Mac Developer license falls to $99/year, Mac App Store coming?

Seth Weintraub
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March 04, 2010
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We're running on pure Ultra 94 Octane Speculation here but might Apple be readying a Mac App Store?

Before you hit the Flame button, hear us out.  Today, after that long outage, the App Store came back up with a survey, a new license agreement and a $99 Mac developer license that replaces the more expensive, tiered programs that were available before. (Sorry, no more hardware discounts!) 

What does this mean — besides there are going to be a whole lot more Snow Leopard Seed leaks?  

A $99 Mac Developer license means the barrier to Mac development is lowered for all of those thousands of developers who've had different measures of success on the iPhone.  Those developers, who can now port their apps to the Mac platform as widgets or full fledged Mac applications, need a means of distribution as well.  And a way to make some money, and a way to market and organize their applications…and, well you see where we're going here.  

Obviously the hated DRM question would be a big one.  Would Apple distribute protected applications for Mac?  Would it be over iTunes still?  Not sure.

Also, a Mac App Store doesn't necessarily mean that the old, manual way of distribution is going away.  But this move by Apple is perhaps signaling a new way for indie developers to build on the Mac platform.

So, to recap, you've got thousands more developers with a lower barrier of entry and no infrastructure who will create thousands of new unorganized Mac Applications.  These people don't have a way to distribute apps or a marketing budget or finance department.

And these Applications won't work on Windows or ChromeOS like those pesky Web Apps. 

A Mac App Store makes sense for Apple.

Comments (49)

mime454 | March 04, 2010 - 5:53pm

I'm kinda ticked about the no more hardware discounts. Does the student developer( If that still exists) still get a discount? Also what about WWDC tickets does everyone have to buy them now?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 6:03pm

Yes, as always, there is still the personal "higher ed" discount for students, faculty and staff. Ask the tech support people at your college or university.

Anderson (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 7:11pm

The student developer program discount was much better than the student discount

Digweedster (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 6:09pm

This has no effect on the student discount offered online and at the Apple stores.

Trickster (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 7:12pm

OP wasn't talking about the education discount. He was referring to the one time per lifetime hardware discount for the old $99 student developer membership. As for whether it is still around or not, I'm not sure.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 6:06pm

That's genius. An official App store for the Mac will help those that otherwise don't have the cycles or cash to market or sell their software a defacto standard forum for doing so. That sounds good for both free and non-free software.

A Mac app store is the way to go.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 11:19pm

Mac app store is death of Mac. If you don't have resources to sell or market your software then you don't have resources to support it and therefore you shouldn't be selling it in the first place. In boxed in system like iPhone single app can't do any damage to the system but on Mac it can create havoc.

Tallest Skil (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 6:09pm

Mac App Store?

NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO.

We all know what would happen with that. Not to say that there won't be another way to get applications, but if they kill the "any application from anywhere" model they have now, say goodbye to every single user.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 6:22pm

You really think that Apple would try to shut down non-appstore apps on their full size computers? I don't think that they would even consider it at this point. On the iPhone they moved from a position of NO native apps to controlled apps, the Mac already has a fully open system, they won't even try to box that in.

Carl (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 8:53pm

Given the fact that Apple is a monster on the strictness of things, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple did something like that.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 05, 2010 - 12:16am

Their computers are a different business. The iTunes App Store exists to sell and consolidate all note-worthy apps. Putting some restrictions is smart because at the end of the day you don't want an application that is going to make your most popular platform bad. Such as a graphic intensive photo editing software. If the hardware can't handle it then why allow an application that will make your system look bad? Or maybe an application is rushed out to the market and has glitches? A computer is another thing. It's meant to take on the hardest processor-intensive tasks so no restrictions will be placed an Apple App Store would be to consolidate and host all software. They would never close their computers down it's stupid. They probably haven't even thought of it. I for one am down as long as they allow applications from other sources and such as allowing Windows to run on their hardware is logical.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 05, 2010 - 3:56am

Sure, Apple is hard on screening those iPhone apps and making sure they work perfectly... Maybe in some dream world but never in the reality. Stores are there to make a profit and maximize the revenue gained from Apple products. Nothing more nothing less. If Apple opens Mac App store they want every possible Mac app there. Apple doesn't do show rooms. Its hard core retail all the way.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 6:25pm

I'd stay. It would be nice for a centralized place for me to get some apps. Right now I go off word of mouth or random finds on the internet. That will still be around, but a clearing house by Apple would be great.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 10:52pm

HELL NO! Are you insane or just mentally challenged? I want freedom on my Mac's and not some big brother saying what can or can't be done on my Mac. Cheers for Valve and Steam on Mac!!!

the Cappy (not verified) | March 05, 2010 - 4:04am

An app store run by Company X is insane, but an app store run by Company Y is great.

And you're calling the other guy insane or mentally challenged...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 05, 2010 - 5:28am

I'm pretty sure he was using a thing called irony there...

any user from anywhere (actually it's eric) (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 6:36pm

please explain what the "any application from anywhere" model is. if it's what it sounds like (being able to buy apps off the shelf, or download them from any site), i'm not sure anything that was speculated in the article would have any affect on that...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 11:07pm

Don't you see whats going on with Apple these days? Apple loves to control and I don't think no one would be surprised if they wanted to control the third party app distribution. If that ever happens then its time for me to switch to Windows.

yodaxl7 (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 6:23pm

I like the sound of that!! Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeett!!! Now, Apple, give us the new mac book pro!! Well, I am not in hurry, because I can't afford one now. It would be a great Christmas gift, though. I am getting the iPad, though!!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 10:55pm

Why do you want to loose the freedom of installing any app you like? Pimple face fanboys like you need to grow a brain.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 11:23pm

There is no need to insult him just because he is mentally challenged

Chris V. (not verified) | March 05, 2010 - 12:08am

You two who insulted him are the mentally challenged ones. What makes you think that Apple is going to take out the ability to download and install applications from other sources other than their store? Just because of the App store on the iPhone and iPod Touch? If you think that's the case then you are mentally retarded. Apple would never do that. It's not a smart business practice. I don't think they've even thought of it. It's just a place to consolidate all applications in one place. Think before you post. I for one would be all for a place to consolidate all software. As most developers. There are places that exist that do it already to such as softpedia. That's what Apple would do.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 05, 2010 - 3:48am

Well, lets see now... We have iPhone, iPod, iPad, AppleTV, iTunes... See the picture? Setting up any App Store for Mac would be incredibly stupid decision. Why? Because I would likely kill third party software retail channels and therefore make Mac closed environment. Mac has no real known viruses and no malware other then some Office macros so there is really no need to close the gates to the walled garden. However, as everyone knows Apple has tried to squeeze every cent from Mac retail (Apple retail stores, iTunes, Apple web store, AppleTV) so it would hardly be a surprise if they wouldn't want to control Mac app market too.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 6:52pm

I just looked and the premire and select membership still exsists along with the ADC hardware purchase program.

http://developer.apple.com/programs/adcbenefits/

Seth Weintraub | March 04, 2010 - 7:58pm

"We recently introduced a new Mac Developer Program that replaces ADC Premier, Select, and Student Memberships. If you are a current ADC member, you can continue to access your resources and benefits through the end of your membership year."

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giminicologu | June 28, 2010 - 12:18pm

Open source is great I mean software is very expensive and the people at Linux and Ubuntu are doing a great job with their software , I would say they should be rewarded and even start selling their product for a moderate sum through a easysaver program for clients.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 8:08pm

That is complete bullshit. I cannot believe I renewed my developer connection membership. Nice waste of $500. So do we still get seeds? An email from Apple saying, "Hey, we screwed you, here's your $400 credit" would be nice. I understand not refunding money on hardware refreshes, but screwing people who develop for your platform is stupid.

ih (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 10:57pm

Depending on when you renewed, Apple is providing refunds. Contact Developer Relations about refund eligibility.

davie (not verified) | March 04, 2010 - 8:29pm

No where does it say about a Mac App Store! Stop speculating!