The Mac App Store is Open for Business

As of this morning, the Mac App Store has officially opened its “doors” for business. Launching with over 1,000 apps in a wide range of categories, the new store is available as part of the Mac OS X v10.6.6 software update. The lone new feature of the update–beyond typical bug fixes and stability enhancements–The Mac App Store is a revolutionary new way to purchase, install, and manage applications. Apple bills the service as follows in an official support document accompanying the release:

• Discover Mac apps: Browse featured apps, top charts, and categories, or search for something specific. Read detailed app descriptions and user reviews, and flip through screen shots.
• Buy and install: Easily purchase apps with your iTunes account.  Apps install in one step and are quickly available from the Dock.
• App updates: The Mac App Store keeps track of all your purchased apps and notifies you when free updates are available.

While the new store features applications from a wide range of developers, Apple’s own software garners much of the spotlight. For the first time in recent memory, or ever, Apple has broken up its popular iLife and iWork suites. Now, as opposed to purchasing the entirety of the suites on DVD, users can selectively purchase individual apps for a fraction of the price. Individual iLife apps are available for only $14.99 apiece, and iWork apps are just $19.99. Additionally, Apple has released Aperture 3 and Apple Remote Desktop at significant discounts. The latter–which has traditionally sold for up to $499.99–is only $79.99. Likewise, Aperture 3 has been reduced from $199.99 to a $79.99 price point. There is no word whether these new prices are being offered on a temporary promotional or permanent basis. Using the iOS App Store as a model, it is not uncommon for the prices of apps to fluctuate on a regular basis.

In addition to business and productivity software, games appear to be an early staple of the store. Wildly successful iOS apps such as Angry Birds and Flight Control make their desktop debut as part of the initial wave of games. Unsurprisingly much like its iOS counterpart, Angry Birds has already assumed its position at the top of the charts. At this time, pricing for games and other 3rd party apps seems to be more inline with iPad exclusive titles than those meant specifically for iPhone/iPod touch.

Though we’ve only had a short time to play around in the store, initial impressions are good. Apps seamlessly install on the dock, and automatically move themselves into the Applications folder. Though no updates have been issued yet, the process is supposedly as straightforward as updating iOS apps through iTunes. We’ll have a follow-up review as more apps become available, and as we spend more time browsing the store’s offerings.

The Mac App Store requires Mac OS X v10.6.6 Snow Leopard. This is a free software update, and can be obtained by running Software Update from the Menu Bar, or downloaded directly here. (client version update from v10.6.5) If you have an Intel based Mac running an older version of Mac OS X, you can purchase Snow Leopard (yes it’s still on a DVD) here.