Now I wouldn't want that to be the only way I could get Mac apps as there's such a thing as giving too much control to Apple. However, it would be a nice option and would offer benefits such as security and convenience. What's more, it could offer some serious marketing power for small developers and offer Mac users exposure to more software.

Of course, Mac apps would be much larger in size than iPhone/iPod touch apps. But Apple is already selling 1.5GB-plus movies online. There might be some apps that aren't good fits, but, again, we aren't talking about a Mac App Store being the only way to get software.

In fact, it need not be a clone of the App Store for the iPhone or even be run with iTunes. That poses too many limitations required for multimedia stuff. Hopefully, Apple could develop a new app/system (not a browser-based app) that's similar to iTunes but exclusively for application, application updates, and even potentially operating system updates.

Of course, I also want to see Apple get serious about ebook sales, as well. What do you think?

(And thanks for the assistance of my Macsimum compadre, J. Scott Anderson, with today's column).