You Can Now Browse the App Store on the Web

Apple has officially launched a web-based version of its App Store. It is meant to give users an easier way to view apps on any device. MacRumors and 9to5Mac first spotted the update and pointed out that the new site replaces the old static pages that mostly contained basic app info. Users will be able to explore different apps across all of Apple’s platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Vision Pro, all in one place. The site also still keeps the editorial picks and categories, similar to the Today tab in the mobile App Store, making it more of a discovery hub rather than just a directory.

Image: Apple

Users on the website can browse, search, and share apps, but Apple doesn’t allow them to download or install apps directly; they redirect the user to the App Store app on their device. This launch should improve visibility for developers and simplify app discovery, even if it doesn’t offer full functionality online. This could mark the first step toward a more open App Store ecosystem, but for now, it is mainly a site for browsing and not downloading.

Did you ever expect this to happen? Do you think Apple might eventually allow web-based installs, like Google Play does? Is this redesign enough to make app discovery easier for you? Let us know in the comments!

Source: The Verge Image: Apple