Apple shuttering OS X Download site on Jan 6 as Mac App Store takes over

Apple has informed developers that, as of January 6 2011 and the launch of the new Mac App Store, the Mac OS X Download site will be closed down. According to the statement, shared by 9 to 5 Mac, Apple believes the new software store "will be the best destination for users to discover, purchase, and download your apps" and hopes developers will "take advantage of this new opportunity to showcase your apps to even more users"; however, it's not so easy as porting titles across from one to the other.

Thank you for making the Mac OS X Download site a great destination with apps that offer users new ways to work, play, learn, and create on their Mac.  We recently announced that on January 6, 2011, the Mac App Store will open to users around the world, presenting you with an exciting, new opportunity to reach millions of customers. Since the introduction of the App Store in 2008, we've been thrilled with the incredible support from developers and the enthusiastic response from users. Now we're bringing the revolutionary experience of the App Store to Mac OS X.  Because we believe the Mac App Store will be the best destination for users to discover, purchase, and download your apps, we will no longer offer apps on the Mac OS X Downloads site. Instead, beginning January 6, we will be directing users to explore the range of apps available on the Mac App Store.  We appreciate your support of the Mac platform and hope you'll take advantage of this new opportunity to showcase your apps to even more users. To learn how you can offer your apps on the Mac App Store, visit the Apple Developer website at .

The news means that OS X widget downloads will have to find a new home, since they're currently distributed by the Mac OS X Download site and there has been no mention of them in the new Mac App Store. It could also present an issue for OS X users running earlier versions of the platform, who will need a more recent version in order to access the new store.