16 Jun, 2011 | Author: Imre | Filed under:
There are tens of thousands of software tools out there for both Windows and for Mac. I haven't researched the numbers, but I suspect Windows is still the predominant platform when it comes to this. I have been trying out software since the days of Amiga in 1989. There is a tool for practically every application. With the coming of the App Store it is now so easy to try and buy software, that they have become a commodity, even to the majority of end-users.
The souq for modern software
A new phenomenon in software industry is "The Market" or "App Store". Cleverly chosen names for virtual shopping places that fit our mental models of physical stores and market places.
Google's Android mobile platform has the Market. Every Apple related device able to run apps (i.e. iPhone, iPad and OSX based computers) has App Store. This nicely worked out central repository of both paid and (near) free applications, games and tools (apps) allows you to browse 'apps' tailored to your device. Just like real stores and markets you know the price, you know what you're going to get and most important: you can compare. The only difference is there is no bargaining.
I remember our local photo store back in 1986 was about the first store to have a small shelf of Commodore64 software. The choice was limited, but it was categorized and every month or so, new titles would appear. In today's world, people may Google for software they need. But most people I know to actually Google for software are computer savvy people. Most people around me have no real interest in their computer except for basic tasks like e-mail, MSN and browsing. Their knowledge and understanding (on the subject) won't reach beyond their village borders. They will therefore never know about the handy software which exists out there, except for those that still lie on real shelves in real stores that they may pick up. They will not miss any of these software titles, yet.
When Apple released its first iPod in 2001, iTunes relieved these village boundaries on music. MP3 was an alien term to most people, until then. iTunes lifted barriers to online software (music that is) by offering a mechanism that seamlessly integrated consumer electronics with an easy-to-use library. Installing iTunes opened the doors to digital albums from around the globe. iTunes is combined with a smooth payment system for easy checkout. So people can get music on their ipods, easily, fast and cheaper than the physical albums. Ease of use is encompassed by the whole process of searching, browsing, choosing, acquiring and listening.
Apple's app store follows the same principles: easy-to-use, fast and 'cheap'. Amazingly, the PC market did not jump into this gap between iTunes and App Store. Google's Market Place is the first software 'store' besides the App Store to take off. Nokia and Microsoft tried for mobile markets, but failed. The success of Apple's App Store however is still unparalleled. It's a matter of clicking the App Store icon and search or browse through the titles that may be relevant for you. The actual browsing highlighted apps is as fun as shopping for physical goods (for men this applies to gadgets and computer hardware mostly). Great software literally can be yours to use with a click.
The downsides
I am in no way denying the fact those physical albums hold value, since you get to hold something in your hand. Sometimes they are designed fashionably and make out as little design masterpieces, which I personally fancy.
The success of the markets and stores comes at a price. 30% of the pricing in Apple's App Store goes straight to Apple.
While Apple holds much acclaim for their user friendly interfaces, including the ones one iPod, iPad and iPhone, they sometimes totally flunk in their user design patterns. Particularly iTunes has a very rigid way of getting things done, which doesn't allow for workarounds or configuration to your personal taste. This however is again a complaint from the computer savvy, as the majority of people make do and think of iTunes as the best.
The licensing aspects of software has become topic for much debate and for good reason. While you purchase software from online 'stores', the software will never be yours, except 'yours to use'.
Conclusion
A seamlessly integrating platform that is easy to used and which holds the whole purchase chain from author to end-user is the crucial factor for success of software sales. This chain lacks for sure on PC. For PC there are several websites offering instant access to huge collections of applications. [Sourceforge and Windows], but they are not the same. Although Apple has its own peculiar intricacies, their App Store makes it easy to try, buy and purge software as it is with a softdrink.
Guy Kawaski in Welcome to Macintosh: "The question that keeps getting asked with Apple is: Why hasn't anybody done it before?"
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