Apple’s Mac App Store launched this morning after 3 months of build up. When they announced it I was skeptical about it. Two years ago I wrote about why I thought Apple should provide a way for 3rd party applications to be included in the system-wide Software Update utility. This wish is finally coming true, which I love, it will make things a lot easier, especially for applications that don’t make use of auto-update frameworks like Sparkle. But I also wasn’t sure how I felt about Apple now having the same control of what apps are available through this that they have over the iOS App Store, which has been quite a source of bad blood between Apple and developers.
But now that it’s launched I have a better attitude about it overall. I like the simplicity of being able to purchase and install applications. Although I’m also afraid for my bank account because of that simplicity.
One of the cool things about the App Store is that it recognizes what applications you already have installed. This ‘links’ the Mac Store app to the one on your computer and allows you to update that application. Unfortunately for apps you purchased elsewhere previously, it doesn’t work quite so seamlessly. There are a few applications that are recognized by the App Store, but because they weren’t purchased through the App Store, you can’t update them through it.
This is one of the things that Apple really could do better with. I know it’s not an easy task, but there should be a way for developers to ‘provision’ licenses for existing customers and get them on board with using the Mac App Store (even a discount coupon or something), versus having to provide support and application updates on two fronts for the foreseeable future. From what I’ve seen today already this is a frustration I share with many developers, but until Apple does something, there’s nothing anyone else can really do.
At launch the Mac App Store has a pretty decent collection of apps. There are quite a few apps that I’ve never heard of or seen before, but there are also quite a few familiar faces. Pixelmator and Panic‘s apps are my favorites from long ago, and of course Apple has thrown all of their consumer applications onto the store (iLife, iWork, Aperture, and Apple Remote Desktop).
Over time I’m sure more and more developers will join the program until the majority of new applications available on the Mac are available through the Mac App Store.