For some developers, making their apps conform with the Mac App Store's sandboxing requirements would simply hamper their software too much. The developers of the popular keyboard launcher Alfred that "Apple's new Gatekeeper paves the way for us to keep Alfred as productive as possible without having to work within the limitations of a sandbox." The company adds further: "You'll continue to find the free version of Alfred in the MAS, as Apple allows existing apps to remain in the store and receive bug fixes. However, if you're looking for the big juicy new features, your best bet is to download Alfred from our website."

Some fear that our brave new sandboxed Mac App Store world might . It will certainly, in both the short and long terms, as they continue to improve upon their apps, while simultaneously explaining to novice users why certain features go missing.

Surely, the sandboxing rule isn't one Apple set lightly or uninformed. That the company postponed the compliance deadline multiple times suggests that it remains aware of the concerns developers have, and that the company's goal isn't to leave customers worse off.

For now, then, most users will need to take a wait and see approach. If certain Mac App Store software you own gets updated with features you rely upon removed, talk to the developer--and ideally talk to Apple too. Remember that the iPhone launched with no App Store at all, but user and developer interest spawned Apple to make what turned out to be one of its best business decisions ever in opening the platform up to third parties. If sandboxing truly hampers the Mac experience for the average Mac user, Apple will adjust how it works.