen if that is the way things will be eventually though.
I know that I'm going to make a concerted effort to buy everything directly from developer sites, even if I find the software by browsing the OS X app store. Developers deserve every penny and I like OS X open too.
You maybe right, I wonder what is in the agreement when you sell your product in the App Store? The important thing about the Mac App Store is the potential visibility you get with selling your App through it. However I wonder if you can use the Mac App Store for visibility and then sell the App on your own website for 20% less (talk about having your cake and eating it too
)? Overall, I think Apple does not want to waste their server space with trial versions of software.my 2 cents.
I think Apple's main issue hear, is that they do not want to RUIN their launch. If they let "trial" and "demo" versions in, then developers would be more inclined to use the Mac App Store for marketing purposes, and sell the "full" version on their own website. It makes perfect sense to abuse them if they let you do it. Instead, Apple is saying... no, we'd like FULL versions of the app, thanks. Moreover, if they are already (or will) support "In-App Purchases"... that would make the most sense... allowing users a consistent and unconfusing software experience. --But, it will definitely NOT be for all apps... ever. So, its nice to see them following through with a vision, and not compromising it in lame ways that completely miss the initial point.
~ CB
I don't know if the Mac App Store is really going to matter to me (or a lot of people on this website). The restrictions are very limiting. I look on my MBP. I really don't have a lot of applications loaded on (maybe 7-8 or so). Most of them wouldn't be allowed in the Mac App Store anyway. As for some that would; can I think of any Mac App Store applications I would download, while erasing the ones I currently have? I don't think so.
I just hope the Mac App Store doesn't fill up with crap like the iPod/iPad/iPhone app store. I mean, I really don't need anymore "native" apps that duplicate what a normal website does (weather apps, converter apps, Pandora/Internet radio, Shopping apps, etc.). I wouldn't need any apps that use GPS to find stuff around you (like Urbanspoon, AroundMe, Where, etc.) as most laptops are not something people carry in their pocket and pull it out in a pinch. I don't need reference apps (like medical calculators, dictionary.com, wiki apps) because all of these can be used via a browser.
So, basically all the stuff I can think of are a myriad of photo processing apps, games, and a barrage of social networking apps. Even this, who would need a Facebook application when someone can just open up the webpage in your browser?
I just hope the Mac App Store doesn't fill up with crap like the iPod/iPad/iPhone app store. I mean, I really don't need anymore "native" apps that duplicate what a normal website does (weather apps, converter apps, Pandora/Internet radio, Shopping apps, etc.). I wouldn't need any apps that use GPS to find stuff around you (like Urbanspoon, AroundMe, Where, etc.) as most laptops are not something people carry in their pocket and pull it out in a pinch. I don't need reference apps (like medical calculators, dictionary.com, wiki apps) because all of these can be used via a browser.
So, basically all the stuff I can think of are a myriad of photo processing apps, games, and a barrage of social networking apps. Even this, who would need a Facebook application when someone can just open up the webpage in your browser?
However I wonder if you can use the Mac App Store for visibility and then sell the App on your own website for 20% less (talk about having your cake and eating it too
There's term for this in software sales... called "pissing in your own boot". You never want to undercut your channel... otherwise, you eventually loose your channel and most developers enjoy the sales they get.
Competing with your own channel partners is self-imposed channel erosion. Never good.
While that sentiment is nice, keep in mind that for 99% of the developers out there, they will be making many more pennies by selling apps on the app store than they would if the app store didn't exist at all. So actually, if you are really all about helping developers, you will want the app store to succeed.
It's a matter of volume. I can sell "X" copies of my application via my own website (at full profit), or I can sell 500 times more copies via the app store (at 70% profit each). Which one is better for me? It's a no-brainer.
Look at it like this:
You are a small business owner, selling...oh I don't know...fancy gift soaps, let's say. You have a small gift soap shop tucked away in an obscure part of town. You sell your soaps little by little, to that small clientele that knows about your store and likes your soaps.
Suddenly you are given an offer to set up a stand to sell your soaps in the highest-traffic area of the largest shopping mall in the entire country, right during the peak of the Christmas shopping season. All the mall asks is that 30% of the sale price of whatever you sell goes to them.
THAT is basically what the app store is doing for developers.
Ahhh... yeah... last time I checked they were a business and most businesses tend to do things that make money. Check it out... it's a cool concept.
LOL! Funny!
So you think the App Store means that it will be the ONLY WAY to install on a Mac???? OMG That is too funny! What gives you this impression?
Edit: crap I cut out the wrong part of the quote... fixed
This. I've held off buying a good task management app on my iphone because the "good" ones cost $10-20, which I don't mind paying but I don't want to pay for one and find out it doesn't support something I want (like Things supports tags/labels but apparently has crappy syncing at the moment).
I also want the ability to roll back to an old version, otherwise Apple REALLY needs to start supporting iOS on other devices for far longer. Many of these apps are uncontrollably only supporting version4, at Apple's request, but iOS4 was killer on my 3G for a long time. It effectively means that you can't update your apps if you still have a 2G. The end result is apps that are broken with little way to go back. Not all of us have Macs with Time Machine either to roll back an App to an older sync'd copy.
One final request, an ignore update permanently feature. I'm tired of the badge being up for apps that I don't want to update. I have a copy of iMahjong that is great, little ad consumption and plays fine on my iPad. Then the developer went crazy, created 4 different versions and updated the good version I have to innundate the player with ads or force you to pay for updates. I'm all for the developer making money, but I'm not in favor of the developer trojan horsing our apps with ads through an update that supposed "fixes stability".
All of this needs to happen with all the App stores, not just the iPhone or the Mac Stores.
Apple is going about this the wrong way. The developer's website is definitely NOT the best place to distribute betas or trial versions of the software.
I downloaded trial versions for about 95% of the software I purchase. Then when I decide I like it, I simply purchase a license key to convert my trial into a full-fledged version.
Why on earth would I want to uninstall the trial, possibly lose whatever I already configured or created, and then go into the Mac App Store to buy it? The Mac App Store just becomes a hinderance then, not something that makes things easier for the consumer or the developer.
Where is the value-add?
I downloaded trial versions for about 95% of the software I purchase. Then when I decide I like it, I simply purchase a license key to convert my trial into a full-fledged version.
Why on earth would I want to uninstall the trial, possibly lose whatever I already configured or created, and then go into the Mac App Store to buy it? The Mac App Store just becomes a hinderance then, not something that makes things easier for the consumer or the developer.
Where is the value-add?
In App purchase
I'd suggest a trial version with a 1 time in App purchase of the full version rather than what has happened with iOS with a separate app for the free version.
They could also offer future upgrades with an in app purchase. I just don't want to see get to the point where I have to "in-app" purchase basic features like spell check or bold fonts etc..
Keep in mind that it's the first release. Apple likes to keep it simple and clean then ramp up with other options/features in future releases.
I'd suggest a trial version with a 1 time in App purchase of the full version rather than what has happened with iOS with a separate app for the free version.
They could also offer future upgrades with an in app purchase. I just don't want to see get to the point where I have to "in-app" purchase basic features like spell check or bold fonts etc..
Keep in mind that it's the first release. Apple likes to keep it simple and clean then ramp up with other options/features in future releases.
For developers who aren't selling much of their software at the moment. Or developers who can't get their Apps out to the world for some reason. Or for small Apps that don't even exist yet.
Just like for the iPhone App Store: Many iPhone developers didn't even exist as official developers before the App Store.
This Mac App Store isn't really for people who already a working product with an established user base, but for new Apps to appear and maybe change the way we use Apps, and our computers.
you do know things like webhosting and tonz of other things are not free? the dev is already making no where near 100%
you and others need to stop being so ignorent.
I am only really going to use this for free apps and making sure they are really updated. Other than Office and iWork I rarely use any other paid software, except maybe rip-it.
I am wondering though if it will update apps on your mac for you even if you did not buy them from the store? This would be useful for MS Office and the MacHeist pack I got last year.
If so I can get rid of AppFresh
I am wondering though if it will update apps on your mac for you even if you did not buy them from the store? This would be useful for MS Office and the MacHeist pack I got last year.
If so I can get rid of AppFresh
Ahhh... yeah... last time I checked they were a business and most businesses tend to do things that make money. Check it out... it's a cool concept.
It is cool. I never said there was anything wrong with it.
Developers are still going to maintain their own web sites even with a Mac App Store. Thus the extra 30% will help. So being ignorant is not agreeing with you? How very open minded of you...
Compared to what?
Open a terminal, have at it. Many hidden settings are a "write defaults blah blah blah" away from changing them. Graphics in the OS are stored inside of bundles which are just directories with a special bit.
You can navigate to a bundle, right click on "Show Package Contents" and navigate the contents.
Changing icons on directories, drives and applications is as easy as right clicking, selecting "Get Info" and pasting the replacement icon into the icon well.
If you have administrator access, you have control over the OS to a far greater degree than you do with Windows 7 admin accounts.
BTW. If you want to write an app for OS X, just install the dev tools that come with Snow Leopard or sign up for a free dev account on developer connection at apple.com and download X-Code and the SDK for OS X.
Sure it eases the startup for the developers, but what is the incentive for the consumer to buy from the Mac App Store unless that is their only option?
Today's model:
1. Find App Website
2. Download & Install Trial Version
3. Configure / Play with App (persistent data)
4. Purchase & Enter License Key
Mac App Store model:
1. Find App on Mac App Store
2. Find App Website
3. Download & Install Trial Version
4. Configure / Play with App (persistent data)
5. Uninstall trial version
6. Purchase App in Mac App Store (automated install)
7. Reconfigure App
If Apple wants this to succeed then they need to reduce the amount of work needed to try-and-buy and app, not increase it.
Personally, I wouldn't include the Newton in that list; it had one of the most devoted followings of any PDA considering it came out and was cancelled even before Palm and Handspring's offerings. The Newton was also not a Steve Jobs concept, but rather one of his predecessors. To the best of my knowledge, many people in the medical field used them all the way up to the release of the iPhone and the many medical interfaces for it that replaced the Newton's functionality.
I use reviews/screenshots, more than free trials, to choose games. For more serious (and costly) apps, a free demo is crucial to me. I can certainly get it by other means, but if demos are important, they should be part of the complete, simple App Store experience. As they are on iPhone/iPod/iPad.
Im sure the Mac App Store will evolve and take some wrong turns on the way. Gotta start somewhere. Luckily, weve seen Apple reverse or adjust bad calls and bad policies on the App Store before.
Im sure the Mac App Store will evolve and take some wrong turns on the way. Gotta start somewhere. Luckily, weve seen Apple reverse or adjust bad calls and bad policies on the App Store before.
listen my friend, its common knowledge that OSX is locked down. Common knowledge. Everyone knows this.
Uh, huh. Everybody knows this... /sarcasm
So, I'd still like some examples.
Remember "no native apps on the iphone?" Enough people complained AND did something about it (jailbreak). Apple caved. I suspect that when Apple figures out people are buying apps for Mac the traditional way and cutting Apple out of the loop, Apple will cave.
I hardly ever buy software without trying it first or the seller needs to offer an unconditional full refund if I don't like it.
One thing I will buy from the app store - iphoto. If the price holds at the demo screen shots ($15), that would be far better than paying $49 for all of ilife just for one app. I have no use for garage band, either idvd is there, but untouched or it's missing, and iweb hasn't been touched.
But, if I'm forced to go to the developer's site (or cnet downloads, etc) for a trial version, I don't see a point in going back to the app store to buy the full version unless the developer sells the full version exclusively via the app store.
I hardly ever buy software without trying it first or the seller needs to offer an unconditional full refund if I don't like it.
One thing I will buy from the app store - iphoto. If the price holds at the demo screen shots ($15), that would be far better than paying $49 for all of ilife just for one app. I have no use for garage band, either idvd is there, but untouched or it's missing, and iweb hasn't been touched.
But, if I'm forced to go to the developer's site (or cnet downloads, etc) for a trial version, I don't see a point in going back to the app store to buy the full version unless the developer sells the full version exclusively via the app store.
You mean where you can refund HARD COPY mac software? There isnt any. And rightfully so! there is no way to determine what happened to that software after it left the store. I could install it with the license key and then return the CD to the store.
With a OS based or Cloud based distro system, it can be managed alot better to be more refund friendly.
Like Android Market, If i buy an app I have 24 hours to unistall it if I dont want it anymore. That way it can be assured that the app was at least uninstalled, and therefore the license is gone.
I am talking about 95% of buying customer who dont know anything about hacking, cracking, pirating apps. Which I would assume is most of MAC/iOS user install base.