[OmniKeyMaster][1] is a great new tool from The Omni Group which allows Mac App Store users of Omni software to quickly and easily move to non-Mac App Store versions. This allows faster updates (because they bypass App Store approval) and upgrade pricing.

I think this is a very smart move and a great tool. Effectively it removes a decision users have to make: now you just buy from the Mac App Store and if you want upgrade pricing later you can convert easily. More-or-less a win-win. The nice part about buying from the Mac App Store is that (hopefully) Apple has your back and won’t allow you to download anything dangerous to your system. With a tool like OmniKeyMaster you can then use the App Store to gain trust in developers *before* you move outside of the Apple-dome-of-protection.

Now this tool is just for Omni applications, but I hope other companies take note and perhaps someone builds a service for *all* developers to use. One tool to convert any Mac App Store app you want to a non-Mac App Store app, that would be great.

[1]: http://www.omnigroup.com/blog/entry/omnikeymaster-upgrade-pricing-for-mac-app-store-customers