(Image source: Apple)

BY EVAN THOMAS

You're watching multisource video news analysis from Newsy.

Apple says its Mac App Store has cleared more than 100 million unique downloads in less than a year of operation.

The store went live this January, and has since been cranking out around 9 million downloads of free and paid software per month. With the 100-million-app milestone under its belt, Apple is claiming it’s now the largest and fastest growing computer software store in the world.

That may be the case, but paidContent says the press release is short on actual numbers.

“...100 million ‘apps’ and software downloaded in less than a year, with no specific figure given for the total number of apps, except mention of ‘thousands’ of free and paid apps.”

Maybe some context would help. Laptop Magazine says-- even 100 million apps can’t hold a candle to Apple’s other app store, for iOS devices.

“While impressive, it’s worth noting that the iOS App Store reached 500 million downloads after just one month and 11 days.”

But maybe that’s apples to oranges. Computerworld notes iOS apps are sold in a closed ecosystem. Software in the Mac App Store is not necessarily under the same restrictions.

“Unlike the iPhone’s market, the Mac App Store is not the sole software distribution channel for Mac laptops and desktops. Developers can still pitch their Mac OS X wares via their own websites, through online sellers like Amazon.com or at brick-and-mortar stores.”

Even with those options, VentureBeat says developers don’t seem to mind Apple’s business model.

“...there’s also something to be said for the developer community throwing support behind the idea of a desktop application store. Developers can set their own prices for the apps, but have to pay Apple 30 percent of each sale.”

Apple’s store won’t see much competition yet-- Microsoft isn’t slated to fire up its own app store until February.