Probably the best statement I can make about the health of the Mac software landscape is that as a consumer I am purchasing more Mac software now than I ever have before. I compare this to the heyday of Windows, and my attitude around buying software is so much different. Back then, you had to punch a couple tickets: pick up the latest Office suite, ensure you updated to the most recent versions of Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Utilities, but after that you were lucky if you bought another application or two over the course of the year.
The Mac landscape today is the opposite. The most innovative apps are not at the office suite tier, but coming from the small-to-medium size developer shops. The apps are lighter, less expensive, and usually a lot better than the aforementioned goliaths. The environment encourages me to find, and then purchase, great new software.
Almost every application I have bought over the last year or so shares a common set of characteristics. If an app offers all of these (and solves a problem that I need fixed), it gets me to click buy every time:
- It does one thing (or a group of related things) very well – The key here is not a scarcity of functionality, but instead a total focus on solving a specific problem.
- Provides Applescript support – Sometimes I use it, and sometimes I don’t, but it is like a security blanket for me. I need it to be there.
- Syncs application data via MobileMe (or a similar system) across multiple Macs – I use two Macs and need my data synced on both. I know many people are not fans of MobileMe, but my experience with applications that sync using it has been good.
- Offers licensing that lets me use the application on multiple Macs – This applies both for single user on multiple Macs as well as Family licensing (multiple users / multiple Macs).
- Offers a 15 to 30 day trial – The ability to play around with an unrestricted piece of software before you use it is probably the best sales tool ever invented.
- Has an iPhone client - What makes a good desktop app doesn’t always make a good iPhone app, but we are buying platforms now; not just applications. I want a platform that works on both.
The one that I thought about adding to here, but didn’t, was my ideal price. Do I love that there are so many great Mac apps in the $15 to $30 range? Of course, but to put that as a requirement for me to buy would be inaccurate. I’ve bought software at all price levels and to say an app that has thousands of hours of development behind it should be priced at $19.95 is not right or fair to the developers.
Did I miss something on my “must have” list? Let me know in the comments.
