Thursday Tech Roundup: App Store for the Mac

On Jan. 6, Apple officially launched its App Store for the Mac.  A separate program from iTunes, the App Store offers access to Apps specifically optimized for use on a Mac computer.

Those who have experience using the App Store for the iPhone or iPod Touch will feel right at home with this new program. Simply click on the App Store icon and download an app of your choice [many are free]. The App icon appears on your dock and automatically downloads and installs.

Available for Mac users running Snow Leopard, the App Store is installed by performing a software update. Click on the Apple icon on the top left of your screen, then click on Software Update. It will appear on your dock once the update has been completed. With the program, you will be able to access the more than 1,000 Apps available so far. Although this is a small number compared to the 300,000+ Apps available for iOS, expect it to grow quickly.

At launch, among the highlighted Apps are Apple iLife ’11 and iWork ’09, sold individually. Others include Twitter and popular games such as Angry Birds and Flight Control.