Disclaimer – Despite the fact that I first learned personal computing as it exists today via an Apple, I have long since drifted away from Mac as my preferred computing format.  I switched to Windows OS in college, but tried to return to Mac in 2008.  I did not enjoy the experience, finding it too restrictive.  That said, I have been an iPhone user for nearly 2 years now (as I patiently await the release of Windows Mobile 7).

Travis, you ignorant slut.

While I do agree with you that the App Store is not working, I believe it’s because of a lack of options, not an overabundance.  Specifically, the lack of options and functionality surrounding search.  Perhaps I'm spoiled to the search functions of Microsoft products, such as Outlook, that give me options of what to search and how to search, but I find the App Store’s lone search box woefully lacking.  I have no opportunity to select options such as “show by rating,” “show by relevance,” “search only last 6 months,” “search only the utilities category” – you get the idea.  Granted, under individual categories, I have some options, but that doesn’t really help when I'm searching for a very specific app type.

Recently, I attempted to find a task list program for the iPhone that would allow me to use task lists on my iPhone.  (That’s right, non-iPhone users, there’s no native task list functionality on the platform.)   I wanted an app that allowed me to schedule recurrence, set a deadlines, use multiple lists, sync with Outlook, categorize, and send me reminders.  But all I could enter was one little search box.  With those criteria, the search data returned was maddening.  A little more than half of the results returned were actually focused on task lists, others included grocery lists, note taking apps, and even a sketching app or two .  I tried a variety of search terms such as “business task list,” “outlook task list, “ and “selectable task list.”  No dice.

Thusly I began the arduous task of wading through all the options out there.  I wanted to read other users’ reviews, but I didn’t want to restrict myself to only checking out the apps that popped up first in the list.  But reading reviews after selecting “show me 25 more” multiple times is exasperating.  After finishing a reviews for a specific app, the App Store returns the user back to the initial list of 25.  Heaven forbid you’ve made it down to app #210 – you’ll wind up selecting “show me 25 more 8 times before getting back to where you left off!  Argh!  Had I been able to better whittle down my search by specific criteria, I could have saved hours.

Now I know, Travis, that you oppose the free apps, but after my experience, I say thank goodness for the free options.  Most quality developers provide a free mini version of their apps, so I was able to try a dozen or so before actually paying for anything.  I would have been furious if I'd had to pay even 99 cents for every app I tried.  Yes, the iBeer app and others like it are pointless.  But remember, this is not a business phone (or it would have a native task list app), but a general purpose phone.  That means frat boys are going to want their Virtual Lighter app, teenage girls will want their Hairstyle app, and someone with too much time on their hands will want the More Toast! virtual toast app.

I know it will come as no shock to you, Travis, that I can’t stand the Apple “we know best” way of thinking.  I totally understand that it makes some people feel safe and comfortable, but the last time I tried owning a Mac, I nearly went out of my mind not being able to customize my computer the way I wanted to use it.  

 (And for those who are curious, I wound up buying and trying 3 different apps over the course of 2 months before finally giving up altogether.  Now I use a combination of Outlook’s task lists and Post-its.)