It appears that Apple is ready to do to Mac OS what they've done to their iPhone and iPad - lock out applications that do not pay to be in their “Mac Apps Store.” Gawker reports that in order for developers to put their applications in the new App store that they will have to submit the programs for Apple review and concede to giving Apple 30% of their revenue from sales. If developers refuse, they will lose the easy accessibility and automatic update features.
In essence, Jobs wants to make your computer an appliance.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing. The whole Apple mantra is that it “just works.” This will definitely help push the Mac even further in that direction. When you buy something from the new Mac Apps Store, just like from the iTunes store, you know that it will run flawlessly on your device. On the other hand, you lose a lot of flexibility of competing software - it's their way or the highway. In addition, it gives Apple a lot of power to censor what is displayed on their device.
While this move might make sense for the people who don't think of technology as anything but a tool, it could also push some users away from Mac and over to a more open platform like Windows or even the “dead” Linux. The question is whether users want a computer or an appliance. Jobs is betting that most people want something that works as easily as their microwave rather than having something that's versatile but more work to manage.
It should be noted that you will still be able to load programs in the traditional sense, but if you want to have your software in the App store, then you will have to play by Apple's rules.
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