How does the Mac App Store compare to MacUpdate Desktop?

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Level 2

254 points

How does the Mac App Store compare to MacUpdate Desktop?

So far I have been using MacUpdate desktop to keep ALL my apps up-to-date, a very easy process. With the advent of the Mac App Store I now have to deal with two processes to achieve that.

What do all think about the usefulness of creating a separate and closed update environment with the Mac App Store? Is this better? Or not?

MacBook Pro, 15.3", 4 GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jan 14, 2011 1:47 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 14, 2011 1:52 PM in response to Herbert

What do all think about the usefulness of creating a separate and closed update environment with the Mac App Store? Is this better? Or not?

I don't think it's a case of better or worse. The Mac App Store is simply another means of distributing applications. One that happens to make it easy for developers to get their apps out there for large audience to see.

Matt

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Answer 2

Herbert Author

Level 2

254 points

Jan 14, 2011 2:07 PM in response to Matthew Morgan

Thank you Matt, I agree.

But I am having major troubles with "for a large audience to see", as the quick browsing of apps is a real pain in the App Store compared to, say, quickly scanning Google search results to decide which link to click.

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Answer 3

Jan 14, 2011 2:14 PM in response to Herbert

I agree.

Browsing is not the stores strong suit at the moment.

I usually find out about new software by reading articles and reviews.

I also think with time, the App Store will mature and develop.

In the meantime, I share your thoughts with Apple through the feedback link here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

You're certainly not alone in wanting to see some changes.

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/216786/tenchanges_wed_like_to_see_at_the_mac_appstore.html

Matt

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Answer 4

Jan 14, 2011 4:16 PM in response to Herbert

Hi,

There is one very important difference between other update hubs and Mac App Store (MAS): the latter will not update apps that you have not purchased through MAS. MAS did correctly recognize some of the 3rd party apps on my mac, but refuses to update them, and doesn't even recognize quite a few others—all "properly" installed in the Applications folder. One of the developers of the unrecognized software that I contacted explained:

"Unfortunately, your previous purchase doesn't count as the Mac App Store purchase. Even if any other application you haven't bought through the Mac App Store shows up as "Installed" you won't be notified when the update comes out or be able to re-download it. Therefore, If you want to deal with upcoming updates through the Mac App Store, you would have to purchase XXXXXXXX through it. This is how the Mac App Store works and we can’t do anything about it."

Unfortunately for the end-user, some of the developers are adopting MAS 100% cutting ties with their previous modes of distribution, which means that we'll have to re-purchase the apps. 😟

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Answer 5

jpp_zoso

Level 1

0 points

Jan 20, 2011 11:54 PM in response to Herbert

one huge advantage i see in the macupdate web site (not so much the desktop app) vs. the mac app store is the suggested similar apps.

there are a few apps i use that macupdate desktop will alert me to when an update is available, but the app cannot install the update. graphic converter comes to mind. then there are the apps than can be installed from macupdate desktop, but the installation is for trialware vs. full app. idefrag and ipartition used to be like this, not sure if they still are or not. i stopped checking.

helpful in the macupdate desktop to be able to selectively ignore/don't check for updates for specific apps...in particular for my two powerpc machines.

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Answer 6

Jun 9, 2011 8:18 AM in response to Herbert

MacUpdate Desktop will find updates to over 30,000 (and growing every day - MacUpdate is updated 24/7) Mac apps, screen savers, widgets, pref panes, and plug-ins. The MAS will only manage and update apps you have purchases from Apple through the MAS, and will not update non-apps (widgets, pref panes, screen savers, or plug-ins) and the MAS does not contain many popular commercial applications from major software companies. The MAS also requires an Intel Mac and Mac OS 10.6 or later - MacUpdate Desktop will run on PPC and update PPC apps too, on Mac OS 10.5 or later. You can easily browse and search for apps on MacUpdate.com, and then with a single click, have MacUpdate Desktop download and install any app of interest. The community support on MacUpdate.com - reviews and similar app suggestions - make discovering new apps fast and easy. Any apps purchased from MacUpdate Promo will also be displayed in MacUpdate Desktop, allowing you to easily download and install them as well. MacUpdate actively develops and updates MacUpdate Desktop and continues to add new features and benefits. Feel free to contact MacUpdate with any further questions - desktop<at>macupdate<dot>com.

I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link. <Edited by Host>

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