Amazon Challenges Apple With Mac App Store 111
CWmike writes "Amazon launched a Mac-specific application download store on Thursday that will compete with Apple's nearly five-month-old Mac App Store. The new subsection of Amazon's massive online store, dubbed 'Mac Software Downloads,' kicked off quietly Thursday. Amazon has long offered software downloads for both Windows and Mac customers, but this was the first time that the company called out its Mac-centric 'store.' The retailer, however, apparently did not want to goad Apple into another legal battle by mimicking its rival's 'App Store' moniker: The two companies are already in court over Amazon's 'Appstore for Android,' which Apple claims violates its trademark. Unlike the Mac App Store, which Apple opened in early January, Amazon's includes the popular Office for Mac line from Microsoft."
Re:Walled garden (Score:3, Informative)
Mac users have been able to download software from websites ever since the first modem became available for the Mac. This has never been a problem for Apple, so why start now? Not saying it's impossible, but IMO very unlikely.
Re:Walled garden (Score:5, Informative)
It's just a disk image (DMG). The closest thing in the Linux/Windows world is the .ISO. However, unlike Windows, disk image mounting is built into the system as shipped by Apple. If you double click a DMG it just mounts. You can even create your own disk images that are encrypted (like True Crypt).
A ton of software for the Mac comes on DMGs. It makes copying install CDs rather easy on the Mac. It gets a real /dev/ device, to software it doesn't know if it's on a disk image or a real DVD.
All it sounds like is Amazon is a payment processor and providing bandwidth.
Re:I don't think it is unlikely (Score:2, Informative)
there are many hints in the upcoming Lion version of the OS of a further tilt towards the iOS look and feel. With iTunes offering the Mac App store and following the same model as used for iDevices it is not hard to imagine that OS X changes enough to where it requires "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES" that you use only iTunes to load software onto your Mac and "JAILBROKEN" Macs will not be eligible..
FUD