News: Mac App Store Launches with 10.6.6

Today is the big day that Apple launched the Mac App Store. Just like the version built into iTunes for iOS devices, the Mac App Store lets you purchase and update applications, rather than dealing with each individually. Unlike the iOS one, it is a separate application and is available when you install Mac OS X 10.6.6 (via Software Update).

Right now, the selections look rather similar to that on the iOS App Store, but slightly more expensive. Fortunately, you can buy iWork pieces separately for $19.99—$10 more than the iPad versions, and iLife applications for $14.99. Don’t edit movies? Skip iMovie and get just iPhoto. It’s a great idea.

Apple today announced that the Mac App Store is now open for business with more than 1,000 free and paid apps. The Mac App Store brings the revolutionary App Store experience to the Mac, so you can find great new apps, buy them using your iTunes account, download and install them in just one step. The Mac App Store is available for Snow Leopard users through Software Update as part of Mac OS X v10.6.6.

“With more than 1,000 apps, the Mac App Store is off to a great start,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We think users are going to love this innovative new way to discover and buy their favorite apps.”

In our brief tests with it so far, it works as advertised and there are a number of good, free apps available. It did recognize some of our already existing applications as being purchased (mostly iWork and iLife items), but did not for some third-party ones (Pixelmator, Evernote, and TextWrangler).

The App Store also marks the release of Twitter’s official app for the Mac, which is based off of the acquired application, Tweetie. It looks and works similar to the iPad version, although the pop-out panels float over the desktop. Does this release mean we will see more iOS-“inspired” apps appear on the Mac App Store?