Mac App Store Launches

The Mac App Store is now up and running with more than 1,000 Macintosh applications. To view the Mac App Store you need to use Software Update to get Mac OS X 10.6.6. This adds a Mac App Store icon to the dock. You can also access the store form the Apple Menu.
The store looks similar to the iOS App Store in the iTunes application. You can browse and search for applications. The main page shows featured apps. Other pages show top charts and categories. You use your iTunes account to make purchases.
The launch features many familiar third-party applications like Evernote, BBEdit, Pixelmator, Stuffit Expander, and Transmit. The three iWork applications are also present, as well as iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand from iLife 11. You can buy each individually, which is a first for those applications. Prices for apps vary from $0.99 for some, to more standard software prices of $10, $20 or more. Some apps are available for free.
There are also a variety of games, including some games that have found success on the iPhone such as Angry Birds, Flight Control and a free game Gold Strike from CleverMedia, Inc. (MacMost parent).
When you make a purchase in the Mac App Store the application is automatically downloaded and installed. It appears in your dock with a progress bar during the download, and then as a regular icon after that. Updates will be handled by the Mac App Store application as well.