Monday, November 8, 2010

Mac App Store Changes Software Distribution

The upcoming Apple Mac "App Store" might change the way software gets packaged, developed and sold in the OS X part of the PC market, one might suggest, either augmenting or displacing the "preloaded when you buy it" or "shrink wrapped product sold in retail stores" models.

Some might argue that is the whole point, mirroring in the device software market the shift from physical to virtual distribution of music, video and other information products. Similar ecosystem issues also will grow.

Developers might not like having to abide by Apple's terms and conditions. Developers might not like the compensation schemes or rates. But consumers probably will get used to the idea. Even Best Buy already has announced that it will, at some point, cease to sell shrink wrapped movies in its retail stores.

One has to wonder whether music and software will be that far behind.

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