If Apple’s App Store effort was a major motion picture, it could be described as a box-office smash. One day after the App Store for iOS mobile devices posted its 10 billionth download, a photo-editing application on the new Mac App Store has reported revenue of $1 million in 20 days.
Pixelmator announced the sales milestone on its web site Tuesday, describing it as “gigantic.” The announcement noted that the app is getting “rave reviews” of 4.5 stars in the U.S. store, five stars in the U.K., and 4.5 stars in Germany. “Thanks to the Mac App Store,” the company said, “more people than ever are choosing to download Pixelmator.”
‘Worth the Effort’
The announcement could be the answer to those who wondered if an app store for computers was needed, given that computer users have had access to software for their do-almost-anything devices since the first one came out. Smartphones and other mobile devices, by contrast, have only become platforms for applications relatively recently.
Pixelmator isn’t the only software developer reporting that the Mac App Store is having a substantial impact on their user base.
Evernote reported a large increase in sign-ups for its free app, Evernote for Mac, of which some portion is expected to upgrade to a premium, paid version. In a posting on its web site, Evernote said “getting on the Mac App Store on day one was worth the effort.”
The Mac App Store became the latest addition to Apple’s app empire in the first week of January via a software update to Mac OS X 10.6.6, Snow Leopard. The store allows Mac owners to visit, browse and purchase apps and media, just as they would for iOS devices. The next major version of Mac OS X, Lion, is expected to have the Mac App Store integrated.
70-30 Split
At launch,…