The Mac App Store’s future of irrelevance – Marco Arment
Must-read on the worrying withdrawl of OSX applications from the Mac App store. Perhaps the issues raised here are only currently relevant on a professional application level, but after seeing the ‘race to the bottom’ in the iOS appstore, I can only conclude that this is an extremely valid point.
2 months ago I made the decision to forgo all Appstore purchases where possible, based on the following comparison:
Direct Download Benefits over the App Store:
- Supports the Developer directly without Apple taking a 30% cut
- I’m able to get a discount on major software updates, which is currently impossible in the App Store
- Possibly critical Updates are unhindered by review delays
- Developers are able to achieve out-of-sandbox functionality
- Multiple license purchases are possible
App Store Benefits over App Store Purchases
- Bulk software re-installation is easier
- Software updates are marginally more convenient
- Required for the app to implement iCloud storage
That’s it*. The fact that iCloud integration can be effectively swapped with Dropbox integration really doesnt leave much in the way of enticements for Appstore purchases (or distribution), and to be truly honest, I prefer knowing an update to an app is available when I am using it, but I can also see how maybe that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
The thing is, it is entirely possible for the appstore model not to suck, just look at Steam.
*There is also the remote possibility for indie developers to start turning over serious moneys™ by hitting the featured page & top 10 lists (see angry birds)- however with 28 out of the 73 total links (38%) on the featured page in the (NZ) Mac Appstore going to Big A’s own software, and operating system, this becomes even more of an impossibility.
