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Jobs: no App Store equivalent planned for Mac

updated 10:00 pm EDT, Sun April 25, 2010

Jobs says Mac OS X to stay open


Apple chief Steve Jobs shot down worries about a Mac OS X equivalent to the App Store in an e-mail reply this weekend. When asked about a rumor that Apple would require approval for Mac apps, Jobs in a characteristically terse answer simply told developer Fernando Valente "nope."

The e-mail was verified by MacStories and Valente as coming from Apple.

Historically, Apple has tried to emphasize a split in design philosophy between the iPhone and Mac OS X platforms that would justify its different policies. A smartphone is typically more vulnerable to attack due to the always-on Internet connection; it's also more difficult to find apps without the benefit of a centralized app portal. Full computers have a more established security framework, and both retail stores as well as full-size web browsers make it easier to discover apps.

Few companies are trying central app stores on the desktop with the exception of Intel and Nokia, whose MeeGo OS will have an AppUp Center to get new apps for netbooks.




by MacNN Staff

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TAGS :

 Intel, iPhone, computers, industry, software, App Store, Apple, MeeGo

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Comments

  1. bjojade

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jun 2007

    +8
    04/25, 10:39pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    Although...

    An App store on the Mac would be a wonderful way to access apps. Finding them in stores can be a challenge. Having the option available would be great.

  1. NeXTLoop

    Senior User

    Joined: Aug 2002

    +3
    04/25, 11:25pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    Some people need to take a chill pill...

    ...and relax. This whole "rumor" started with a satirical article where the author was making fun of the iPhone App Store.

    You'd think people would be able to tell the difference between satire and news, without having to bother Jobs about it.

    Comment buried. Show
  1. facebook_Joshua

    Via Facebook

    Joined: Apr 2010

    -33
    04/26, 12:11am | report spam | Reply |

    Looks like a great time for App-Company.com

    App Ventures, LLC is building out a great site that will provide a place for all types of applications to be distributed and advertised. App-Company.com is a work in progress but will be a great place for developers to promote their apps, and leave the book keeping to us.

    It's going to allow for a developer to post an application(we will fully test), promote it, and simply collect a check from the sales. We will be processing all payments, offer full sales tracking, and share in the traffic directly from apps we present to the public that are built in house.

    There are still lots of details to work out and the site is definitely a work in progress but within 3 months or so it will be ready for application promotion of iPhone/iPad, Android, Mac/Windows desktop, and Web apps which pretty much covers any type of app you can imagine.

    Follow us on Twitter @AppCompany which will be used to keep our fans updated.

    Joshua Needham
    App Ventures, LLC

  1. iphonerulez

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2008

    -1
    04/26, 12:16am | report spam | Reply |

    An app store for the Mac would be alright

    as long as there are other alternatives to get software from. I think such a store could be good for consumers, but it would really start off some outburst in the industry. The pundits and haters would have a field day with their nonsensical "Steve Jobs is a tyrant" outcries. I think most consumers would be happy, but only they can decide that for themselves.

    I believe the reason Apple's mobile ecosystem is being kept so tight so as to have a trouble-free communications device that has a consistent feel to it for any consumer that uses it. I keep hearing that it's stifling users, but I don't see how that is possible. There has never been a mobile platform with such depth and expanse so I don't see how it's restricting. I guess it's all how you look at it.

    I swear I don't understand Android at all due to all the variations in UI, but it's obviously a plus for some users.

  1. ggirton

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    -8
    04/26, 03:05am | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    Steve said

    there wouldn't be a tablet, either. And now there is one.

    I'm guessing there will be a Mac App Store within two years.

  1. herojig

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2009

    -1
    04/26, 03:44am | report spam | Reply |

    Big difference, even if it ever happened...

    There would be a big difference between having an APP store for MAC, and the one we see today for ipad/iphone/touch: the latter is restricted and the only place to get apps while staying within the EULA of say the iphone. There is no way this would work in the mac world, although the idea would be nice for some mac app developers who don't want the hassle of using klutzy shopping carts of various descriptions. Customers would benefit from a one stop shop as well, but it would have to be voluntary shopping and not required. But it's mute, as I don't think Apple would ever do this for mac apps as it would #1 show the absolute lunacy of the current restrictions facing everyone involved in the iphone/ipad/touch application strategy.

  1. DanielSw

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2009

    +8
    04/26, 05:58am | report spam | Reply |

    Do people "get it" or not?

    Short memories for most: the iPhone started out with NO apps and with Apple suggesting that Web 2.0 apps could be created and run in Safari. That really didn't fly, so It took Apple a good while to get everything worked out within the iPhone OS--what to allow and what to disallow; the App Store; the developer program: etc.

    The whole app store structure and process was Apple's solution to allow third-party app development all while ensuring a consistent user experience and an adequate level of security and performance for what was and is a communication device.

    It remains to be seen if any competitor can pull off such a feat with any comparable level of success. So far, no one has.

    The problem--whenever a "problem" is conceived to exist--is that some people object to that level of control. It's ironic in that the control is only at the "edges" and that there is actually a lot of freedom for creativity within the boundaries of the iPhone OS, given a good comprehension of its overall functionality.

  1. JeffHarris

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 1999

    +3
    04/26, 08:21am | report spam | Reply |

    Fear Factor

    There's a well defined ecosystem for finding and buying Mac software. Although, I wish Apple would publicize web sites like MacUpdate and VersionTracker as excellent sources for shareware and freeware applications.

    There's a big difference between downloading a 3 MB calculator app for my iPad (Digits, great!) and downloading something like CS5 or Vectorworks or some other huge beast that requires a DVD (or 2) for installation. Then there's the matter of archiving, re-Installations, installing on multiple Macs (you NEVER do that, righhhht?)... disk delivery serves multiple purposes.


    It amazes me the levels of fear, hatred and sheer stupidity of the anti-Apple/Mac/iOS crowd and the foolish rumors they try to push. If this one started as a joke, then it sinks even lower. Why bother trying to address these idiocies. Apple isn't a predatory company like Microsoft and some don't seem capable of fathoming that. Yes Apple has rules and guidelines and some well-publicized, though minor s**** ups. And it makes one wonder who's pushing the negative rumors so hard.

    Just look at the way Windows installations require verification keys and such vs. Mac OS X which doesn't. Again, these people live in a crazy little world where facts needn't distort their carefully fabricated realities.

    Gotta love literalists. Delusion and self-deception as an art form!

  1. tundaman

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2010

    -3
    04/26, 08:57am | report spam | Reply |

    Business mode?

    I was shocked by those news initially, but then I thought that it could be a great way to keep things more "tight" in a corporate environment, where a company provides macs to workers and want to keep control of what is installed/used.

    Perhaps some way to allow corporates to handle their own little app "stores" and a "business mode" MacOS user account which would only allow certified apps to be installed and used, just like the iPhone.

    I think it would be a welcome plus that could help Apple to pave it's way into corporate environments.

  1. sporehunter

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2010

    0
    04/26, 09:32am | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    The real question is this

    It's not a matter if Apple provides a App Store for Mac programs, but if Apple decides to close OS X to programs only from the Mac App Store and thus making a Mac a computing appliance like the iPad. This is where the fear lies. It all started with the iPad taking the place of the MacBook line. People wanted a open Mac tablet, NOT a closed iPhone tablet. People want control over their device, to run what they want, from where they want. Take the story with Google Voice being booted off the App Store as a prime example of the dangers of a closed, controlled system with a overlord deciding what is good for you and chiefly them. Having run the iPad Safari User Agent on my Mac, my LittleSnitch outgoing firewall warned me of a covert connection from Safari to Akamai servers while visiting the New York Times website. Although I'm sure I could trust Akamai and the New York Times not to do something malicious, that doesn't apply to trick links, p*** sites or hacked sites. How would one know if their Mac is exploited and terminal process is uploading all your vital data to some server in China or part of a botnet DOSing a government site? You wouldn't with a closed device and the notoriously insecure Safari web browser because Apple won't even put a outgoing firewall in OS X, much less on the App Store. Apple is going entirely too far with it's closed architecture creep, even Microsoft laughed and said their devices are more open than Apple's when Apple introduced the iPad. For some the closed iPad is good option, children and techno-noobs fine, no big deal. If it wasn't for Apple nearly removing all MacBooks for a line of iPads I wouldn't care.

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