Amazon launches a Mac Software Downloads store

ONLINE RETAILER Amazon has launched a Mac Software Downloads store to rival Apple's Mac App Store.

Amazon previously sold downloadable software for the Mac, but this is the first time it has a dedicated store just for Apple Mac OS X applications.

There are already 217 titles in the store, with 114 of them in the under $20 bracket. The titles include a slew of Adobe design packages, Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 and language learning software.

Macworld suggests that popular games like Call of Duty 4 and Dragon Age 2 are available in the store to download, but we were unable to find them listed, instead being redirected to the boxed products.

Users will be able to download their software as often as they want for the most part, but some developers might impose restrictions on the number of computers that can use a license key. Amazon will provide additional product keys for free, but warned that these must only be employed for personal use and not given to other people.

To celebrate the launch Amazon is giving users a $5 discount if they use the code SAVE5MAC in the Gift Cards and Promotions box. It can only be used once per customer and must be used before 1 June.

Amazon is also offering a free downloadable copy of the Airport Mania: First Flight game, which will save people $6.99. Only people with a US address can get this, however, regardless of whether or not you have an Amazon.com account outside the country.

All of the downloads require Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or higher.

The service is currently not available at the UK version of Amazon, but we expect it's only a matter of time before it finds its way over. µ