Mac App Store Could Launch Next Week

If reports are correct the Mac App Store, which was announced in October, could launch as early as next Monday, according to Appletell. A pre-holiday launch would beat the initial goal of releasing in early 2011 and arrive just in time for new Mac users who get their first Apple as a gift for the holidays to stock up on Apps.

The Mac App store will work similar to the App store already available on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad in that the apps will need to go through an approval process before being listed. Unlike the App store for the mobile devices, the Mac App Store will not be the only way to buy and install software on a Mac.

There are opposing views on whether the Mac App Store will be a good thing in the long run, but for the most part we expect general consumers to enjoy access to a curated list of apps; so long as they can install their favorites without the need to jailbreak their Mac.

Apple hasn't announced an official launch date or the pricing and availability of specific apps, but if the rumor holds true we expect to see more on the Mac App Store soon. We do know that the Mac App Store will be a resource to purchase Mac software like iLife and allow users to keep their apps up-to-date easily, as well as re-download them on a new computer if needed.