Report: Mac App Store Launching Before Holidays

Apple may be planning to launch its Mac App Store this month, according to an unnamed source cited by the blog Appletell. If true, that would be ahead of schedule - Apple CEO Steve Jobs originally promised a launch within 90 days, when plans for the Store were revealed at an Apple press event in October.

Could the pre-holiday launch have anything to do with Google's Chrome-related announcement being revealed tomorrow? We wouldn't be surprised.

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According to Appletell's source, developers were told to have their Mac apps ready by today, Dec. 6. However, a launch this week now seems unlikely, the source said.

Another blog site, MacRumors, can confirm that developers were asked to begin submitting apps to the store back on Nov. 3. Apple also recently released a new version of Mac OS X (10.6.6) to developers, the version that includes support for end-user access of the Mac App Store.

Expected Tomorrow: Chrome Web App Store

Could Apple's sped up plans have anything to do with Google's Chrome announcement tomorrow?

Multiple sources are reporting that the search giant will either launch or provide an update on the status of its operating system, Google Chrome OS. And a major part of that OS is the Chrome Web App Store, whose launch is expected at Tuesday's event.

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Both Engadget and All Things D have heard that the Web App Store will arrive tomorrow for end users who have installed the beta version of the Google Chrome Web browser. The beta version arrived last week, introducing support for Web apps as well as an update for syncing apps between computers where Chrome is installed.

These two "desktop" app stores - one from Apple, the other from Google, are even more different than the companies' mobile app store offering. Like iTunes, Apple will apply similar restrictions to its Mac Store, allowing for a "curated" selection of apps. But these are desktop apps - meaning, actual software installed on the computer. Google's Web App Store, however, involves only applications that run in a browser. But Google's philosophy for its Web App Store is different too - it's an "open" marketplace for apps, where the only requirement is a standards-compliant browser. It doesn't even have to be Google Chrome. All Web apps are welcome in the Chrome store - a small, one-time fee of $5.00 is the only obstacle, and is only there to keep the spammers out.

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