How do you use apps in iTunes on my iMac?

It should be in your Applications folder.

Surely apps from the iTunes store are for iOS?

Ones for OS X come from the Mac App Store?

iOS Apps are purchased through the App Store iOS Applet that comes on iOS devices. Actually you are right, Apps in iTunes are just a backup of your iOS Apps. No iOS App can be used directly on a Mac. Unfortunately you guessed it, that means iBook eBooks are not readable on Macs. You'll need to get Kindle or ePub based books to read them on your Mac.

Don't tell me your trying to download iOS apps like "drawsomething" in itunes and think you can use it on your Apple computer. The Apple computer is not a giant iPhone, Any apps you download in itunes will only work on iOS devices like iPods, iTouch, iPhone, If your in need of applications for your Mac use the Mac App Store that is preinstalled on your Mac. Again A computer is not a iPod or iPhone they are diffrent OS

Frankly, I sympathise with you. I have never understood why the system does not ask what machine you are going to use a download on.

It's all very well for those in the know but it is an unfortunate and maybe costly learning curve for those who are new to a range apps that appear to be growing like topsy.

If it is an App that you download from the App Store on the iPad/iPhone, it actually tells you the App is for the iPad or iPhone or both. But never shall those ever meet with Mac OS X Apps. Apple has a separate App Store application for downloading Apps on the Mac, that is not part of iTunes that is part of Mac OS X 10.6.6 and later.

Thanks a brody,

Not having any IOS items I have not needed to know about them, but I have seen various references to people trying to mis-load some Apps. If you have a moment, what circumstances may have brought this about.

iTunes is used as a repository to backup iOS installed Apps and documents when you sync your iOS device. You can choose which iOS Apps you have loaded on your iOS device you want to sync back to your iOS device during a fresh restore from iTunes, and hence the reason it is used to hold onto your iOS Apps. It has nothing to do with the Apps you use on your Mac. That's completely managed on the Mac App Store (just called App Store in your Mac's Applications's folder, 10.7+ Launcher, and Applications folder of Mac OS X. Some Mac Apps are more flexible than others in where they are stored, but when you go to upgrade an App it often expects to reside in your Hard drive -> Applications folder.

Big thank you.