Step One: Apple announces App Store for Macs.

[Delusibeta]

Hmmm... Apple has announced [http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/10/20/hmm-the-app-store-on-mac/] an App Store for Macs. While RPS is wondering how that will undermine Steam on Macs and what Microsoft will respond with, I'm more worried about Apple pulling an iOS and locking down the platform. To quote Ron Gilbert [http://twitter.com/grumpygamer]

Step 1: Mac App Store + 3rd party apps. Step 2: User option to disallow 3rd party apps for "safety". Step 3: [Force that option and] Remove that option.

Conspiracy or tin-foil-hat talk? Discuss.

 

[TeeBs]

Fuck money make bitches

 

[cynicalandbored]

It's a dodgy move alright, I don't trust it. It's too close to a lockdown for comfort. Word on the street is that you'll still be able to install applications the good, old-fashioned way. But it's not the most reassuring move.

 

[Delusibeta]

It's a dodgy move alright, I don't trust it. It's too close to a lockdown for comfort. Word on the street is that you'll still be able to install applications the good, old-fashioned way. But it's not the most reassuring move.

That is what I understand too. They can't exactly say "buy the way, you can only install new stuff via the App Store", because that would cause uproar. However, this is very much a gently-gently approach.

To be fair to Apple, Ubuntu had a similar idea for years. However, Linux is something you can't exactly lock down, since all of your userbase will just use another version and/or make an alternative, jailbroken version.

 

[cynicalandbored]

That is what I understand too. They can't exactly say "buy the way, you can only install new stuff via the App Store", because that would cause uproar. However, this is very much a gently-gently approach.

To be fair to Apple, Ubuntu had a similar idea for years. However, Linux is something you can't exactly lock down, since all of your userbase will just use another version and/or make an alternative, jailbroken version.

Yeah, that and Linux is entirely based on open-source, so that wouldn't fly with the community. Like you say, they'd just move on to a different version. Though as things go, iOS is pretty easy to hack in the end of the day, so I don't see why Lion wouldn't be either if they decided to go down that road.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

And if Microsoft tried something like this they'd be sued up the yin yang, presumably by Apple themselves. My double standard senses are tingling.

 

[Vigormortis]

First this, then all of our Macs and Macbooks will be limited to running only one app at a time. Follow that up with dropped keyboard/mouse support and the next thing we know, Apple's sole product will be the iPod and it's subsequent varients. (iPad. iPhone. ect.)

 

[Danzaivar]

After using the synaptic package manager on Ubuntu I can say this is only a good thing. Even IF they tried to lock it down (which they won't), there'd be a way to hack an opening in. No way they can make OSX as closed source as the iPhone.

 

[George Palmer]

I don't think they will make it so you HAVE to download content through their app store, but it may become so popular that the popularity will make you have to download content through their app store.

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, they make very well designed products that work that people want. This will probably be the case in this instance as well if the iOS app store is any indication.

Whats going to be funny is when MS tries to do it as well and its sucks really really hard. lol!

 

[Th37thTrump3t]

Spoiler: I thought of this video the instant I read the OP...

"I'll buy anything shiny and made by Apple." PRICELESS!!!

 

[Th37thTrump3t]

While RPS is wondering how that will undermine Steam on Macs

Maybe they could incorporate Steam into the App Store somehow? They're basically the same.