Amazon Challenges Apple With Mac App Store

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."

Good News

[crmarvin42]

I find it funny that some think Apple will feel threatened by this. The Mac App Store is a recent addition, before that the vast majority of Apple software was not purchased through Apple. Outside if Apple titles (iWork, iLife, etc.), I've only purchased 3 programs through Apple's website or Mac App Store. The rest are purchased from individual vendor's websites, or someplace like Amazon. As the Mac installed base grows, there will be more than enough sales to go around for both of these stores to exist. Especially since some of the titles on the Amazon store cannot be sold through the Mac App Store due to incompatibility with the stores limits on what the app can do (Office comes to mind).

According to some reports, Amazon has been selling these downloads for a while, but has only recently decided to create a sub-store to highlight their availability. Kudo's to them, because I didn't even know they offered downloads of Mac software! This is a big win for consumers because competition breeds better services, lower prices, and greater visibility for the platform. Most mac fanbois, especially those from the dark pre-OSX days, will applaud this as a "Good Thing TM".

Re:Walled garden

[CharlyFoxtrot]

Despite not owning any Apple products, I could imagine them pushing a silent update to all devices that simply blocks the site in question. Or starting to sign their software cryptographically, and making sure their systems only accept valid signatures. Or any other way, actually...

You know what helps against that ? Wrapping your computer in tinfoil. In fact, you should save some to make yourself a hat too, just in case...

I don't think it is unlikely

[Shivetya]

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.

I know, they can't force people to upgrade to that version of the OS. Sure they can't directly, but indirectly they will. They will add features to the mac that people want as well as exploit the mindset that exist in the Apple community.

I think my iMac is great but I am getting closer each day to believing it is the last Mac I will ever buy.