Apple didn't stop piracy, but they did something almost as amazing: get the average person to spend money on software. Just look at the anemic PC software secti

Apple didn't stop piracy, but they did something almost as amazing: get the average person to spend money on software. Just look at the anemic PC software sections in any Best Buy. The average person hardly buys any PC software. Maybe a virus scanner and this year's edition of QuickTax. The App Store changed that and opened the market to any developer with $99 to spare. Thanks to the App Store and it's clones, one guy in his basement can now reach millions of customers without negotiating with manufacturers, retailers, or mobile network operators. This is a matter of preference, but I'm glad that the App Store reinvigorated client apps. I don't see web apps as an inherent good. The best web app interfaces today barely approximate the usability of the desktop software I had on my PC 15 years ago. I'm not thrilled about the ads, either. I'll happily pay for client apps, and I'm thankful the app stores make that possible.