Apple News, Analysis and Podcasts

The Mac App Store (MAS) lacked most of the valuable software when Apple first debuted it last January. At that time it was a poor place for users to find new software. Most of the apps on the MAS were of low quality, except for Apple's.

That has all changed in the past ten months, as more and more of the top developers are either moving completely to the MAS or are selling on both the MAS and in the tradition way. Pixelmator was the first major software to test the waters and it grossed over one million dollars. That's simply too much money for other developers to pass up.

Today, the MAS is the first place and best place to go to find Mac software, and may be the only place to go within a year (except for free or open source apps). The only ones that are not moving to the MAS are big developers like Microsoft and Adobe, who have their own distribution channels and strong user base.

For minor developers, the MAS is becoming the only option to sell Mac software. It provides four big advantages, which in time, will force the big players in as well:

1. It levels the developer playing field. Small developers can come into the MAS and sell their software along side other big name titles. Software reviews are more critical here than distribution channels.
2. Small to medium sized developers can focus on building great software, instead of trying to setup and run distribution systems. While advertising and marketing are still needed, building great software can sometimes sell itself within a small enviroment like the MAS. There's almost a viral marketing feel to the store and it's product reviews.
3. The MAS can provide free and high profile advertising through MAS picks. Appplications that get picked for the New and Notewothy, Featured, and Pick List sections, provide great exposure for these developers. This type of advertising is far bigger than any advertising campaign run by the big names. Apple also rewards developers who keep their software up-to-date with the latest Apple systems, which help developers focus on developing. This type of rewards benefits Apple and the customer.
4. New software has been impacted the greatest with the MAS. Before the store, it was very difficult to get brand or name recogition for newly developed software. With the MAS, new software can be put on the front page if it stands above the rest. The payoff for new software is much greater than it ever has been before.

The Mac App Store has become the place to find software for Mac users. AgileBits is the lastest developer to add their software to the growing list of great MAS titles. Big developers are now the only remaining holdout, with their professional applications. Some though, like Autodesk are starting to make the move with AutoCAD and Sktechbook Pro. Even Adobe has relased Photoshop Elements in the MAS to test the waters. Time will tell if they all decide to put all their application on the MAS, or let their competition take the spotlight. For the rest of you developers still standing the sidelines, if you don't have your application in the MAS, users will be purchasing from your competition.

1 Comment

1. Burt ~ September 16, 2011 20:09
   And you certainly won't find 'MacKeeper' spyware programs on the Mac App Store! Or Google Chrome! So, for now, you have people who will buy ads on your Web site. MacKeeper is not a keeper. It's uninstallable, and certainly Apple would not accept it in the MAS. And of course, Chrome is just a WebKit ripoff.

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