Today Apple launched the much-anticipated App Store that offers users an iTunes-like venue in which to purchase some current and upcoming application titles. The idea is simple and brilliant - put software in a familiar, intuitive and downloadable arena and users will flock to the water hole. That seems to be happening, so far.
If you use iTunes, then the App Store layout will be more than familiar with Top Paid and Top Free apps running down the right and side and top new titles in a slideshow-like window at the top. There also New and Noteworthy titles, Staff Favorites, etc.
While the layout and navigation of the system are logical easy to use, those considering purchasing via the oh-so-easy software should consider a few things before making the plunge - both good and bad.
Let's consider the positive. In addition to being easy to navigate and use, many of your favorite Mac apps are now individually available! Instead of paying $80 for the iWorks bundle, for example, you can now get them for only $20 a pop. Then, if you only want, say, Pages, you only buy the solo app! It's wonderful. This is perhaps even better with iLife. I only use Garageband to make ringtones, so why would I want to upgrade it? I use Adobe Lightroom to file my photos, so iPhoto is sort of non-essential. iTunes is always free and constantly updated, so I don't need that. I do my website through third party software - which also happens to be available in the App Store :) - so I don't use iWeb (it's not currently offered in the App Store), but I'd really like to get iMovie. I can get the stand-alone app for just $15 when I'd have had to pay $80 before. iDVD is another great app, but it's not currently available via the App Store. This is likely because in iLife 11, only iPhoto, iMovie and Garageband were really updated. Expect to see new renditions of the the other apps in the future.
Future Apple updates is another perk of the new venue. Why? Well, if Apple comes out with a new idea for iDVD, they no longer have to wait until they get updates for the rest of iLife to release it. They can just drop it in the App Store and send your computer an alert that an update is available! It remains to be seen if major software like Final Cut will be available here in the future, so only time will tell.
Install tracking is another plus. If the software detects that you already have the app installed via a pervious method (retail disc), it marks the app as INSTALLED for you to keep you from accidentally buy it.
Excellent pricing is a huge plus. Because Apple, and third party developers, can theoretically eliminate the need for boxes, brochures and discs, the entire process is now less expensive and immediate. No longer waiting on Apple to mail you your software or running out to the store. Just click and download and your done! Apple might go download-only in the future. Since their software - aside from iTunes which is already available for download for Mac and PC - requires you own a Mac anyway and almost everyone has access to the Internet somewhere, even if it's just free WiFi, it would seem likely that future app releases would go completely virtual. Since the server logs your software purchases it would be easy to move to a new computer or backup if you don't use Time Machine, etc.
Speaking of discount pricing, check out the new price of Apple's Aperture 3 software. You can now get it NEW for less than the old upgrade price! Previously it was $199, the App Store now offers it for $79!
Now for the potentially negative and or delayed:
You need OS 10.6.6. Not a big deal since most users are on Snow Leopard, but if your on Leopard or Tiger, you're out of luck without an upgrade. I think the upgrade is available for about $30, so no big deal. Once the system is App Store friendly, could future OS updates become available there? Right now you can't get the update without ordering it or buying it retail. I'm not sure about the technical limitations of downloading a complete OS update, but I suppose we'll see when Lion arrives.
Consider other pricing points. Though the new pricing is cheaper than existing pricing, it does not take into account Family Packs. So, if you wanted to purchase the 10 license limit that iWork Family pack offers you for $99 through the traditional software in the Apple Store or retail, you'd be forking over a lot of dough.
Now, supposedly you can share the downloaded software between your iOS devices by using the PURCHASES option at the top. Much like sharing apps on your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch without having to buy unique copies. It recognizes that it's your computer when you login to your account. I have not tried it, but other reviewers have indicated that it does work. This makes sense because if you want to work on say, a Keynote presentation on your desktop, but then use it for a demonstration on your laptop, you'd have to fork out $40 for the single app to use it in two locations. With just the one app you'd be nearing the half way price of the 10 license bundle cost. If you DO have a need for the Family Pack price and the PURCHASES feature ends up NOT covering your needs, then you could be out more money than necessary. This is likely not a major issue, but let's face it, without a disc and serial number that you can run all over creation with, some users might be caught off guard. If I can purchase an app and legally put it on my office computer, my home computer and say, my laptop without having the bank repossess my house to do so, then I'm a happy camper.
Another let down, though it's not Apple's fault, is that many apps that would be awesome in the App Store have not arrived yet, and might not ever. Take Microsoft Office for example. Some people out there only use Word from the Office bundle, so why not make that a stand-alone download in the App Store? Even if it was $40 or so, it would beat paying $200+ and getting Excel and PowerPoint and Exchange, etc. if you don't plan on using them. It would be smart for Microsoft to do it, but I doubt the greedy giant will cave to the logical. It might also be some time, if ever, that we see even the Microsoft bundle available. I could care less, but as long as the corporate structure in society dictates that we have Office apps we are inadvertently forced to run them and I would therefore enjoy their presence in the App Store.
App Syncing. Now that the Mac is going toward the iPad/iPhone format, in a way, with app downloads, it would be nice if Apple and third party developers would integrate everything. For example, if I have content in an app that is already on my iPhone or iPad, it'd be awesome to have all that content sync. Apparently App Store software is not capable of being "hard synced" with other software. The technical support site for the popular Things app - a program that allows you to manage To-Do lists, notes, etc. - says:
"Syncing via USB cable or Bluetooth is technically not possible for third party applications from the App Store."
They got smart and made it possible to sync all of your devices via WiFi, so this app DOES allow all content to be managed seamlessly. But why, with all of the connectivity that they currently support, would Apple not integrate App Store and iTunes communication for apps. I get that they are different "programs", but in 2011 it seems like if you have the same app on similar devices that they should be able to communicate with one another.
I don't mind paying for an additional copy of an app I use quite often, but without syncing, it seems unlikely that I'd want to recopy all that data over and over. I love iCal, but it's not as robust as some of the other apps out there and I simply like the UI of many of the apps I already own better. Hey, Apple, let's get this syncing thing sorted out so that everything works with Apple-like simplicity!
If they do sort out the syncing deal, you might see some promos available for multi-bundles. For example, let's use Things. The Things app for the iPhone/Touch is $10. It's $20 for the iPad and $50 for the Mac. If there were more incentive via proper, worry-free syncing, then Things might offer a MacPack (hey, Apple, I've already named it for you!) where you can get all three apps for $60-65 instead of $80! By 2012 everyone will have an iPhone and an iPad it seems like. Why not make the Mac peripheral devices talk nicely with the Mac? Just a thought.
Misfiring. I'm not sure if it's a glitch in the Apple developer kit or if third party developers are just trying to become familiar with the new setup, but it seems like a lot of apps are not working properly. Some wont launch, other's crash unexpectedly and often and others are incomplete. I doubt we can fully blame Apple for this, but it's something to consider. Make sure you read the reviews before buying.
Overall, the idea is superb and with time the kinks will be ironed out. Expect it to become insanely popular like iTunes, but because desktop apps are not purchased quite as often as music or mobile apps, and because it's Apple-only, I don't expect half a million desktop apps anytime soon.
Hey, Adobe, let's get some apps in the store and make our lives even easier! It would also be cool to see options for Education Pricing, but if prices drop low enough, special pricing would become a non-issue.
That's my two cents. Head on over to the App Store and check it out.
- R
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