John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to discuss HomePod’s lack of growth in the smart speaker market, plus they look at Netflix’s plan to cut off Apple from in-app subscription purchases.
App Store
Netflix is Testing a Way to Avoid iTunes Billing
App Store guidelines say that developers can’t “directly or indirectly target iOS users to use a purchasing method other than in-app purchase.”
In a Special Meeting, Apple Encouraged App Subscriptions
Last year, over 30 software developers met in a luxury loft in New York. It was a meeting hosted by Apple about app subscriptions.
Apple and Privacy Protection, Anki Vector Robot - TMO Daily Observations 2018-08-09
Adam Christianson from the Maccast and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on whether or not Apple is doing enough to protect our privacy, plus they have some first impressions on Anki’s new Vector robot.
Apple Versus Infowars, Pachinko TV Series - TMO Daily Observations 2018-08-08
Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at Apple delisting the Infowars podcasts while leaving the app on the App Store, plus they share their thoughts on Apple’s deal for the Pachinko TV series and diversity in programming.
iPad Refresh, Mac Sales, and App Store Affiliate Program - ACM 473
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet take a look at the new iPad icons uncovered in iOS 12. They also discuss the 14% drop in Mac unit sales and wonder why Apple doesn’t use that one weird trick of making new Macs to goose Mac sales. They cap the show with a look at why Apple would cancel the App Store Affiliate Program.
Apple to Cut Apps from iTunes Affiliate Program Because Discovery Will Rock in iOS 12 and macOS Mojave
Concerned about it’s bottom line, Apple found a way to boost Services earnings by no longer thanking publishers for spreading the word about apps in the App Store.
Apple's App Store Revenue Twice as Much as Google Play Store
Apple’s App Store brought in almost twice as much revenue in the first half of 2018 than the Google Play store.
Apple Opens App Store Search Ads for France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and South Korea
Search ads allow developers to promote their apps within the App Store, with ads that appear at the top of the page when users do searches.
Looking for Dark Mode Apps for your iPhone and iPad? Check Out this List
Apple made a big deal out of Dark Mode for apps during its Worldwide Developer Conference in June, and now it’s highlighting iPhone and iPad apps that offer the feature.
$100 iTunes Card for $85 from Ebay
As deals on iTunes cards have become rarer, this is one of the best offers out there. [Update: Link to the deal added!]
Apple Pulls Right-Wing Conspiracy QDrops App From App Store
Embarrassingly for Apple, at one point it was the number 10 app on the App Store.
Apple's Relationship with AgileBits, iPad as a Mac Replacement - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-11
Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at the impact Apple’s mass 1Password license purchase will have on AgileBits, plus they debate if the iPad can be a Mac replacement for most people.
The iOS App Store 10th Anniversary is Here
It’s come a long way with the introduction of iPhone OS 2 built into iPhone 3G.
Trism II: Original iPhone Game Gets Sequel for App Store's 10th Birthday
The release not coincidentally coincides with the App Store’s 10th anniversary, and as a big part of the App Store’s early success, TRISM II got a tweet from Apple senior vice president Phil Schiller Tuesday.
Pangea iOS Games Free for App Store's 10th Anniversary - Get 'Em!
The giveaway includes in-app purchases, too, and someone are already showing up free, a day early.
Happy 10th Birthday, App Store!
It’s hard to believe, but it was July 10th (next Tuesday) that Apple unleashed this world-changing concept, and the company put out a long self-congratulatory announcement pre-celebrating this incredible milestone.
The iPhone Car Key and the Mythical Apple App Store Monopoly - ACM 467
What would using your iPhone as your car key look like in practice? Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet run through the possibilities. They also look at the on-again, off-again case where plaintiffs accuse the company with a minority share of the smartphone business of having an App Store “monopoly.”
U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Apple Appeal on App Store Monopoly Case
The appeal is on whether or not the case can proceed, and if SCOTUS allows that, it could decide if companies are allowed to maintain walled gardens for app distribution.
New iOS 12 Guidelines Kills Shady Address Book Harvesting
With a new software version comes new App Store guidelines, and there are new rules that Apple didn’t publicly announced.
Apple Shifts Developers from iTunes Connect to App Store Connect
The service comes with a new iOS app and a browser-based portal for uploading apps, managing apps and updates, using analytics, managing in-app purchases, and more.
Apple is Allowing Free App Trials for Non-Subscription Apps
This is a great choice and will let customers try apps before they buy.
Apple Updates App Store Review Guidelines to Address Steam Link, Cryptocurrencies, and Free Trials
Apple this week updated its App Store Review Guidelines to address recent questions about mirroring apps like Valve’s Steam Link, free trials for non-subscription apps, cryptocurrency mining, in-app ad behavior, and more.
Apple Allows Developers More Options for App Store Search Ads
The company added “Creative Sets for more ad variations” for better user targeting.