‘Ask Apple’ is an interactive Q&A series for developers

Apple is introducing an interactive Q&A series for developers that will provide opportunities to connect directly with the company’s experts.

‘Ask Apple’ is an extension to Cupertino’s existing ‘Tech Talks’ and ‘Meet with App Store Experts’ initiatives. Apple says the new series will “provide developers with even more opportunities to connect directly with Apple experts for insight, support, and feedback.”

“We’ve been listening to feedback...

12 October 2022 | App Stores

App Store revenue hit a seven-year low in September

According to a Morgan Stanley report, App Store revenues in September were rather disappointing.

Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring published a report this week that highlighted App Store revenues hit a seven-year low in September.

The analysis used data from mobile intelligence specialists Sensor Tower and represents a drop of five percent year-on-year, the steepest drop since the bank started modelling data in 2015.

Games revenue suffered the most, with a...

6 October 2022 | Android

Apple launches GymKit Certification Assistant app

Apple has launched a GymKit Certification Assistant app that should help with streamlining approvals.

GymKit launched in 2017 and enables the Apple Watch to pair with supported gym equipment for quick and accurate syncing of information.

The rollout of GymKit has been steady but probably not quite at the pace that Apple envisioned. Part of the reason may be the cumbersome certification process, so Apple is simplifying it.

In the app’s description, Apple...

7 September 2022 | iOS

Xcode 14 beta practically confirms iPhone 14 Pro will get an AOD

The latest beta of Xcode 14 all but confirms that an always-on display (AOD) will arrive with the iPhone 14 Pro lineup.

AODs have featured on numerous Android devices since around 2016. Over in the Apple garden, the only device to feature an AOD is the Apple Watch (Series 5+)

Rather than have to fully wake up your display to obsessively check for information, AODs enable data to be seen at-a-glance.

AODs require very low refresh rates to preserve battery. The...

2 August 2022 | Development Tools

Apple opens registrations for next App Store Sessions

Apple developers wanting to optimise their listing and marketing strategies can now register for the next round of App Store Sessions.

The sessions connect developers with Apple’s experts to learn more about all things App Store, including:

Improving your listing pagesAttracting customersTesting marketing strategiesImplementing subscriptionsSuccessfully using TestFlight for beta tests

App Store Sessions were first introduced in February to significant interest. They...

27 July 2022 | Analytics

Xcode Cloud is now available to all developers

Apple has announced that Xcode Cloud is now available to all developers.

Xcode Cloud was first announced during WWDC 2021. Over the past year, it’s gradually been rolling out in beta to lucky developers.

A year (and a WWDC) later, Xcode Cloud is leaving beta.

Xcode Cloud is a continuous integration and delivery service that’s built into Xcode. The solution accelerates the development and delivery of apps by bringing together cloud-based tools that help...

8 June 2022 | Continuous Delivery

Kuo: Apple will hold its mixed reality headset event in January

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will hold a special event for its mixed reality headset in January.

The analyst says tools for developers will launch “2-4 weeks after the event” and pre-orders will begin in Q2 2023.

https://twitter.com/mingchikuo/status/1534063922852302849

Last month, Kuo warned excited Apple fans not to expect the much-anticipated mixed reality headset at this year’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). Indeed, the headset...

7 June 2022 | iOS

Kuo: Don’t expect Apple’s mixed reality headset at WWDC 2022

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says not to expect Apple’s anticipated mixed reality headset at WWDC 2022.

Kuo’s comment arrives after a trademark filing for ‘RealityOS’ – Apple’s OS for its mixed reality headset – was uncovered. The filing suggests an official announcement of the headset is getting close, but Apple isn’t quite ready for the grand reveal.

https://twitter.com/mingchikuo/status/1531518877498490880

As with any current hardware launch,...

1 June 2022 | iOS

Judge rejects Apple’s bid to dismiss lawsuit by Cydia’s creator

California District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has denied Apple’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the company by Cydia’s creator.

Cydia was a third-party app store which, as you will be well aware, is officially a no-no in Apple’s books. The store was popular among the “jailbreak” community and even pre-dates the official App Store.

The creator of Cydia, Jay Freeman (AKA ‘Saurik’), ended up shutting his app store down in...

30 May 2022 | App Stores

Tim Sweeney: The App Store is a ‘disservice’ to developers

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has continued his company’s fierce criticism of Apple and called the App Store a “disservice” to developers.

In an interview with Financial Times, Sweeney explained his reasoning behind taking Apple to court.

The long-running feud between Epic and Apple is the result of the latter’s infamous “walled garden” mobile ecosystem that many see as anti-competitive.

While Google has faced similar criticisms, its relatively open approach...

26 May 2022 | App Stores