Live data from Hacker News

Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

engadget.com

11–20 of 229 posts

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#11

Here is my big question: "How do I move existing customers to the app store version of the software without making them purchase it at full price?"

This is just conjecture, but couldn't they simply allow you to give your customers voucher codes? I was under the impression that the iOS app store supported something along those lines.

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#12
1. I hope I can still build my own custom Emacs.app from source and install it.

2. I hope App Store apps will be sandboxed and prevented from polluting the system.

3. I hope Adobe switches to the App Store model, and that it will mean that the behavior of the horrific Creative Suite installer will finally be reigned in (take a look in /Applications/.AdobePatchFiles and check how large it is).

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#13

the big question is whether the App Store will become the only allowed way to get software onto a Mac. Anybody heard anything? If they disallow all the historical ways I suspect there will be an exodus of disgrunted developers, many going to Linux.

All the mac users can only hope not.. The fact that they have an app store is that we can see that Jobs is trying to pitch the Mac to the rest of the users as well... normal users wont be able to find apps online, they need a central location to do so. The thing that struck me was that, why is he doing that? Isnt the "iPad" meant to do all that, and leave the Mac as trucks?

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#15
As long as it's not the only way to get software on your Mac -- and I don't really see Apple doing that with their "truck" line of devices since there's probably always going to be obscure stuff that the publishers aren't going to want in the app store.

For that matter, I can't really see Adobe (for example) wanting to give 30% of the cost of Photoshop to Apple.

On the other hand, I think this is potentially fantastic for smaller developers -- it will make it easier for people to find their apps, and as with the iPad/iPhone, that 30% cut to let Apple manage all the billing issues for you might be well worth it.

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#17
post #7

Here is my big question: "How do I move existing customers to the app store version of the software without making them purchase it at full price?"

The bigger question I have is: why would you/anyone move them at all? If you're already selling for OS X and have an avenue for updating your app, are you really going to give up 30% of your revenue to Apple for the same-old? This only works on the iPhone because it's the only way to get software on the device. Unless that's the next step...

I agree that the 30% chunk taken by Apple is a bit large. For iOS, the huge draw (apart from the obvious "it's the only way") is that your pool of potential customers is enormous. You give up 30% of your revenue in exchange for making your software easily available to millions of people.

I'd say try finding a software publisher that will give you a deal anywhere near that good, but if you're already distributing your software electronically...

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#18
post #7

Here is my big question: "How do I move existing customers to the app store version of the software without making them purchase it at full price?"

The bigger question I have is: why would you/anyone move them at all? If you're already selling for OS X and have an avenue for updating your app, are you really going to give up 30% of your revenue to Apple for the same-old? This only works on the iPhone because it's the only way to get software on the device. Unless that's the next step...

I think the savings in dealing with credit card processing / paypal along with not having to maintain my own updates. Bandwidth / Hosting is not a small issue.

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#20
post #7

Here is my big question: "How do I move existing customers to the app store version of the software without making them purchase it at full price?"

The bigger question I have is: why would you/anyone move them at all? If you're already selling for OS X and have an avenue for updating your app, are you really going to give up 30% of your revenue to Apple for the same-old? This only works on the iPhone because it's the only way to get software on the device. Unless that's the next step...

Because you want to marketing of the app store and don't want to maintain two versions. Also, if Apple has built in copy protection and distribution that's a big advantage (it might not for this new store).
Post reply on HN