Coming to a Mac near you
So the big stand out announcement of Back to the Mac was the new Mac App Store. It's less than 90 days (and counting) away from us now, so what can we expect from it?
Will Microsoft and Adobe be on it?
With Apple taking a 30% cut of the sale revenue, I initially would very much doubt it. Adobe and Apple are hardly best buddies either right now. Plus the Mac App Store is subject to the same stringent rules as its iOS equivalent. Then again, Adobe have made iPad apps, Microsoft have made iPhone apps. There is the other argument that they don't need to be. People who want Office for Mac or Adobe Elements will always seek it out and install them normally. Perhaps it doesn't really matter, but it will be fascinating to see how it pans out.
What's in it for small developers?
Awareness: Suddenly the App Store helps do their marketing for them. We already know from the iOS App Store that the viral effect of User Reviews - coupled with the simple show window that’s easy for users to navigate - has encouraged people to search out Apps and Games that they think they need.
The payment barriers are gone as well: If you fancied a punt before on say a £10 FTP app, you had to get your debit card out and fill out a web form. The iTunes Store (along with the likes of Amazon) has made it easier than ever to buy things by storing our Debit Card details. One Click and boom! You've got Angry Birds HD.
Is Apple first?
Well in terms of iOS: yes. However on the Desktop you could argue that Ubuntu got there first. Installing programmes in Linux has traditionally been more painful than a dislocated shoulder, however in Ubuntu you have been able to search it's 'Software Centre' since 2009 in order to directly download and install applications. In fact the goal of the Ubuntu development team in this area included encouraging other software makers to list their programmes within the Software Centre.
Is it the end of OS X?
Possibly. Once it is as easy to install Apps and Games on your Mac as it is on the iPhone and iPad (if my parents can do it, anyone can), why wouldn't people use the App Store? Simplicity always wins and if you don't need to use an Installer or deal with downloading a ZIP file, which you then have to copy into the Applications folder, then make sure you eject the DMG properly. Now I'm happy with this as I am a geek, but for the normal consumer that may be considering a Mac as they love they're iPad? They will lap it up. This is certainly the start of the iOS approach heading to the Mac not only with the features muted in 10.7 Lion, but also by making it as easy as possible for users to install, buy and always have the latest up to date version of the programmes that they want.
Why should I use it?
Well you clearly don't have to but why wouldn't you? It is likely to showcase lots of free apps that you would of been unlikely to have stumbled across without a recommendation. It could well bring some of the games titles that exist in iOS to the Mac although they will have the challenge of porting to hardware without Touch screen or an accelerometer.
The biggest advantage of running Apps from the Mac App Store will be you longer having to worry about staying up to date. All updates to Apps will be delivered via the App Store. This means developers don't have to implement their own systems. They'll also be able to piggyback on Apple's Crash Reporting tools. Logic would dictate that this will only improve the quality of code.
Why shouldn't I use it?
From what we know so far, some applications just simply wont get in the store given the approval process. Fans of bleeding edge builds and early 'Betas' (i.e. programmes that aren't completely finished, but usable) won't get these in the Mac App Store. You'll have to get your Firefox 4 Beta from Mozilla and install it yourself. The same goes for Free Trial and Demo software. Apple won't allow these 'try before you buys' in.
So is it a good or bad thing?
There is a lot of debate on the web and Apple podcasts about whether this is another step towards Apple controlling the entire experience or if it simply carries on the Apple ethos of making easy products for consumers.
In the near time, we think it’s all positive: you'll have an easy way to be showcased, then purchase, Apps onto your Mac. Initially I expect the quality of Apps to be high - so lets enjoy it before the Fart apps turn up.
Longer term is less clear. It may well push prices down which developers may not be happy about - unless of course they are selling a higher volume of Applications.
Even more extreme is that we could see OS X morph into iOS with the Mac App Store being the only way to get Apps into your MacBook Air. Geeks will hate this. I should know, I am one. My parents and colleagues that just want 'things to work' may well embrace it.
