This address predates the store opening
The November 2010 date in this URL belongs to the period before the Mac App Store opened. Apple’s January 6, 2011 announcement records the opening with more than 1,000 free and paid apps. This new retrospective does not claim to reproduce what the original article predicted.
A familiar discovery model met different work
On a desktop, people often need software to work with existing files, external devices, and longer projects. A convenient store can simplify discovery, but those workflow requirements still determine whether an app is appropriate.
When comparing a phone and desktop app with the same name, check what each version actually does. Shared branding does not establish identical features, file handling, licensing, or purchase rights. A companion app may serve a narrower role than the main desktop application.
Start with compatibility and your files
For a current Mac application, verify the supported macOS version and hardware on the publisher’s current page. Try representative files before making a complete move. Confirm how a project is saved and whether it can be exported in a useful format.
If collaboration matters, check what colleagues need to open and edit the result. A beautiful document on one screen is not a successful workflow if the next person cannot use it.
Keep the historical claim precise
The Mac App Store launch is a documented milestone, not evidence that all Mac software must be distributed through one channel. Likewise, the size of an opening catalogue does not establish the quality of every item in it.
The lasting comparison is about fit: a phone is often where a task starts, while a desktop may be where it becomes more detailed. Choose software around that relationship rather than assuming a familiar app icon means the same experience everywhere.