Apple expands App Store Search Ads to Russia
Apple’s App Store Search Ads have now arrived in Russia for developers to promote their apps to a wider audience.
Developer complains that Apple limits innovation after having its new messaging app rejected
We already know that Apple can be hard to work with when it comes to launching new apps on the App Store. From the beginning, several developers have complained about the company’s strict rules, and it was no different with Martin Otyeka, an independent developer who tried to launch his first iOS app this year — unfortunately without success.
Martin wrote an article about how frustrating it was to create a new idea for a messaging app and then see it rejected by Apple, as the company said he should try to develop an app like “every other messaging app.”
Google Classroom app flooded with 1-star reviews as students react to working from home
Many schools around the world base their IT deployments on Google services. As schools were forced to shut down as a result of the coronavirus quarantine rules, many institutions have flocked to Google Classroom to keep up the curriculum for students and send out homework. It turns out that the students are less pleased with this arrangement.
Autism apps highlighted by Apple on World Autism Awareness Day
A number of autism apps have been highlighted by Apple on World Autism Awareness Day, an annual event intended to educate people about those with autistic spectrum disorders. It is part of the company’s extensive commitment to accessibility.
The United Nations has drawn attention to the specific challenges faced by people with autism during the coronavirus outbreak…
Apple adding new detailed financial report option to App Store Connect for developers
Apple is rolling out a new detailed financial report option to App Store Connect for developers this month. The company made the announcement in a post on its Developer blog this afternoon.
Apple extends developer deadline for various App Store update requirements until June
Apple had originally set a deadline of April 30 for requiring apps for iPhone and iPad be built with the iOS 13 SDK. In a new developer blog post today, however, Apple has extended that deadline and many others.
Apple helps fight coronavirus misinformation by promoting official UK app
With coronavirus misinformation common, either through deliberate hoaxes or honest misunderstandings, Apple is doing its bit to help. The company is currently giving top UK App Store billing to an official government health app.
The National Health Service (NHS) app opens with a symptom-checker and a highlighted link to COVID-19 info …
Apple promises App Store expansion to 20 new countries starting next month
In a post on its developer website this afternoon, Apple has announced that the App Store is launching in 20 new countries this year. Apple hasn’t yet said which countries are included in this expansion. [Update: View the list below]
Apple offering 10% iTunes and App Store bonus as business and education app downloads jump ~300% due to coronavirus
With many students out of school and lots of companies having employees work from home during the coronavirus pandemic, we’re seeing business and education app downloads grow almost 300%. Meanwhile, Apple is now offering a 10% bonus when you add money to your Apple ID for the iTunes and App Store.
App Store expediting COVID-19 apps from reputable sources, Apple blocking coronavirus-themed games and entertainment software
Apple is responding to the COVID-19 virus in real time as the global pandemic worsens, and the latest coronavirus response is a new App Store effort to ensure the credibility of health and safety information.
Starting now, Apple is expediting approval for specific apps from reputable sources related to COVID-19. The App Store is also waiving the annual membership fee for distributing free apps for select groups. Apple will not approve apps that use COVID-19 themes for entertainment and games to limit apps that take advantage of the current health crisis.
Report: Apple rejecting coronavirus iOS apps that aren’t from ‘recognized institutions’
Apple is taking a firm stance against coronavirus applications that aren’t from “recognized institutions,” a new report from CNBC says. According to the report, Apple is trying to prevent the spread of misinformation with this policy.
Apple’s Chinese App Store failed to enforce restrictions introduced in 2016
The removal of a game from Apple’s Chinese App Store has revealed that the Cupertino company has been failing to enforce government licensing laws introduced back in 2016 …
Apple should respond to shareholder proposal critical of China App Store takedowns, experts say
Apple held its annual shareholders meeting earlier today, which included votes on six different proposals, comments from Tim Cook, and a question and answer session. One of the proposals was specifically critical of Apple’s cooperation with requests from the Chinese government to remove certain apps from the App Store.
New Apple book hits #2 on German bestseller list following attempted ban
The Streisand Effect has predictably kicked in after Apple attempted to prevent the distribution of a new Apple book written by former German App Store manager Tom Sadowski. App Store Confidential is now number two on Amazon’s bestseller list in Germany, and the book is into its second print run.
Despite Apple’s claim that the book reveals company secrets, reviewers indicate that the material in it is bland and obvious …
Comment: Letting users choose 3rd-party default iOS apps would be a win-win
A Bloomberg report says Apple is considering allowing iPhone and iPad users to choose third-party default iOS apps for things like email and web-browsing.
Currently, you can use third-party apps, of course, but as we explained earlier, you can’t set them as the defaults.
It is not possible for the user to tell iOS that it prefers the third-party browser over Safari; any tapped links will open in Safari every single time. Similarly, there are many competing email apps in the App Store but shortcuts to composing a new email will only ever show the system Mail compose sheet …
Apple seeks to block publication of App Store Confidential book over ‘secrets’
Apple has issued a cease-and-desist letter to the author and publisher of a new book App Store Confidential, claiming that the former Apple manager reveals business secrets.
Apple says that Tom Sadowski is in breach of his employment contract by revealing “business secrets […] of considerable economic value”…
YouTube TV ditches App Store billing, will cancel accounts that don’t switch payment methods
YouTube TV will become the latest subscription service to drop support for Apple’s in-app billing system. CNET reports that starting in March, YouTube TV will no longer support billing via Apple and that users should switch their billing settings before then.
You can now opt-out of receiving subscription renewal emails from Apple
Apple has added a new toggle to the top of the Subscriptions page on iPhone and iPad. By toggling the switch, users can choose not to receive email notifications every time a recurring In-App Purchase is charged.
It’s a small feature addition, but may be welcomed by Apple users who have a lot of subscriptions.
Apple brings free developer accounts to eight more countries for nonprofits, gov, and edu institutions
Apple has expanded the ability for eligible organizations to apply for developer account fee waivers today to eight more countries, bringing the total to 13 that have the opportunity to get free developer memberships.
Apple removes Iranian ride sharing app for second time after sneaking back in as a radio service
To comply with US sanctions, Apple removed some Iranian apps from its App Store back in 2017 and one of them was Snapp, a popular ride sharing service in the country. However, at some point, the developers snuck it back in the App Store hidden within a music app called RadickRadio…
TikTok was the most downloaded iOS app in Q4 2019, with Disney+ #1 in the US
Controversial video sharing app TikTok was the most downloaded iOS app in the world in the final quarter of last year, according to analytics company SensorTower. The top five were rounded out by YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook.
TikTok also took second place in the US, despite growing concerns about the app…
Sensor Tower: Christmas Day App Store spending hit $193M, significantly outpacing Google Play
According to new data from Sensor Tower, Apple’s App Store had another record-setting Christmas Day. New data indicates that consumers spent $193 million through the App Store on Christmas Day, which is up around 16% compared to 2018.
Apps for a new you in 2020
It’s a new year, the beginning of a new decade, and many of us are resolving to make 2020 the year we lose that extra weight, finish that project, get that promotion, improve our spiritual lives, and focus on our relationships. I don’t like to call them resolutions, but rather goals. I always take the week between Christmas and the New Year to examine what happened the past year, what I want to change for the next year, what I want to do more of, and how I want it to be different. While our devices can be a hindrance to our goals (time wasters), they can also be a way to stay on track. I’ve always valued the maxim, “what gets measured, gets managed”, and our Apple devices can assist with measuring. Here are some apps for a new you in 2020.
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Apple will offer a daily surprise on the App Store from December 24 to 29
Following the announcement of the Apple Music Christmas deal, it seems that Apple has decided to offer more gifts for its users. From December 24 to 29, the company will have a daily surprise on the App Store. Although more details aren’t known, these gifts will likely be some paid apps and games.