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Discussing the Mac App Store and Billings with Marketcircle

by Dave Caolo Jan 24th 2011 at 6:30PM

As the first iOS feature to go back to the Mac, the Mac App Store presents unique challenges and benefits to developers. I spoke with Marketcircle CEO Alykhan "AJ" Jetha about his team's experience with moving Billings (our previous coverage of this app) to the Mac App Store, as well as the restrictions that keep their other applications out.

TUAW: How soon after learning about the Mac App Store did you decide to use it to sell Billings?

AJ: It was a no-brainer; an easy decision. We knew right away that we'd want Billings in the Mac App Store.

What was the process like, and how did the vetting process compare to that of the iOS App Store?

We submitted the first version on November 3rd. It got initially rejected because we were using the Sparkle update tool. Of course, Apple wants us to use their own. So, we removed that, but left a checkbox in the preferences that offered to check for updates automatically, and got rejected again because of it. We removed that and re-submitted, then ran into a private API call. We worked that out, resubmitted, fixed one more minor issue and were approved a couple of days before the store went live.



Are there any changes to licensing with Billings in the Mac App Store? Apple's terms and conditions are pretty loose as far as how many computers can run an app downloaded from the store.

With Billings, it doesn't really matter, as data is in one place and can move around as you please. We don't care how many Macs you install it on. We care about connecting to the data. It's different with Daylite and Billings Pro. In that case, we're concerned with connecting to the server. One license means only one person can connect to the server at any one time.

That leads me to my next question. What about Daylite and Billings Pro? Can we expect them in the store any time soon?

Daylite and Billings Pro are limited by nature of the rules. Specifically, Daylite Server operates background sync operations regardless of whether the app is running or not. That's in violation of the rules. Even with server out of the equation, these apps sync automatically in the background without the user knowing. Again, that's not allowed. We're hoping Apple will relax these rules.

How do you feel about the Mac App Store's future?

Developers must be in the store. Look at our job as developers. We have a fair number of challenges. Two of the most critical are downloads to customers and installation. The Mac App Store solves both.

When a user downloads an app from a developer's website, s/he could get a DMG or a ZIP file. When they open it, they could find that one developer handles installation differently than another. We saw that this was confusing a lot of users. Many would get confused and not bother.

The next problem is the purchase process. Sometimes its in-app, sometimes via a website. The Mac App Store takes care of all of that.

Thanks to AJ for his time! Be sure to check out Marketcircle.com for the latest on their products.


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As the first iOS feature to go back to the Mac, the Mac App Store presents unique challenges and benefits to developers. I spoke with...
 

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JoeAD

Does the Mac App Store update apps in the same manner that Sparkle does?

i.e. If an update is available you are notified when you launch the app (like Sparkle does)....or do you have to launch the App Store to check if any updates are available to the app (which would suck compared to how Sparkle handles it)?

January 25 2011 at 7:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to JoeAD's comment
now4real954

@JoeAD

From what I have seen on my end...it is opening the App Store that gives you the updates...I have not had an App tell me there was an update...so that is a down side

but I'm assuming they are counting on people randomly checking the App Store for new and hot apps like we do with the iOS App Store

good luck tho

January 25 2011 at 10:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JoeAD

@SCOTT

Oh well...it seems a really sub par way of delivering updates. People like me, who rarely will open the App Store, could miss out on potentially important security updates.

The way Sparkle checks and notifies users of updates when the App is launched is a far more logical.

January 25 2011 at 1:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bloodthirstyrobot

Good interview...Marketcircle's been a trailblazer in the Mac development community and I'm glad to see them embrace the App Store. I've been using Billings for several years now and it's by far the best thing out there for quoting and invoicing on forms that you can customize to your personal liking (I'll reserve comment on the iOS app though).

Yes, I know that cloud computing is the big thing these days, but I still prefer keeping all my most important data right here on the ground and on my HD and backups. Also compared to the arm and a leg that Freshbooks demands monthly, Billings is a steal.

As for parallel releases, this is a problem that many developers are struggling with right now because of the way Apple set up the store. I'm glad they opted for the route they did as it makes me far more open to springing for the cash when a 4.0 version of this app some day rolls in.

January 24 2011 at 9:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to bloodthirstyrobot's comment
DT

yeah, creating custom templates with Billings is really trailblazing ... (irony off)

January 25 2011 at 4:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andreas

I use Billings at the moment. I recently got an update request within the application just mentioning that it is an upgrade to the way it is upgrading ... App Store purchases via the app store and purchases via the marketcircle website will upgrade via the marketcircle website.

So now you need to maintain two versions!

For me as a customer even more confusing ... one more version out there ... (and even if you say they will stay the same ... nobody can predict the future).

Why not shift all customers to the app store?

January 24 2011 at 8:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Andreas's comment
MRCUR

There's no easy way for devs to do so, that's why. Apple's licensing is rather limited when it comes to any of the App stores. As such, it's easier at this point to maintain two different customer bases.

January 24 2011 at 9:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
eliyanimoses

You guys are the best. This is one othe only places that offers unbiased (kinda) apple news. And there are giveaways! Keep up the good work.

January 24 2011 at 6:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kaleb

I realize this is a bit off topic but this company really needs to update their Billings Touch app to include PDF export functionality.

January 24 2011 at 6:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scott Gardner

You've got Billings misspelled several times in your article ("Bilings").

January 24 2011 at 6:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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