Lab+2


 * Lab 2:**
 * Tutorial #3-January 20, 2011**

What do I think about the Mac App Store?

The Mac App Store is a new addition to the already popular line of Apple products that have been gaining attention from tech savvy individuals all over the world. Today’s Digital Innovation and Cultural Transformation tutorial prompted me with a question, regarding my overall opinion of this particular new feature of Mac, that allows an abundance of apps to be immersed into users’ everyday lives with just click of a button.

I do think that this particular feature is an innovative concept as they are taking the idea of apps from iPhones, iPod touch and iPads a level further. The idea of a Mac App Store makes a good case as it claims that there will be “no more boxes, no more disks, no more time-consuming installation” to deal with as opposed to when purchasing games through the traditional methods. With the profusion of apps for everything consumers can think of, the Mac App Store seems to be a win as it becomes an efficient and effective means of purchasing games and other utilities. In this sense the marketing and distribution planning of this product was ingenious as it allows customers to feel a sense of empowerment as all apps they could possibly think of, was just a click of a button away.

That being said however, there are major drawbacks to this idea that mainly revolve around what seems to be Apple’s intentions of monopolizing the Mac App Store and that could subsequently lead to the domination of the technological field in society. The fact that the User-Agreement of this App Store has numerous restrictions, gives an inclination of Apple’s possible monopolizing behaviour. The idea that no other app must bear resemblance to an already existing app of Apple is one case, another revolves around the idea that no app must be a trial or demo version, enforces consumer to depend on reviews and the tid-bit information given, to make their purchase. Apart from the monopolizing suggestive restrictions, the other drawback to this particular App Store is the concept of diminishing the usage of violent apps or games. Although parents and other individuals may agree with this idea, Apple’s seemingly largest group of consumers are teenagers and customers that are the purchasers of this genre of apps. Banning these apps will bring forth a slew of problems as it will prompt these customers to find other means of fulfilling their desires; be it through a competitor or resorting to illegal means.

These are all the ideas I consider as I evaluate this innovation. Although it is a step further for Apple, it does portray a monopolizing feature to the public, due to its many restrictions. I feel that these restrictions in future could become a great problem as consumers need to feel empowered, and having options of various products taken away leads to their rebellion and possibly the downfall of this idea.

"App Store - Buy, Download, and Install Apps Made for Mac." //Apple//. Web. 21 Jan. 2011. .
 * Works Cited**