Enterprise Applications: Mac App Store Opens for Business

The Mac App Store debuted on Jan. 6, providing a new way for developers who focus on Mac OS X applications to sell their wares online, in exchange for Apple taking a 30 percent cut of the proceeds. In creating this outlet, which builds on the success of the iTunes App Store, Apple is offering people an alternative way to buy applications that taps into many people's need for instant gratification. But the Mac App Store as it exists is going to run into the same problem that we've found with the iTunes App Store; as the number of available applications grows, the store becomes increasingly difficult to browse, and is exponentially less useful with every month that passes. The absence of any side-by-side comparisons and the lack of breakdowns within a category mean that customers will waste time trying to find what they want. Although Apple will undoubtedly call the Mac App Store a success, it's disappointing to see that the company hasn't learned from its earlier efforts.