Comments for 100,000 apps announced - now we need a shopping list

100,000 apps announced - now we need a shopping list

2009-11-04T21:25:10Z

The App Store has everything. As we all know, there's an app for that. And with the news from Apple today that developers have created more than 100,000 apps for the App Store, there is something so simple missing from the experience that it boggles the mind.

I call it a shopping list. You might call it a wish list. Some may call it a download queue. Whatever you call it, it would make shopping for apps so much easier.

Apple and Amazon may compete but Apple could learn a thing or two - I love the way Amazon incorporates wish lists into both the Web site and iPhone app. I love being able to put a bunch of things on my list or in an area to buy later. That way, I can go back and think about it and decide which things I want and which things I don't.

The way it works now - in both the App Store and iTunes - is you look and you either buy or you're out of luck. You'd need to actually write down what you want or create a list somewhere and then buy each one by one.

Part of me understands the risks. If I have a wish list with 20 apps and the ability to buy them all with the click of a button, I'm more likely to spend $20. But that's OK. I appreciate the simplcity and ease of use that comes with that great responsibility.

I am hoping it's just a matter of when and not if. Apple finally listened and implemented what I think was my idea - to create a way to manage applications from within iTunes and have them transfer over to the iPhone. It works great and I love it. I know I -- and millions of others - would enjoy a better way of purchasing.

What do you think? You agree? Does Apple need to take a lesson from Amazon and implement some sort of wish list/download queue functionality? Let me know what you think here or on Twitter.

Thanks for calling.

Comment from trumpy on 2009-11-04

2009-11-04T23:16:10Z

The DO actually allow you to use a wishlist...for music. How hard would it be to do the same for apps?

Comment from BloomKitty on 2009-11-04

2009-11-04T23:53:46Z

I completely agree -- I've been wishing for the same thing. I have to keep a manual (paper) list of "maybe" apps that intrigue me - I see them in blogs like this one, articles, user forums or in the App store and am unsure if I really want to waste the screen real estate (or the bucks) on it, until I think about it, go back later, and look at it again. I think I'd buy more apps if I had a wish list. Here's hoping that's coming in the next release....

Comment from We$Mess on 2009-11-05

2009-11-05T15:18:07Z

And on the Apple TV there is a Wish List for movies that you want to rent or buy. So, I wouldn't doubt to see an option like this appear for the App Store users.

Comment from Wiz on 2009-11-07

2009-11-07T19:25:23Z

The app thing is getting out of hand, but it is not really that much of a problem to me. I need to stay out of iTunes all together (Season 2 of Deep Space Nine for $12, I'll take it!). But one thing I do wish apps would do is update like podcasts do, especially the news and soon to be magazine apps. Also, I want the to be able to schedule syncs, you know so that it will sync while the coffee pot is making coffee and I am in the shower. I hate when I forget to sync before a commute or even worse when my Most Emailed NPR stories podcast fails to update.