Head to Head: Intel AppUp vs Apple Mac App Store
App stores aren't just for smartphones - they're now invading our desktops. But which model should the industry follow - Intel's netbook-focussed shopfront or Apple's tightly-policed App Store?
Conclusion
Both AppUp and the Mac App Store are reasonably mature given the relative obscurity of Intel's store and the very recent introduction of Apple's store. It seems obvious to us that both stores are heavily based on the iPhone App Store. We'd be very surprised if Microsoft or Amazon weren't planning a Windows app store of their own. If they are, they could learn a few lessons from the efforts of Apple and Intel.
The ideal desktop app store would have the refined interface and flexible payment options of the Mac App Store, an apps recommendation and social networking component similar to the one in iTunes as well as volume licensing and the ability for existing customers to get discounted upgrades to new versions of apps. This ideal app store would also have a more liberal admissions policy than either Apple's or Intel's, but we doubt this will happen.
IT managers in the workplace will be initially tempted to block access to app stores considering the large number of games and social networking apps available on both AppUp and the Mac App Store. IT professionals will likely want to preserve their control over what software can be installed on deployed computers, if only to reduce any potential technical support headaches. However, these app stores could provide a model for companies to use for distributing their own internal software.
Smaller companies may be tempted to try out the commercial app stores however, given their liberal copy protection policies, even though they're explicitly licensed for households rather than offices. What's clear is that app stores are here to stay and their continued evolution will be fascinating to watch.
Verdict
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
-
Why Intel is pushing for developers to adopt AI PCs
News A new Intel initiative aims to drive developer adoption of AI PCs and improve synergy with the hardware makers building these next-generation devices
By Steve Ranger
-
Tiny11 review: Windows 11 with only 2GB of RAM
Review A version of Windows 11 for older machines that don't meet the full requirements
By Nik Rawlinson
-
Red Hat Enterprise Linux becomes foundational operating system for Cohesity Data Cloud
News New strategic partnership between Red Hat and Cohesity aims to drive innovation in the data security and management space
By Daniel Todd
-
Ubuntu shifts to four-week update cycle
News Critical fixes will also come every two weeks, mitigating the issues involved with releasing prompt patches on the old three-week cadence
By Richard Speed
-
AlmaLinux follows Oracle in ditching RHEL compatibility
News Application binary compatibility is now the aim with 1:1 now dropped
By Richard Speed
-
How big is the Windows 10 cliff-edge?
ITPro Network With some comparing the upcoming Windows 10 end of life to Windows XP, we ask members of the ITPro Network for their insight
By Jane McCallion
-
Everything you need to know about the latest Windows 11 updates - from bug fixes to brand-new features
News Two new cumulative updates are on the way and will be installed automatically on Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines
By Rory Bathgate
-
How to download a Windows 11 ISO file and perform a clean install
Tutorial Use a Windows 11 ISO to install the operating system afresh
By John Loeppky