An alternative interpretation is that they are about to move to an App Store for the Mac. I'm just guessing, but that was part of the discussion on the list the other day when the Developer Program was revamped.
Or then again, they've just re-vamped the site and moved its location. As far as the future of the Mac goes, I don't think Apple are going to do anything to jeopardise that for many years to come. The Mac is still the core of Apple's business (sorry about the pun!), and will remain so for many years to come. On the other hand, if you don't like the idea of developing for the iPhone and iPad, I suggest you begin planning for your next career - these devices are clearly the next step in computing. Once upon a time programmers used to program mainframes using punched cards, but the wonderful innovation that we love this industry for has consigned that to a hazy memory (hands up anyone who can actually remember back that far!!!). The idea of programming in a graphical environment like xCode and IB was utterly incomprehensible then, just as the idea of developing code on an iPad or iPhone is to us. Give it enough time, and I'm sure it will happen. So no, I don't think Apple is putting the Mac out to pasture just yet, but they are embracing the new world of the iPhone and iPad as much as they can. I for one, plan to follow Apple on this journey. Regards, John Gronow.
