October 25, 2010
The Mac App Store
You’ve surely heard of that new Mac App Store coming very soon to Macs near you. It’s a new way for us (developers) to distribute and for you (users) to discover, install, and update all those great Mac OS X apps we create.
All the crew at the Pixelmator Team is very excited about the new Mac App Store, as users and, especially, as developers. I believe (and it’s not just me) that the Mac App Store is going to be an absolute hit.
Specifically for us, the good thing is that once we are in the Store, we will finally be able to focus completely on Pixelmator improvements, quality, and new features instead of worrying about how to reach our customers (we need as many customers as possible to continue or even boost our innovation march), build the best website, or manage a Web store. We would be very happy to be able to simply focus on creating the best image editor for the Mac.
Other benefits of being in the Mac App Store include the fact that we won’t need to spend time and energy developing our own update systems (though I really do like our software update), Web store shelves, licensing systems, anti-piracy measures, and other things like that. We are good at creating the best Mac apps – and should do only that.
So, I just wanted to clearly state that the Pixelmator Team is very excited about and will totally support the new Mac App Store. Pixelmator will definitely be there.
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Inc
how do you plan to port over existing users that have already paid for your product…
Saulius
Inc,
we’ll see what Apple has to offer us about that. I am sure they will come up with something.
Johnathan Barrett
Well if there are promo codes like there are in iPhone App Store couldn’t you generate some and email one to each user that has paid for it from the website or something like that?
Saulius Dailide
In that case we should and we would.
gw
You’ll turn off the buy section of the site completely – i.e. direct it to the mac store? Is this a requirement from APPL? Sorry I havent looked into it that far.
Saulius Dailide
GW,
no, we will not turn anything off. The Mac App Store is an extra thing. At least for a while.
RichardB
Unfortunately promo codes only work in the US.
Wooster
You know, when I saw iWork in the app store, I knew it would only be a matter of time before an update billing system gets put into place. Just wait for the iPad 2.0 keynote.
Speaking of 2.0… I know you cannot commit to anything what with the future being a nebulous uncertainty, but are you going to try to wedge Pixelmator 1.X into the App store, or wait for Pixelmator 2?
infilmity
So we need to buy again for the new upgrades? sad…
Saulius Dailide
Wooster,
we are to start with 1.X.
dravine
“So we need to buy again for the new upgrades? sad…”
Who said anything at all about that?
Simon
When reading this article, it seems like you think a website has no added value and is just unnecessary overhead, even though the Pixelmator site houses this blog and the even more important Learn section. I think you’re writing off the website as an information source too soon. I don’t think with the App Store coming developers should stop spending time on websites. While it’s true that not all apps need a website (just like not every iPhone app has it’s own website), I would be dissappointed if you stopped putting effort in a good website that serves as an official resource to the app.
Sheryl
When reading this article, it seems like you think a website has no added value and is just unnecessary overhead, even though the Pixelmator site houses this blog and the even more important Learn section.
I didn’t read that in the post at all.
Plenty of iPhone and iPad applications have their own extremely useful web sites, in addition to their App Store presences. There is no reason to assume that every independent developer of a Mac application is suddenly going to abandon the separate web site due to joining the Mac App Store.
In any case, I am thrilled about the new Mac App Store! I have confidence that issues like existing user licenses and such will be ironed out and I look forward to a one-stop shop for my non-Apple Mac programs, like Pixelmator.
Tab
There are some serious downsides to this that leave me more than wary of the entire concept. While it may eliminate the need to roll your own update system (largely unnecessary anyway due to Sparkle), the approval process introduces considerable delay between the time bugs or vulnerabilities are discovered and the time the corresponding fix hits the store and your users. Furthermore, the App Store’s terms enforce strict software design patterns that outright forbid modular software, so don’t plan on ever having a plugin architecture for Pixelmator. Nevermind the hand full of even more outrageous restrictions, such as “All app icons should be similar, so as to not to cause confusion” and “Apps that look similar to Apple Products or apps bundled on the Mac, including the Finder, iChat, iTunes, and Dashboard, will be rejected”, or even “Apps that change the native user interface elements or behaviors of Mac OS X will be rejected” (which may well effect Pixelmator).
Saulius Dailide
The Mac App Store has nothing to do with any plug-in architecture at all. We do have a complete plug-in architecture (Core Image Units and Quartz Composer compositions) and it does not violate any of the Mac App Store rules.
Dave
I’m curious about how upgrades will be handled. For example, if I upgrade to v.2.0, I would be charged a nominal upgrade fee using the current model. However, going back to the AppStore, there is no upgrade path for apps. The pricing is not tiered, but flat. Each user pays for the new version. Is there any information on how upgrade pricing is going to be handled in the new MacAppStore?
DaveyJJ
Love Pixelmator. There, I said it. And it takes a really good app to make me, a user of Apple computers since the late 1970s to take notice. Please let us know how you’ll be handling demo versions (I guess through this site only), upgrade pricing when you move through to v2.0 (I guess through this site only), how you expect to communicate directly with new App Store customers (Apple does not give you user info or emails), etc.
I am one of those devs saddened to know that within two years Apple will control 80-90% of software sales for OSX. While there are many, many great advantages to this model (as you have pointed out and that I have to acknowledge), theere are a huge number of downsides as well.
Good luck.
Simon
You clearly didn’t read my comment properly. The Pixelmator team seems to think they can stop spending time on their apps website as per this article. I think they’re wrong.
Saulius Dailide
Simon,
we won’t stop developing our website, but our web store.
J Bear
Love your product, I’d just as soon by it directly from you, no offense to His Steveness and Company.
Jared
Hey Saulius, I can see where you are coming from and I’m with you. I can’t wait to get the App Store. Finding new software is going to be so much easier. Change always scares people, they will get used to it over time and then we will wonder how we ever did without it.
It’s funny how people get so upset over pretty much nothing. This is just another way for you guys to get your product out and sell more. What’s wrong with that. I think we need to be asking people WHY they wont be in the App Store. Keep up the good work, and thank you for saving us from Adobe.
Dave
I don’t think people are “upset”. I’m certainly not. I think I’d rather buy a product directly from the vendor though, not from a centrally managed location. I feel this way about the AppStore, and I feel this way about the MacAppStore. I am also apprehensive about trials, and upgrades, because thus far, no vendor has provided a clear path for those things. If done properly, the MacAppStore can be a great idea. I just want to see the implementation before declaring it to be so.
Will
Will you offer a version for purchase somewhere other than the Mac App store?
There are quite a few users who disagree with Apple’s central control with the MacApp store. I for one will not be using it at all.
ikir
I can’t wait to see PixelMator on Mac App Store, i’m sure it will be a huge success for you! You really deserve it.
Oli
Hm,
I can say for me: If I buy an App I really want to give the vendor 100% not 70% of the price! Apple has nothing to do with this App. The problem is, as developer, you have to change everything and cannot use APIs/frameworks as you want. This often prevent me to make an iOS App. If Pixelmator will use the Mac App Store, ok? Its a decision!
In 10.7 the App Store will be an extra platform – but what is the “next step”? If you look further…
Arkadiusz M?ynarczyk
@Oli
I couldn’t agree with you, Apple have a lot to do with almost every app on Mac OS X (or iOS). They have created Cocoa, which is fantastic and really great for developers, that is the best API/SDK/Framework I’ve ever used (and I used a lot).
Also 30% share is fair price for managing purhase, updates etc, releasing app with Apple is a lot easier for developer.
kercal
.. then of course there’s the time involved in refereeing comments that come back from seemingly innocuous site posts. That must take a while 🙂
Tab
@Saulius
>The Mac App Store has nothing to do with any plug-in architecture at all.
2.15 Apps must be self-contained, single application installation bundles, and cannot install code or resources in shared locations
2.16 Apps that download or install additional code or resources to add functionality or change their primary purpose will be rejected
Certainly sounds like it will seriously restrict the ability of apps to make use of plugins. At the very least 2.16 directly restricts the capability of installing them from inside the app.
Furthermore, the following terms may put Pixelmator’s HMBlkAppKit UI into a grey area:
6.3 Apps that do not use system provided items, such as buttons and icons, correctly and as described in the Apple Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines will be rejected
6.5 Apps that change the native user interface elements or behaviors of Mac OS X will be rejected
I’m not saying I think Pixelmator will be rejected, but there are some seriously heavy terms coming with the App Store that certainly will limit what developers can do and should absolutely be scrutinized.
Jason B
@Saulius Best of luck with the App Store! I hope it grows your business so one day we can all talk about how cool Pixelmator 12.6 is. Can’t wait. Keep up the good work. In the meantime can I sign up for the beta of Pixelmator 2.0?
Samuel
I hope you have a little more time to focus on the way to present and allow for metadata editing in future versions.
Christian
Did I read correctly?
I’ve already bought pixelmator in 2010…
Now I have to buy it once again, if I’d like to “go” to App-Store?
Dystopia
I’m not easily confused — but I’m not sure what this means (http://www.pixelmator.com/transition/).
What is the alternative? As I understand it 2.0 will only be available on the App Store. Does that mean that if I don’t buy it (again — I just bought it a month ago) on the App Store now, I will have to pay (even) more, when 2.0 comes out?
Dystopia
http://www.pixelmator.com/transition/ is the correct link
Derbo
I noticed a big price difference for Pixelmator between The Apple Store price $74.95 (CDN), and the App Store price $29.99. Is it the exact same software without the packaging?
Florian
Honestly, I’m totally disappointed. Just bought Pixelmator 1,5 month ago during black Friday. And now I have to pay for it once more to get the transition to the App Store?
Moreover, if I wouldn’t have bought it a month ago I would have saved a lot of money!
That’s unbelievable and I’m really disappointed by this move.
Darius
I am also extremely disappointed that you are asking me to pay again for software that I have already purchased just so I can get the App Store version. This is total B.S. I would rather buy a different product than support you now.
Mitchell
would be great if apple figured out currency conversion im in Australia our dollar is almost equal with the us but it will cost me $37 for your $29 deal not very keen to pay more for all my apps when i can get from paypal at a proper currency conversion
pista
Totally agree with Darius. You should wait until v2.0 to do that. Very disappointed customer here.
Sascha
I’m very disappointed too. I dont pay twice for the same software. Its a great piece of software, but why I would buy it twice? Just no.
santibailor
Either there’s communication problem between you (developer) and us (customers), or my English is very bad, cos seems to me you’re packaging a swindle into an “exciting solution”. I’m supporting you buying your software, I don’t care where I have to download the next versions or upgrade, but please, don’t ask me to buy Pixelmator again “now”. If I was in your shoes, I’d try to re-write this ad again, cos as it is now it’s just not “very convincing”.
GrillGirl
I did not get a good impression from the “exciting offer”.
What I want is to be offered is continued support for the product I purchased at full price. I want advance notice of the switch over. Tell me what’s in store for 2.0 so I can assess whether I want it. Tell me what the upgrade will cost ($29) and if YOU want us to move over sooner to the APP Store, then offer me an extra discount for taking the trouble to accommodate your changes and get your clientele switched over.
Never ever ask to be paid in advance for giving nothing!
Despite this – I want to thank you for your software. It has been a good image solution for me.
nilo bonomi
Ottimo programma, l’ho provato e ne sono veramente contento.
n1xt3r
I don’t get it. What’s the rush? You have a perfectly good store on your site. Why not keep it around for a while?
Oh, and thanks for the excellent software!
P.S. Please add a feature that shows me my pixel coordinates.
jens ihnken
pls – we now have the app store – finally also in germany – what do i do if i already bought the product on your webstore ? how do i get to the INSTALLED staus on the appstore .
tahnky – to all of you – have a great 2011
wj
I add my voice to the rest here in objecting to paying again for the exact same piece of software just so that I can re-download it from the App Store and a vague promise of a free upgrade to 2.0 (What are the new features in 2.0? and are they worth the $29 pre-paid upgrade price?).
Why are you making existing customers pay the same amount as new customers? Makes no sense.
Having said that.. there might be one enticing reason to move to the App Store: Would paying the $29 give me a 5-computer license? If so, this might be a good value for money for some.
Pixelmator sits on my dock and is my go-to application for image editing even though I have Adobe Photoshop. It is a great image editing software.
tankgirl
Just wanted to say I completely agree with GrillGirl and mostly with wj (although the 5-computer license wouldn’t do it for me).
I like Pixelmator, but I’m not going to pay $29 without any idea what I’m getting for my money.
JP
Yeah.. not too excited about having to pay more money for something that I already had paid for. Please don’t forget your loyal customers. This whole situation sounds like you’re excited about the exposure and profit opportunities at the expense of your customers.
Dan
As someone that just purchased the product right before Christmas, I’m very disappointed that it sounds like I’m stuck with a 1.x version of the product, when a free upgrade to 2.x will be available to those that purchased it several days later. I haven’t even installed the app yet (though I broke the plastic seal, so I can’t return it).
Hopefully you can find a way to provide this same free 2.x upgrade to recent (traditional) purchasers.
kristalks
Hi,
I’ve own Pixelmator already. Now paid $29 on top the price from the past.
Reading more and more that Apple won’t allow you to give me pixelmator 2.0 for free.
Pls. clarify this asap or refund my $29…!
Anj
I’m willing to pay $29 to switch to the Mac App Store (and free v2.0). I figure it’s still way cheaper than if I pay for Photoshop and their upgrades. Pixelmator will turn out to be around $89.99 total.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I didn’t read anything that said Pixelmator is a one-time purchase with free lifetime upgrades anyway. Peace.
Oliver Feiler
Hi,
I use Pixelmator privately and managed to get another license bought for my work PC at where I work. I quite like working with it rather than PS. However with the elimination of the non-App Store version I’m stuck with 1.x at work. I have two options. Use my own credit card on my _work_ Apple ID account or get the companies ccard on another account. Both will not happen.
The App Store is a nice thing for home users, but totally impractical for businesses.
Killing the traditional distribution channel will likely result in losing the later installations.
Kind regards,
Oliver
santibailor
I’m willing to pay $29 to upgrade to v2.0 whenever I’d be able to know v2.0 features and date of availability. Only after having those info I can decide if I can’t live without v2.0 or the v1.x I have now it’s enough for my needs.
It is not a money problem, it’s just a matter of fairness. You tell me exactly what I’m going to purchase and when, and I’ll be happy to pay.
Michael
Hi,
here’s another (so far happy) customer that thinks:
a) I do not want to pay for my existing software again
b) I will not decide to buy version 2.0 until I know what I will get.
Cheers
Michael
Rachael
Hi Everybody,
I’ve been buying via the Apple Education Store because I have to use a purchase order for the classroom so, the boxed version is dead?
Rachael
aron
kristalks: don’t worry, apple will allow 2.0. they just will not allow Pixelmator to CHARGE for 2.0…at least not with the current AppStore version…
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John
I heard that you can’t use filters with Pixelmator purchased in Mac App Store.
Is this a bug as some people said? Are you planning to fix it? Could I purchase the non-Mac App Store version anywhere else?
David
As far as I can see, the App Store is only available to Snow Leopard users. By going App Store only, you will prevent anyone not using Snow Leopard from buying your product. And people are not all using Snow Leopard, and may never for various reasons, such as they are tied to software that does not run on Snow Leopard, or their machine is not supported by Snow Leopard.
So do you really want to eliminate those potential customers?
Gareth
I agree with David on the previous post. I have just attempted to download a trial of Pixelmator, on high recommendation from a colleague. Unfortunately my organisation isn’t using Snow Leopard, and being a charity working on music projects for children and young people I think we’re unlikely to be investing in an upgrade for all our 10 Macs in the office. I was hoping to work with some young people with Pixelmator today instead of the inferior free image packages we’ve recently been using, but it looks like I’ll have to stick to those. Shame.
Bartimaeus
Seems to me that you have a very clear indication from your customers (both past and potential) that they are very wary of buying Pixelmator through the new App Store alone. I have just tried this application today for the first time and was going to progress to a purchase based on my (albeit short) experience. I’m not going to do this now because I want to purchase direct from you and not via Apple’s new ‘crowd control’ device.
I guess you have to decide whether you are going to accept the loss of a substantial portion of your customer-base in favour of getting recognition from Apple, or whether you will rethink your position and offer a compromise in order to grow your product.
But that will be an internal business decision of course.
Thanks, this was a really interesting application.
fred
For people who bought the boxed version, this is a mayor rip-off.
Must be a shock to learn that the developers intentionally cut off the upgrade path for people not willing to transition to the app store.
No wonder you can buy Pixelmator boxed and new on ebay for 20 Euros at the moment, I can understand why sellers are trying to get rid of it as fast as they can, because it soon will be worthless.
I have met my share of apple fanboyz, but this level was new to me.
As the previous poster said, this was a really interesting application. But I, too I am not going to spend my money here.
I’ll continue using Seashore and donate the money I’d have spent here to the free software foundation. They will put it to better use than this company possibly can.
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