Apple has announced plans for a new version of the App Store, offering downloadable games and software applications to Mac laptop and desktop computer users. The new App Store will be available to Mac users running the Snow Leopard operating system "within 90 days" and will come bundled as part of the forthcoming Lion operating system for Macs when it releases next summer. The Mac App Store will work in a similar way to Apple's successful software publishing platform of the same name for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad devices. Users will be able to browse Mac apps by category, such as games, productivity and music, before reading developer descriptions and user reviews of the games and software. "The Mac App Store brings the revolutionary App Store experience to OS X, making discovering, installing and updating Mac apps easier than ever," said an Apple spokesperson. "Like on iPad, you purchase apps using your iTunes account and they download and install in just one step. App updates are delivered directly through the Mac App Store, so it’s easy to keep all of your apps up to date." In terms of video games, the new Mac App Store will establish the first major rival to Valve's Steam service of digitally distributed content. Apple said it will begin accepting submissions for the OSX-specific App Store from the start of November. As with the current App Store, the service will offer both free and premium applications with a 70/30 revenue split between developers and Apple.
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