Apple and Epic Games ask appeals court to reconsider antitrust case ruling

Apple and Epic Games have requested that an appeals court reconsiders its ruling in the pair’s spat over App Store practices.

The ruling, which upheld a previous order from a California federal court, was the result of a lawsuit Epic Games filed against Apple.

Epic Games accused Apple of imposing unfair requirements on software developers, including high commissions on in-app purchases. 

While the trial judge determined that Apple did not violate US...

9 June 2023 | App Stores

Apple blocked over $2B of fraudulent App Store transactions in 2022

Apple continues to prioritise user safety and security within its App Store ecosystem, reporting that it successfully prevented over $2 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions in 2022.

The company says that it has been intensifying its efforts to reject suspicious apps and ensure that only reliable and trustworthy apps are available to users.

With millions of weekly visitors and over 36 million registered developers, the App Store has become a thriving platform....

17 May 2023 | App Stores

Appeals court upholds majority of Apple’s App Store policies

On Monday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the majority of Apple’s App Store policies and security restrictions in the antitrust lawsuit against Epic Games.

The ruling reaffirmed that Apple’s App Store and its security measures did not violate antitrust laws. However, the court also found that Apple couldn’t maintain anti-steering policies that barred users from learning about alternative payment options.

The legal saga between Epic Games and Apple began...

25 April 2023 | App Stores

Google proposes allowing Android developers to use alternative billing systems

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has invited developers and interested parties to respond to Google's proposal to allow Android developers to use alternative billing systems.

“Google’s complete control over in-app payments raised concerns this unfairly restricted app developers – by forcing them to use Google Play’s billing system – putting distance between them and their customers and reducing competition, to the detriment of Google Play users,” said...

20 April 2023 | Android

Apple will prepare for sideloading in iOS 17

iOS 17 is expected to be relatively light on major new features, but it will still contain significant changes.

The majority of Apple’s development efforts over the past year have been focused on preparing for the launch of its mixed-reality headset. As such, most of the company’s existing platforms have taken a backseat.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has a long history of accurate reporting on Apple’s plans, the upcoming iOS 17 will provide several...

17 April 2023 | App Stores

Google wants developers to bring their IoT apps to cars

Google is making it easier for developers to bring their Internet of Things (IoT) apps to cars.

Developers can begin building their IoT apps for cars using driving-optimised templates from the ‘Android for Cars App Library’.

The Automotive OS emulator for Android Automotive OS and the DHU for Android Auto simplifies testing apps for this category.

Interested developers should check out the updated documentation, car quality guidelines, and design...

13 April 2023 | Android

Apple releases Xcode 14.3 with all the latest SDKs

Apple has released Xcode 14.3 to developers, which includes the latest SDKs for iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, tvOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4, and macOS Ventura 13.3.

Xcode enables developers to create apps for Apple platforms such as iOS, macOS, and watchOS. This update allows developers to create apps that are fully compatible with the latest operating systems from Apple.

Apple recently warned that developers will be required to use Xcode 14.1 or later to build and submit their apps...

31 March 2023 | App Stores

Microsoft intends to launch a mobile app store

Microsoft is planning to launch a mobile app store that will compete against the App Store and Play Store.

According to Microsoft’s Xbox head Phil Spencer, Microsoft will take advantage of an upcoming EU law that will break up the monopoly held by the two major smartphone platform holders.

"We want to be in a position to offer Xbox and content from both us and our third-party partners across any screen where somebody would want to play," Spencer told the...

21 March 2023 | Android

India demonstrates its security-focused ‘BharOS’

India has demonstrated its security-focused homegrown mobile operating system, BharOS.

Government officials teased a homegrown mobile OS earlier this month. Local media outlet Business Standard initially reported it would be called ‘IndOS’ and will be a collaboration between the government, academia, and startups.

"India is one of the largest mobile device markets in the globe. Our objective is to create a secure Indian mobile operating system that could also create...

25 January 2023 | App Stores

Apple to provide more details about why it delists apps

Apple plans to be more transparent about why it delists certain apps.

Developers must abide by Apple’s strict App Store rules or face the banhammer. Some of these removals are due to clear policy violations while others are wrapped in a shroud of mystery.

Last March, around one-third of shareholders at Apple’s annual meeting backed a resolution that called on the firm to be more transparent about the apps it removes.

The root of the concern is Apple’s...

12 January 2023 | App Stores