Lets start off nice and easy with a report from The Loop that claims that the Mac App Store is on track for it’s previously announced January 2011 launch date. The reason The Loop even bothered to release this tidbit of information came after reports emerged that the Mac App Store was due to launch today. Of course, it didn’t.
The Loop:
Reports earlier this week claimed Apple would launch the Mac App Store on December 13, ahead of the holiday shopping season. However, according to my sources, Apple will launch the store in the new year.
Secondly, MacStories reports that the Mac App Store will not have promo codes like the iOS App Store does. These promo codes are used by developers as a way to spread the word regarding their applications. So, no promo codes, along with no “demos, trial version or bets” on the Mac App Store. That means it will be up to developers to offer any of these through their own websites.
Next up, Apple announced that iOS developers can now submit applications to the Mac App Store with the same name as their equivalent iOS apps. Previously Apple was not going to allow for duplicate names across the two stores, however they seem to have relented, and developers can now keep use the same name across stores, which will help developers maintain branding consistency.
Lastly, 9to5Mac is reporting that the new iTunes Connect Developer Guide, the same document that holds some of the revelations mentioned above, states that the Mac App Store will not have some of the same features as it’s iOS counterpart. Most notably, the Mac App Store will not support in-app purchases, nor will there be a Game Center functionality.
So, nothing terribly shocking being reported here. However, I think Apple is missing an opportunity with a hypothetical Game Center for the Mac. This could spur gaming on the Mac, and could even open the door to multiplayer competitions across OS X and iOS. To be honest, I expect Game Center, along with in-app purchases to be added to the Mac App Store at a later date.
Continue reading:
- Everything New Apple Just Announced (Septembe
- Apple Watch Pre-Order
- Apple Research Kit launches with 5 Apps
- Apple TV now only $69
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