So the Mac app store is finally here!  (After I wrote about this two years ago).  This is a huge step, that will fundamentally change the way desktop software is sold.

I’ve been buying small indie/utility apps on-line for years (e.g. photography tools, text editors, PDF tools, etc.), but it’s a pain:  entering payments, dealing with registration codes, doing updates, etc.  Many large software vendors are offering on-line purchase and download options, and Valve’s Steam platform has been around for a while, but it’s only for games.

This is great for consumers:   great (and growing) selection with a seamless purchase, download and install experience.  Physical media is quickly becoming obsolete.

But things may be less-great for developers.  First, like the iOS platforms, Apple will only allow approved apps.  Also, in exchange for Apple handling payment, distribution, and install, developers have to give up 30% of the sale price.  (Think of this as Apple starting to control and tax the desktop software business).  But most importantly, the ecosystem is becoming so efficient, it will be very competitive, with prices dropping over time (just like they did for the iPhone app store).

But what boggles me the most is Microsoft — are they completely asleep?!?  They still have ~90% market share, and Microsoft could have easily drafted Apple’s early app store experience into an app store for Windows.   They’d be years ahead by now.

It’s a great time to be a consumer.