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Downloading Mac Software, Made Simple

By now, many of you are familiar with the App Store on iTunes — the portal through which Apple Inc. sells mobile applications, or “apps,” for its family of iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches.

Now, Apple has made downloading software on a Mac computer as easy as it is on an iPhone.

The Mac App Store, which launched this month, lets Mac owners browse various categories of software in one place, both from Apple Inc. and outside parties. Moreover, downloading apps is as easy as clicking “Buy” and letting the software install itself.

I set up the Mac App Store on my MacBook and spent a week treating myself to new games and other apps. Suffice it to say, I can get used to having a computer that tries to be as smart as, well, my smart phone.

— Getting started:

The Mac App Store is its own program, available as a free download for laptops or desktops running Snow Leopard, the latest version of Apple’s operating system.

You sign into the store using the same Apple ID you would use to buy apps for your iPhone or music for your iPod. If you already have credit in your iTunes account, you can use it in the Mac App Store.

— Selection:

Three weeks after opening for business, the Mac App Store sells more than 1,000 apps — a fraction of the 300,000 available for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches. Its 21 categories include sports, news, weather, productivity, games and education. As with iTunes, the Mac App Store lists new additions, staff favorites and the most popular free and paid apps.

Some, such as the game “Angry Birds” ($5), began as apps for mobile devices and were adapted for Macs’ larger screens. Other well-known — and free — apps include Twitter, the note-taking program Evernote and Amazon.com Inc.’s Kindle app for reading e-books. Other popular games include “Flight Control” ($5) and “Call of Duty” ($50). The latter game has already been available for the Mac, both on a disc and as a download — the App Store just makes it easier to buy it.

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