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Apple would have complete control over the software they wanted to offer on a theoretical Mac App Store. Not so different from the retail boxed software they se

by jsz0 17y ago

Apple would have complete control over the software they wanted to offer on a theoretical Mac App Store. Not so different from the retail boxed software they sell at Apple Stores. I don't think it's on the top of their priority list but I bet it happens eventually. If you look at Steam on Windows you see there is a proven model for success with desktop app stores.

city41 17y ago
Steam is a tough comparison, as it targets hardcore gamers who are typically insatiable for new releases. What happens with standard apps? Some Mac user or shop buys the 4 or 5 apps they need and then ... nothing. A Mac app store would be great for visibility, updates, etc. But it doesn't seem like a very profitable venture.
- jsz0 17y ago
  I haven't used Steam myself but I understand it's popular for older titles these days too. Gaming is kind of a consumable product compared to productivity or utility software though. A Mac App Store would probably have to go hand & hand with a new era of casual Mac gaming building on popular iPhone game franchises. One interesting angle is using the iPhone/Touch itself as a Wii style controller
blasdel 17y ago
But Steam's DRM system actually provides some value to the customer: it makes for a very effective anti-cheating system. If you are detected cheating, you get banned at a random point within a few days (to kill your testing cycle), and you lose your purchase. The only time you ever see cheating is during free-pass weekends. I normally pirate everything, but this is worth paying for.
- stcredzero 17y ago
  A well tended walled garden in the form of an App Store for Apple Tablet computers and newer consumer-oriented computers would provide a lot of value. To most users, a general purpose computer is a power tool that they'll never make full use of. What most people really want in a personal computer is a backplane for various appliances. They just want to buy those things, install them, and have them just work. If an App Store ecosystem could mean Apple could completely shepherd users and take care of their every need, then this would add value in much the same way. And Apple would be able to figure out how to market this and get paid handsomely. This is the exactly the direction that Apple is going with their retail stores. (Especially with the revamp to increase the social interactivity.)
  - jsz0 17y ago
    I think so too. We've enjoyed some good times with security-through-obsecurity on OSX but it's not going to last forever. I'm leaning towards wanting most of my apps being vetted and distributed through a trusted source. Of course I would want to keep the option to install anything I wanted. Given the choice I would choose to install via a Mac App Store whenever possible. I feel like anti-virus, anti-malware, etc are like missile defense. Yeah it might work most of the time, in theory, but if one slips past and hits your city it doesn't really matter. I find when I use Windows these days I am irrationally paranoid about installing any third party software. If/When OSX increases in popularity and becomes a bigger target I fear the same thing will happen.
derefr 17y ago
I think it is on the top of their priority list: it's the perfect thing to introduce along with the tablet. "Our new Multitouch store is stocked with apps that are hand-tuned for your fingers, but will still work great on your iMac or Macbook."

by jsz0 17y ago

city41 17y ago

Steam is a tough comparison, as it targets hardcore gamers who are typically insatiable for new releases. What happens with standard apps? Some Mac user or shop buys the 4 or 5 apps they need and then ... nothing. A Mac app store would be great for visibility, updates, etc. But it doesn't seem like a very profitable venture.

jsz0 17y ago
I haven't used Steam myself but I understand it's popular for older titles these days too. Gaming is kind of a consumable product compared to productivity or utility software though. A Mac App Store would probably have to go hand & hand with a new era of casual Mac gaming building on popular iPhone game franchises. One interesting angle is using the iPhone/Touch itself as a Wii style controller

blasdel 17y ago

But Steam's DRM system actually provides some value to the customer: it makes for a very effective anti-cheating system. If you are detected cheating, you get banned at a random point within a few days (to kill your testing cycle), and you lose your purchase. The only time you ever see cheating is during free-pass weekends. I normally pirate everything, but this is worth paying for.

stcredzero 17y ago
A well tended walled garden in the form of an App Store for Apple Tablet computers and newer consumer-oriented computers would provide a lot of value. To most users, a general purpose computer is a power tool that they'll never make full use of. What most people really want in a personal computer is a backplane for various appliances. They just want to buy those things, install them, and have them just work. If an App Store ecosystem could mean Apple could completely shepherd users and take care of their every need, then this would add value in much the same way. And Apple would be able to figure out how to market this and get paid handsomely. This is the exactly the direction that Apple is going with their retail stores. (Especially with the revamp to increase the social interactivity.)
- jsz0 17y ago
  I think so too. We've enjoyed some good times with security-through-obsecurity on OSX but it's not going to last forever. I'm leaning towards wanting most of my apps being vetted and distributed through a trusted source. Of course I would want to keep the option to install anything I wanted. Given the choice I would choose to install via a Mac App Store whenever possible. I feel like anti-virus, anti-malware, etc are like missile defense. Yeah it might work most of the time, in theory, but if one slips past and hits your city it doesn't really matter. I find when I use Windows these days I am irrationally paranoid about installing any third party software. If/When OSX increases in popularity and becomes a bigger target I fear the same thing will happen.

derefr 17y ago

I think it is on the top of their priority list: it's the perfect thing to introduce along with the tablet. "Our new Multitouch store is stocked with apps that are hand-tuned for your fingers, but will still work great on your iMac or Macbook."