The Mac App Store

Apple just announced the Mac store is up and running.  Many of you have used the app store for your iPhone or iPod or Android phone.  Take that idea, and apply it to a computer.  You surf through the store, you see a application you want, and you click to buy.  This isn’t just for gaming, but for productive apps as well, such as the iWork suite, or even Aperature.

I’ve been waiting for this for a while for several reasons.  I was amazed at the comments on the article Engadget posted about this.  People seemed to think it was a waste of time for Apple to do this, or that it was bad for developers or consumers.  I think the advantages are overwhelming for both groups: 

For consumers:
1 – Ease – I don’t have to deal with CDs or serial codes. My software purchases are linked with my account name, so if I upgrade or purchase a new computer, I don’t have to find the CDs and their cases or buy it again or deal with customer service because I lost the box that had the code sticker on it. I just click “download,” and boom, I have it.

2 – Speed and Convenience – I instantly have the application I want, I don’t have to drive to the store, wait for it to come in the mail, or even if I’m downloading software, I don’t have to put my credit card information for all the different companies I’m purchasing software from. It makes it easy and seamless.

3 – Cost – I can buy software that normally comes in a suite (such as iWork apps or iLife apps) individually. For example, I love iPhoto and Keynote, but I never use Garage Band or Numbers, so now I can buy one application and not have to pay for the whole suite.

For developers:
1 – Ease and Convenience – I’m thinking specifically of smaller companies or indie developers.  Having an app store makes it much easier to jump into the game.  They don’t have to worry about the headaches or cost of producing CDs and product boxes, shipping, talking with multiple brick-and-mortar stores to get their product on the shelves.

2 – Speed – They are able to get their finished product to consumers faster.  The post it in the App store, and it’s ready to go.

3 – Cost – Yes, Apple takes 30% off the top of purchases, just like in the iOS app stores and iTunes, but I’m willing to bet this vastly outweighs the cost of normal production methods.

Others have used this ideas in smaller venues, usually specifically for gaming (I’m thinking Steam), but no one has ever done this for a normal computer system for across-the-board application categories.  I think it’s a great idea, and I hope it takes off.  What are your thoughts?