How about an app store for OSX next?

[MVApple]

I'm loving the app store for the iphone/ipod touch, but how about one for OSX, kinda like how steam works for games right now.

I think an app store would encourage more people to write applications for OSX since it would give them an easy way to distribute their software. Or is this a bad idea? Maybe its easy enough to distribute software for macs already?

 

[fastbite]

Sounds good to me.

 

[gibbz]

That would be petty cool. I would think developers would jump on this opportunity if presented.

 

[a456]

Interesting idea. Of course this all but exists in the form of the downloads section of Apple.com: http://www.apple.com/uk/downloads/

 

[soberbrain]

An App Store was necessary for the iPhone to have since it's a new platform and it's been a great way to add new features (via apps), also it's a way for Apple to control their product.

There's a few sites already (I use versiontracker.com and there's also google for the developer's site) where people can search for apps, read reviews, etc.

It doesn't seem as necessary on a Mac. I'd rather Apple improve on the current App Store.

 

[Macgic]

It doesn't seem as necessary on a Mac. I'd rather Apple improve on the current App Store.

I am pretty sure since Apple is a major corporation that they have an iphone department and a Mac department.

google works really well to find apps for your Mac. the reason they have the appstore is because its a convenient way to get apps onto a phone. i can't think of a decent other way to get apps onto an iphone.

 

[soberbrain]

I am pretty sure since Apple is a major corporation that they have an iphone department and a Mac department.

As we both stated, the App Store was necessary for the iPhone to succeed in getting more functionality and users.

Macs and application websites are already established. As a major corporation, why would Apple waste resources on building and maintaining their own Mac App Store when users area able to find them already?

How about, instead of the Mac dept working on another source for Mac Applications, they can continue on improving OS X and Macs?

 

[MVApple]

As we both stated, the App Store was necessary for the iPhone to succeed in getting more functionality and users.

Macs and application websites are already established. As a major corporation, why would Apple waste resources on building and maintaining their own Mac App Store when users area able to find them already?

How about, instead of the Mac dept working on another source for Mac Applications, they can continue on improving OS X and Macs?

I would imagine that the people working on improving OSX and Macs would be very different than the people putting together an OSX Mac store, so you wouldn't have to pick one.

The purpose of an OSX app store would be to simplify things. No need to google to find apps and read reviews, it'll all be in one place. On top of this, you don't have to fill out credit card forms and trust several sites with your credit card information, it'll all be in itunes.

I think this would be an excellent way to get more developers on board too since they have a convienent way to get paid for their work.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

The current app store was invented by Al Gore and is called the intrawebz.

 

[ilfn143]

download.com, you don't have to wait for apple approval

 

[admanimal]

As a developer, I wouldn't mind having an OSX app section in iTunes, but I'd rather have it just copy the functionality of the current OSX software web pages on Apple.com and maybe have Apple handle payment transactions. In other words, I'd rather distribute the app from my own web page where I can instantly update it as often as I want without waiting for Apple, but the exposure from iTunes is great.

 

[Macgic]

I'd rather distribute the app from my own web page where I can instantly update it as often as I want without waiting for Apple, but the exposure from iTunes is great.

Exactly Apple would want to control what developers put out on the market. and it would take FOREVER for updates

would apple be the only way to distribute Mac applications?
If so do you think apple would allow senuti? handbrake? or mactheripper?

Nah they'd control it way to much.