What is the Future of Mac Apps? →

Twitter just announced they are killing the official Twitter for Mac app:

We're focusing our efforts on a great Twitter experience that's consistent across platforms. So, starting today the Twitter for Mac app will no longer be available for download, and in 30 days will no longer be supported.

This comes at a really interesting time for desktop computers:

  • iOS apps are still a booming business
  • Android apps continue to grow in revenue
  • cross-platform desktop apps based on Electron are growing popular
  • Progressive Web Apps are a rising technology that will bring the massive reach of native-like web apps to all devices

One thing that seems to have stagnated is desktop apps for Mac. And if things don't improve for Mac apps, all of a sudden Apple would lose a vital anchor to their ecosystem.

That said, it's starting to make sense why Apple is reportedly converging the underlying frameworks of iOS with macOS. This — in theory — would greatly create opportunities for iOS developers, increase the stickiness of the Apple ecosystem, and potentially make it easier to bring desktop-class software to the iPad.