Mac App Store is here, and it's pretty impressive!

The Mac App Store is finally here! Snow Leopard users can grab it by going to Software Update in the  menu.

So TUAW has their impression of the new Mac App Store and I have my impression: awesome.

Just plain awesome.


Apple was right, the process is ridiculously simple. You launch the application, go to the menu, select sign in, enter your Apple ID (that you also use with iTunes), and that's it. Browse the store, click an app, and click "install." It is that simple.

So how are the apps? The ones I have tried so far are truly great.
Some apps that I have downloaded include AutoDesk Sketchbook Express (Free), Chopper 2 ($.99), and MindNode (Free).

Sketchbook Express is a drawing/painting app that is free and fun to use. Think of it as a Photoshop alternative, but not quite as full featured. There is a pro version that expands upon the features, but I found the free version to be plenty of drawing fun. Here are some screenshots:

 Then there's Chopper 2, which is a fun side-scrolling, 3D helicopter-flying game. It's quite fun, the graphics are good, and there are plenty of levels in which you pick up civilians, blow tanks up, and shoot bad guys. It's only $0.99 for a limited time, so go get while you still can! Screenshots:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

And finally, there's MindNode for Mac. It's free, and it's a node-organization-style app that lets to you organize and present ideas in a flow-chart manner. It doesn't do much, but what is does it does pretty well. It's also pretty cool and very easy to use. Screenshots:

So that's only 3 apps (out of the, what, 1000 out there?,) that I have shown you. Be adventurous, explore the new store, and find yourself some good apps. Some, not all, of my existing third-party apps were detected as "installed." Out of those included MenuDrop and some others (can't remember :P).

Have fun!