Apple is offering bonus credit for iTunes and App Store shoppers
Apple is offering a 10 percent bonus when you add funds to your Apple ID account, paving the way for a few free purchases of apps, music tracks, movies, and any other content you can find in its online stores. The offer runs through March 14, so you'll have to hurry if you want to take advantage of it.
Twice as many publishers earned first million on Apple App Store vs Google Play
Apple's App Store has created 164 new millionaire publishers in 2018, compared to only 88 from the Google Play Store. Games continue to lead the way for both platforms in terms of revenue, but the breakdown of the publishers in terms of app categories that they focused on were very different.
Apple v. Pepper: The Supreme Court could rule the App Store is a monopoly
The Supreme Court has decided to hear an interesting case that could decide whether or not Apple has a monopoly on app distribution. The case could have far-reaching implications for a number of tech companies, though it's likely to be a matter of years before the case is resolved.
Tumblr for iOS vanishes from App Store, possibly due to inappropriate content
Tumblr for iOS is currently only allowing searches in Safe Mode, and it is not available on the App Store. The speculation is that the app's disappearance had something to do with inappropriate content, since Tumblr is known for the adult-oriented blogs and art pieces on its platform.
Microsoft Office 365 apps will hit the revamped Mac App Store later this year
During the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote, Apple said Microsoft is working on Office 365 apps for the Mac App Store. They're likely based on Apple's just-revealed support for the iOS development platform in MacOS Mojave arriving later this year. Adobe Lightroom CC is on the way, too.
Apple removes apps with CallKit framework from the app store in China
Following the enforcement of new regulation from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Apple is removing apps that use the CallKit framework. Just last year, Apple removed VPN apps from China.
Apple is removing apps that overshare your location data with third parties
Apple has begun removing apps from the App Store that are in violation of location data policies. That means that if an app shares your location with third parties without your permission, it's being kicked off the platform. It's unclear as of yet exactly how many apps are affected by this crackdown.
Apps featured by the Apple App Store saw a bump of up to 800% in downloads
As per a new report from Sensor Tower, apps that are featured in the App Store -- particularly as the "App of the Day" or "Game of the Day," can see their download numbers increase by as much as 800 percent. That makes good on Apple's claim that the App Store redesign boosted discoverability for developers.
The amount users spent on iPhone apps in the U.S. rose 23 percent last year
In 2017, U.S. iPhone owners spent nearly a quarter more money on in-app purchases than they did in 2016. The average user spent $58 on in-app purchases -- up 23 percent from 2016. While that's not a staggering amount, it is about a dozen Starbucks lattes. The average iPhone owner had 45 apps installed.
Can you really trust app store ratings? We asked the experts
You may assume positive app store reviews are a sign of quality and vice versa, but that’s not always true. We look at whether you can trust app store reviews.
‘Florence’ is a superb meditation on love from the designer of ‘Monument Valley’
Designed by the man behind Monument Valley, Florence is brief but memorable journey about falling in and out of love.
Google Play sees 19 billion apps downloaded in previous quarter
Google Play and Apple's App Store are only growing. A hefty 19 billion apps were downloaded from Google Play in the fourth quarter, giving Google a 145-percent lead over Apple in app downloads.
Apple redesigns App Store web interface to be more in line with iOS
Apple has finally updated the web interface of the App Store to bring the design much more in line with the design of iOS.
App Store guidelines require developers to disclose loot box reward chances
A new update to the App Store guidelines now requires developers to disclose the reward chances for any loot box in their games.
Impressive ‘Cuphead’ iOS game is actually an elaborate scam
An iOS version of the platformer game Cuphead, found its way onto the App Store. The app was taken down after it was confirmed to be scam.
Apple builds excitement for future releases with App Store pre-orders
Apple has introduced a pre-order system for the App Store, where you can register to receive a new app automatically on the day of release.
Apple developers in China have made $17 billion in revenue since App Store launch
Apple executive Tim Cook shared that developers on the Apple platform have earned 112 billion yuan, or $16.93 billion in China.
Here’s how to easily navigate the redesigned App Store in iOS 11
Download Apple's latest mobile OS and notice something different? Here's how to navigate the App Store in iOS 11.
Hundreds of fraudulent trading apps pulled from Google Play, Apple App Store
More than 300 fraudulent binary trading apps have been pulled from Google Play and the Apple App Store after an investigation.
App Store update gives support reps the ability to respond to user reviews
This week, the App Store is extending the ability to reply to user reviews to customer support representatives, rather than just developers.
Apple Clears App Store of VPN apps and ad-blockers
Based on the App Store Developer Guidelines, Apple is only allowing ad blockers that use the Safari Content Blocker.
Apple’s new App Store policy will cut down on annoying ratings reminders
Apple is making an effort to cut down on ratings reminders -- the pop-ups that ask you to give a positive app review -- with new guidelines.
Apple's redesigned App Store brings cleaner look puts new apps front and center
Apple has taken the wraps off of a totally redesigned App Store for iOS 11, its latest and greatest mobile operating system.
Since 2008, Apple’s App Store has paid more than $70 billion to developers
Apple announced that its global developer community has earned over $70 billion since the App Store launch in 2008.
Google Play Store will now let you know when recommended apps go on sale
Google is making it easier than ever before to keep tabs on deals and promotions for apps on the Play Store.
Wearsafe for Apple Watch puts peers in touch with loved ones in an emergency
Wearsafe Labs, the startup behind the Wearsafe Tag, launched a new Apple Watch app that connects users with loved ones in an emergency.
Parker Planners' iPad app could be the nicest iOS planner we've seen yet
Parker Planners is known for its paper planners, but the company just launched version 2.0 of its app -- bringing the app to the iPad.
Uber could reportedly track iPhone users who deleted the app and reset their phone
Uber's use of fingerprinting -- a method that allowed it to track iPhones that had been reset -- almost got it banned from the App Store.
Chinese officials are cracking down and blocking access to Apple's App Store
Chinese officials are reportedly cracking down on Apple's App Store. It's part of a broader push to impose restrictions on digital goods.
Apple’s new Clips app hit nearly a million downloads in just four days
Apple's new Clips app neared 1 million downloads, though it has so far failed to break into the top 20 in the iOS app store.
Android apps could rake in more cash than iOS this year — but there’s a catch
Thanks to dominant market share and a fast-growing install base in burgeoning markets, Android may finally pass iOS this year in app revenue.
Apple bars price references on new titles appearing in the App Store
Apple has long discouraged developers from listing prices in the titles of their apps, and now it appears the firm is cracking down.
Indie Showcase: Apple to prominently feature indie games for the long haul
The Indie Showcase will be a permanent fixture on the App Store, and will be promoted on both the home and games pages.
The iPhone’s switch to iOS 11’s 64-bit chip could make 187,000 apps obsolete
Apple's upcoming iOS 11, which the company is expected to announce in June, could end support for more than 187,000 apps.
Apple is strictly enforcing its rules against third-party app update services
Apple has begun sending notices out to developers warning them about using third-party services for app updates.
App Store change boosted paid apps, pushed down those with in-app purchases
It was for an instant, but an algorithm change in the App Store emphasized paid apps over apps that make bank with in-app purchases.
iPhone users spent double on entertainment apps in 2016 due to in-app purchases
While games still account for most app sales, the entertainment category observed an increase of 130 percent, according to Sensor Tower.
Tinder makes a move: Dating app may add a Snapchat-like video feature
Tinder recently acquired collaborative video messaging app Wheel, which is similar to Snapchat.