App Store

2,109 'App Store' stories December 2010 - January 2015

Opinion: Could there be method in Apple’s apparent madness in removing freebies?

Ben Lovejoy Jan 15 2015 - 7:07 am PT

I was extremely surprised when Apple made the decision to drop its Single of the Week, after doing the same thing with its 12 Days of Christmas promo. As I wrote then, the free single seemed a win-win-win: consumers got free music, lesser-known artists got exposure, Apple got the goodwill that stems from giving away free stuff.

But thinking more about it, perhaps there is method in Apple’s madness after all. Let’s start with the obvious point: the company is about to launch an Apple-branded Beats Music service, and it would then make sense to say that this, not iTunes freebies, is the way to discover new music.

But it’s not just music: 12 Days of Christmas was content of all types, apps included, so I think there could be a bigger picture here. Bear with me while I make that case in a slightly roundabout fashion …

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Google releases Classroom mobile app for iPhone and iPad

Jordan Kahn Jan 14 2015 - 9:31 am PT

1 Comment

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2fC7yrj984]

Google announced today that it’s releasing mobile apps for its Google Classroom service for both Android and iOS devices. The company officially launched Classroom to its Apps for Education customers in the US during the summer offering them a web-based platform for planning lessons, handing out assignments, and working alongside students. Teachers and students will now be able to access those features from mobile devices through the new apps and Google is also adding a could of new features to the platform.

In addition to a new teacher assignments page and archiving functions for Classroom, Google notes that the mobile apps will let users snap a photo to share or attach to assignments, share content from other apps, and access content cached for offline viewing.

Snap a photo: Right from the assignment page in the mobile app, students can snap a photo and attach it to their assignment — whether it’s the experiment they just did for a science class, or a drawing they made of their family tree. And if they’ve forgotten their homework, they can ask someone at home to snap a photo, text it and then turn it in with the app. Of course, if the dog has actually eaten it, Classroom can’t help you.

The new Google Classroom apps are available on Google Play and the App Store now as well as on the Google Play for Education store.

Apple defends against EU 14-day refund abuse with App Store alert for customers with excessive refunds on file

Benjamin Mayo Jan 13 2015 - 2:27 am PT

32 Comments

Last week, we reported on a flaw with the EU’s new no-questions-asked 14-day refund policy that meant customers could effectively get paid apps for free, as refunding the app does not delete it from customers’ devices.

In response, Apple has adjusted its App Store purchases slightly for customers who have an excessive number of refunds on file. This means people with a track record of refunding purchase effectively lose the right to refund their purchase.

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Apple adds Games for Kids sub-section to App Store in ‘5 and under’, ‘6-8’ and ‘9-11’ groupings

Ben Lovejoy Jan 12 2015 - 5:34 am PT

2 Comments

Following the dedicated Kids section added to the App Store back in 2013, Apple has now added a Games for Kids sub-section. Like its parent category, Apple has split it out into three different age ranges: 5 and under, 6-8 and 9-11.

Apple is also featuring the free book Family Time with Apps in the new section, created by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center to “help parents better understand the variety of ways that apps can support children’s healthy development and family learning, communication and connection” …
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The fundamental flaw with EU 14-day refunds: you keep the app forever

Benjamin Mayo Jan 9 2015 - 7:42 am PT

62 Comments

A week ago, Apple introduced 14-day no-questions-asked refunds in the EU for iTunes Store and App Store content. This means that, without the need for a reason, any Apple customer in Europe can get their money back for (primarily) app purchases in 5-7 days time. That’s how it is described, at least.

This opens up some possibilities for abuse. For instance, if you complete a game within two weeks, then you can get your money back and end up paying nothing. As a developer, I tested this out myself. It turns out there is an even bigger problem. At least, right now, when the refund is processed, the app continues to work. You get the app for free, forever.

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Higher European app store pricing takes effect in line with earlier email to developers

Ben Lovejoy Jan 9 2015 - 4:46 am PT

23 Comments

Update: It appears subscriptions through iTunes (like magazines) that saw price increases have seen the auto-renew function disabled, a 9to5Mac reader reports, likely to avoid a higher subscription rate being charged, although users have not yet been notified of the change.

Apple has increased the prices of apps in all countries in the European Union in line with the email sent to developers a couple of days ago. Apple has made the move in response to shifts in currency exchange rates and varying tax rules.

Prices are also being increased in Norway and Russia, though Icelandic residents will see a price cut …
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Apple announces new App Store records, says New Year’s Day biggest sales day in history

Zac Hall Jan 8 2015 - 8:12 am PT

3 Comments

Apple shared new numbers for the App Store today announcing that last week set a new record for App Store billings. According to the company, customers have spent almost $500 million dollars through app and in-app purchases over the App Store through the first week in January.. In addition to the company’s App Store record announcement, Apple has presented a new microsite focused on its job creation efforts.

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EFF takes issue with Apple’s developer agreement, refuses to launch mobile app for iOS

Mike Beasley Jan 7 2015 - 4:23 pm PT

41 Comments

EFF app for Android

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has released an app for Android devices, but announced today that it has no plans to bring the software to Apple’s iOS platform. The reason, the organization said, is that it simply cannot agree to Apple’s developer agreement.

The EFF specifically called out six points in the document that it took issue with, although it noted that there were even more problems it didn’t have the space to mention. The complaints aren’t new—many of them date back to 2010—but it seems the foundation is determined once again to make its points heard.

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Apple informs developers of additional app pricing changes in the EU, Canada, and more

Mike Beasley Jan 7 2015 - 2:27 pm PT

4 Comments

Apple has sent an email to developers informing them of upcoming changes to app pricing in Canada, the European Union, Norway, Iceland, and Russia. These changes, which take effect later this week, are not the same as the recent change to country-specific VAT rates, and impact a wider range of markets.

The pricing updates are being implemented to accommodate changing tax and currency exchange rates. Prices will go up for customers in all of the affected countries except Iceland, which will see a decrease. Russia’s prices will “change,” according to the email, but there aren’t any additional details on what that may mean.

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Apple says iOS 8 now on 68% of iPhones and iPads

Zac Hall Jan 7 2015 - 6:47 am PT

6 Comments

Update 1/20: App Store Distribution Data updated today revealing iOS 8 adoption has climbed 1% from its previous measure at 68%. iOS 8 adoption now measures at 69% of active devices according to App Store data captured January 19th. The rate increase is in line with MixPanel’s increase to roughly 71% now up from roughly 70% toward the start of the month.

Apple has shared its latest App Store Distribution Data on iOS 8 adoption to report that some version of its current mobile operating system is installed on 68% of iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches. Apple tracks the rate of iOS 8 adoption based on devices accessing the App Store with the current data being captured on January 5th, 2015.
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Apple introduces 14-day no questions asked refunds for App Store & iTunes in EU countries

Jordan Kahn Dec 29 2014 - 8:00 am PT

42 Comments

Apple has recently introduced a new 14-day no questions asked return policy for iTunes, App Store and iBooks purchases in Europe including the UK, Germany, Italy, France, and many other EU countries.
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Mac Starter Pack: unleash your iTunes gift card and upgrade your Mac with these great apps

Zac Hall Dec 25 2014 - 6:00 am PT

8 Comments

Let’s assume you unwrapped a brand new Mac this year (awesome!) or scored a ton of iTunes/iBooks/App Store credit (still awesome!) and you need ideas for awesome apps to buy and check out for your new MacBook or iMac. Tons of new apps have launched on the Mac this year and even more have added new features and remain essential. Below are some of my favorite Mac apps that I’ve used needed from time to time or even use daily and should give you a solid place to start whether your a brand new Mac user or Mac veteran looking to do more with your machine.
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Facebook Messenger and Heads Up take top slots in Apple’s most popular iOS app lists

Mike Beasley Dec 23 2014 - 2:40 pm PT

11 Comments

Apple has released the list of this year’s most popular iOS apps, with Facebook’s Messenger app and Warner Bros.’ Heads Up! game taking the top spots on the free and paid charts, respectively. The freemium Clash of Clans was the top grossing app of 2014.

Social networks claimed all of the top five free spots, with Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram coming in behind Messenger. Between the main Facebook client, Messenger, and Instagram, the social networking company managed to capture the majority of the top five slots.

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Yahoo iOS app adds local news, comments, & new side-swipe navigation

Jordan Kahn Dec 18 2014 - 10:03 am PT

0 Comments

Yahoo announced an update to its Yahoo iOS app today that adds local news, commenting, and UI tweaks to the company’s app for accessing news and other Yahoo services.

Want to know more about what’s going on around you? Today we’re bringing local news to your fingertips with the Yahoo App. As you move around the country, you’ll be able to see what’s going on in your area.

In addition to local news stories for users in the US, readers now have the ability to comment on articles:
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Apple announces changes to European App Store taxes to take effect January 1st

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 9:12 pm PT

7 Comments

Apple has sent an email to iOS developers informing them of upcoming changes to the way taxes are handled on European App Store purchases. Rather than use the same VAT rate across the entire European Union, Apple will now calculate the charges based on the customer’s home country.

This could lead to a rise in app prices in some countries where value-added taxes are higher than users are currently being charged. Apple also notes in the email that developer’s cuts of app profits will be calculated after the VAT has been deducted from the purchase price.

The changes will go into effect on January 1st. Apple’s tax practices recently came under fire from government authorities.

Robinhood launches on App Store, brings zero-commission stock trading to the masses

9to5 Staff Dec 11 2014 - 5:59 am PT

14 Comments

For several years, my grandmother has encouraged me to get involved with the stock market. While she was successful at persuading my older brother into investing in penny stocks, I have never taken the initiative to learn how the stock market truly works. For that reason, I was excited when I heard about a brand new app called Robinhood, which provides zero-commission stock trading at your fingertips.

While online brokers are nothing new, with existing firms such as Interactive Brokers and E-Trade, Robinhood is a mobile-first service that doesn’t require a desktop. Whether you are a twenty-something college student that doesn’t fully understand how the stock market functions, an experienced Wall Street stock trader, or fall somewhere in between, the app makes stock trading easier for the masses.
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Shazam for iOS updated w/ redesigned music player, deeper Spotify integration & more

9to5 Staff Dec 10 2014 - 6:55 am PT

2 Comments

Shazam for iOS received a major update on Wednesday with a redesigned home screen and music player for more conveniently keeping up to date with the latest artists you have identified, finding out what songs friends are listening to and accessing the latest Shazam charts. A brand new Shazam.com was also launched with a Hall of Fame for artists and other new features.
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Snapchat finally updated with iPhone 6/6 Plus support

9to5 Staff Dec 9 2014 - 7:52 pm PT

3 Comments

While the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were released nearly three months ago, some high-profile developers have taken incredibly long to update their apps with native resolution for the larger screens. Look no further than Snapchat, which has finally been updated with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus support in an update released today.

The latest version of the popular ephemeral messaging app, in which users can share photos, videos and instant messages with others that disappear after a customizable length of time, also received enhancements in other areas, including improved captions, the ability to change the color of, pinch to resize and drag around special text and stacked filters.
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iTunes Connect shutting down for holidays between December 22-29

9to5 Staff Dec 3 2014 - 8:23 pm PT

0 Comments

Apple has sent an email to registered developers on Wednesday to inform them that iTunes Connect will be shutting down for the holidays from December 22 to December 29. During this time, developers will be unable to submit new apps, app updates or in-app purchases to appear on the App Store. Access to iTunes Connect, Application Loader, iTunes Connect for iOS and making changes to TestFlight Beta Testing will also be unavailable as a whole.
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Apple loses appeal, cannot trademark ‘App Store’ in Australia

Ben Lovejoy Dec 3 2014 - 3:56 am PT

2 Comments

An Australian court has rejected Apple’s appeal against the country’s refusal to allow it to trademark the term ‘App Store,’ reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Registrar of Trade Marks refused registration of Apple’s “app store” trademark in March last year because it was too descriptive. Apple then appealed this decision in the Federal Court.

On Wednesday, Justice Yates ruled that Apple’s appeal be dismissed and that it pay the court costs of the Registrar of Trade Marks.

The ruling means that Apple is free to continue to use the name, but it cannot prevent other companies from doing the same. The court ruled that consumers understood that the term App Store referred to any online source of apps for any platform, and therefore there was no danger of consumers being misled into thinking they were buying apps from Apple.

In the US, Apple originally sued both Microsoft and Amazon over their use of the term back in 2011, which Apple claimed as a trademark and had used since 2008. Amazon responded by arguing that even Steve Jobs and Tim Cook had used the term generically, and a court dismissed the false advertising element of Apple’s claim while allowing the trademark portion of the case to proceed.

The two companies were then ordered to conduct settlement talks, during which Apple agreed to drop the case on the basis that its own app store was by then so successful that there was no risk of confusion – leaving it unclear why Apple continued to fight the case in Australia.

Updated Dropbox iOS app gives you quick accesss to renaming files and folders, more

Jordan Kahn Dec 1 2014 - 10:51 am PT

0 Comments

Dropbox announced today that an incoming update hitting the App Store today will offer the ability to rename fils and folders and more.

Today’s update to the iOS app includes a new “more actions button” that will let users rename files, folders and access other functions: We’ve added an easy-access more actions button next to the sharing icon in the upper right-hand corner that leads to a set of file options so you can quickly do things like rename or move a file…To rename files straight from the Dropbox, simply choose Rename from the more actions button as you’re previewing. Rename folders by swiping to the right from the file list view and tapping the rename icon.

Dropbox also points out that the latest apps have a new disappearing toolbar that provides more screen real estate when viewing files and folders in addition to a few other new features. Our new toolbar disappears (and reappears) as you need it, leaving valuable screen space for a full view into your photos or important files. Simply tap once anywhere within your photo or file to toggle between the toolbar and full screen.

That new disappearing toolbar (which was present in the last version of the app as well) includes an edit button for Microsoft Office files as part of the company’s recent integration with the Office mobile apps.

The updated Dropbox app for iOS, version 3.6, will be arriving on the App Store today.

What’s New in Version 3.6

• You can now rename your files and folders!
• Swipe right on a folder to see more actions, including rename.
• We’ve moved a few things around – there’s a new more actions button (⋯) when viewing files
• On iPhones, the more actions button (⋯) also includes the full file na

Nintendo patent hints at official Game Boy emulator for mobile phones

Jordan Kahn Nov 28 2014 - 9:04 am PT

7 Comments

TechCrunch points to a newly published patent filed by Nintendo that shows the company is interested in bringing Game Boy titles to mobile devices through emulation technology. Many emulators exist online to mimic old consoles and allow gamers to play back catalogs of games converted to ROM files on Macs and PCs, and Nintendo could possibly do the same to officially bring titles to mobile devices without much heavy lifting in terms of rewriting the games:
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The best Black Friday iOS deals: Dark Knight Rises, Infinity Blade, Rayman, Mega Man, Plex, many more

Justin Kahn Nov 26 2014 - 1:21 pm PT

1 Comment

From 9to5Toys.com:

With so many Black Friday deals popping up this week, we thought it would be helpful to organize a list of the most popular iOS game/app discounts into one place. Most of the discounts below will be available through Cyber Monday and into next week, but be sure to check back as we will be adding more notable price drops as they happen.

And remember, you can save 15% on future app purchases with these discounted iTunes gift cards from Staples (use code: 35458 in the cart).

iOS Universal: The Dark Knight Rises: $1 (Reg. $7) – 4 stars from 6,490 Ratings
iOS Universal: Infinity Blade Trilogy Sale: $10 (Reg. $20) – 4+ stars from around 500K Ratings
iOS Universal: MEGA MAN X: $1 (Reg. $5) – 4.5 stars from 2,127 Ratings
iOS Universal: Plex: $2 (Reg. $5) – 4.5 stars 11,497 Ratings
iOS Universal: Rayman Jungle Run: $1 (Reg. $3) – 4.5 stars from 24,539 Ratings
iOS Universal: Gangstar Vegas: $1 (Reg. $3) – 4 stars from 6,589 Ratings
iOS Universal: Deemo: $1 (Reg. $2) – 4.5 stars from 8,816 Ratings
iOS Universal: BADLAND: $1 (Reg. $4) – 4.5 stars from 18,904 Ratings
iOS Universal: 9mm: $1 (Reg. $7) – 4.5 stars from 4,228 Ratings
iOS Universal: République: $2 (Reg. $5) – 4.5 stars from 6,194 Ratings

iOS Universal: Clear Day – Weather HD (formerly): $2 (Reg. $4) – 4 stars from 20,619 Ratings
iOS Universal: Calendars 5: $3 (Reg. $7) – 4.5 stars from 5,307 Ratings
iOS Universal: Printer Pro : $5 (Reg. $7) – 4.5 stars from 11,068 Ratings
iOS Universal: Ultimate Productivity Bundle by Readdle: $12 (Reg. $32)

iOS Universal: W.E.L.D.E.R.: FREE (Reg. $3) – 4.5 stars from 18,408 Ratings
iOS Universal: Assassin’s Creed Pirates: FREE (Reg. $5) – 4.5 stars from 9869 Ratings

iPhone: Toy Defense 2: FREE (Reg. $2) – 4.5 stars from 3,283 Ratings
iPhone: Toy Defense: FREE (Reg. $2) – 4.5 stars from 34,364 Ratings
iPhone: TurboScan: FREE (Reg. $3) –5 stars from 16,134 Ratings

iPhone: Real Racing 2: $1 (Reg. $5) – 4.5 stars from 18,783 Ratings
iPhone: Blek: $1 (Reg. $3) – 4.5 stars from 13,353 Ratings
iPhone: Doodle God™: $1 (Reg. $2) – 4.5 stars from 35,077 Ratings
iPhone: Blek: $1 (Reg. $3) – 4.5 stars from 13,353 Ratings
iPhone: Animoog for iPhone: $2 (Reg. $5) – 4.5 stars from 13,353 Ratings
iPad: Toy Defense HD: FREE (Reg. $5) – 4.5 stars from 12,253 Ratings
iPad: Toy Defense 2 HD: FREE (Reg. $5) – 4.5 stars from 2,596 Ratings
iPhone: Star Walk – 5 Stars Astronomy Guide: $1 (Reg. $3) – 4.5 stars from 8,606 Ratings
iPhone: FX Photo Studio – photo editor, filters, effects, …: $1 (Reg. $3) – 4 stars from 12,107 Ratings

iPad: Real Racing 2 HD: $1 (Reg. $7) – 4.5 stars from 15,228 Ratings
iPad: Blueprint 3D HD: $1 (Reg. $2) – 4.5 stars from 9,031 Ratings
iPad: Osmos for iPad: $1 (Reg. $5) – 4.5 stars from 23,956 Ratings
iPad: Animoog: $5 (Reg. $30) – 4.5 stars from 1,666 Ratings

Stay locked to our Black Friday coverage all week long and head over to our daily roundups for all the best game/app deals.

Betaworks launches ‘#Homescreen’ to make app sharing and discovery easier

9to5 Staff Nov 24 2014 - 10:53 am PT

2 Comments

If you have ever caught yourself peering at someone else’s iPhone home screen, be it the person sitting next to you on the subway or in a college lecture hall, look no further. New York-based startup studio and venture capital firm Betaworks on Monday released a new app called #Homescreen for sharing your iPhone home screen and discovering apps.
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