Tag: App Store

Some details are shared by various sources.

It is reported that Apple Vision Pro will have M2 chip with 8 CPU and 10 GPU cores. Maxed out GPU cores for M2 chip means slightly better graphics performance available for the device.

Interestingly, Apple Vision Pro lacks Ultra Wideband and WiFi 6E support.

Also, reviewers claim that on-screen keyboard does not provide enough usability to be considered a regular tool. Users expecting to be more typing will need Bluetooth physical keyboard.

It is also expected that Apple Vision Pro might launch outside US in time before WWDC24.

Also, Vision Pro App Store launches. App Store Connect is updated to provide developers an option to distribute visionOS apps.

Apple Newsroom: Apple previews new entertainment experiences launching with Apple Vision Pro

References:

• Apple Vision Pro M2 Chip Said to Have 10 GPU, 8 CPU Cores
• Apple Vision Pro Virtual Keyboard Blasted As 'Complete Write-Off'
• Vision Pro: Here are the productivity and streaming apps you can expect
• Apple Announces Streaming Services and Sports Apps Available on Vision Pro at Launch
• Apple Vision Pro set to launch outside of the US before WWDC, Kuo says
• Apple Vision Pro App Store Launches
• First visionOS-ready apps now rolling out on the App Store
• Vision Pro Hands-On: Reviewers Comment on Weight, Disney+ Experience, Virtual Keyboard and More
• Apple Vision Pro Lacks Wi-Fi 6E Support
• Apple Vision Pro appears to lack Ultra Wideband and the latest Wi-Fi used in Macs

Apple announces that Vision Pro will be available for purchase in US starting on February 2, 2024. Preorders will start on January 19, 2024. Headset comes with two set of straps. Optical inserts (reading and prescription lenses) will be sold separately.

Vision Pro comes with 256Gb of storage. Higher storage options are now likely.

Battery lifetime for video playback is now evaluated as 2.5 hours.

Digital Persona will be available on launch as beta.

Apple Stores in US will start providing live demos of Apple Vision Pro on February 2 on first-come-first-served basis.

Apple releases Xcode 15.2 with official support for visionOS applications. New page is published explaining details of visionOS app development.

For instance, Apple recommends not to use "AR" and "VR" terms in the visionOS apps. Preferred term is "spatial computing app".

Developers need to declare motion information for the apps – if app contains quick camera angle changes, this should be described in App Store Connect.

Apple Newsroom: Apple Vision Pro available in the U.S. on February 2

Apple Developer: Submit your apps to the App Store for Apple Vision Pro

Release notes: Xcode 15.2 Release Notes

References:

• Vision Pro launching on February 2, pre-orders begin next week
• Apple Announces February 2 Launch Date for Vision Pro Headset
• Apple Announces Vision Pro Pre-Orders and Availability
• Prescription lenses for Vision Pro to cost $149 – far less than predicted
• Here’s everything that Apple includes in the Vision Pro box
• Apple Vision Pro Ships With Dual Loop Band and More, Starts With 256GB of Storage
• Apple increases Vision Pro battery life estimate for video playback
• Vision Pro Pre-Orders Start January 19 (Next Friday), Available Starting February 2
• Apple teases ‘spatial games’ and over 150 3D movies for Vision Pro
• Vision Pro’s Persona feature will be considered a ‘beta’ at launch
• Apple Vision Pro demos in retail stores will begin on February 2
• Apple Offering Vision Pro Demos Starting on February 2
• Xcode is officially ready for Apple Vision Pro apps
• Apple Releases New Versions of TestFlight and Xcode With Vision Pro Support, Starts Accepting visionOS Apps
• Apple Vision Pro Available February 2

New regulation is in development to allow Japan companies to have their App Store competitors on mobile platforms and allow payments to be processed via local financial companies.

No exact details on upcoming regulation is yet know.

Nikkei Asia: Japan to crack down on Apple and Google app store monopolies

References:

• Japan prepares regulation requiring Apple to allow sideloading in iOS
• Japan Preparing EU-Style Law to Force Apple to Allow App Sideloading and More

Updates to Apple Developer Program License Agreement are mostly clarifications and do not impose any new significant requirements or restrictions.

The revisions include:

• Definitions, Section 3.3.3(N): Updated "Tap to Present ID" to "ID Verifier"
• Definitions, Section 14.10: Updated terms regarding governing law and venue
• Section 3.3: Reorganized and categorized provisions for clarity
• Section 3.3.3(B): Clarified language on privacy and third-party SDKs
• Section 6.7: Updated terms regarding analytics
• Section 12: Clarified warranty disclaimer language
• Attachment 1: Updated terms for use of Apple Push Notification Service and Local Notifications
• Attachment 9: Updated terms for Xcode Cloud compute hours included with Apple Developer Program membership

Apple Developer

Apple Developer:

• Updated Apple Developer Program License Agreement now available
• Apple Developer Program License Agreement

Apple notifies developers that apps distributed in Australia could be a subject to Australia Online Safety Act.

Industry codes or standards made under the Australian Online Safety Act may apply when you make your app available on the App Store in Australia. As a reminder, you’re responsible for compliance with any applicable industry codes or standards.

Apple Developer Relations

Act regulates various electronic services and establishes requirements to providers of these services.

eSafety Commissioner: Industry codes and standards

Apple is piloting new feature to help with pricing adjustments for subscriptions allowing to adjust prices according to other active subscriptions.

Contingent pricing for subscriptions on the App Store — a new feature that helps you attract and retain subscribers — lets you give customers a discounted subscription price as long as they’re actively subscribed to a different subscription. It can be used for subscriptions from one developer or two different developers. We’re currently piloting this feature and will be onboarding more developers in the coming months. If you’re interested in implementing contingent pricing in your app, you can start planning today and sign up to get notified when more details are available in January.

Apple Developer

Pricing discounts could be configured for different subscriptions.

How it works

Contingent pricing can be used for subscriptions from one developer or two different developers. For example, you might offer Ocean Journal premium subscribers the opportunity to subscribe to Mountain Climber for a discounted price of $4.99/month instead of the regular $5.99/month. Customers pay the discounted price as long as they remain Ocean Journal subscribers.

Customers can discover these pricing discounts within your app, in off-platform marketing channels, and in planned placements on the App Store. Apple helps you manage implementation, providing customers with a seamless redemption and purchasing experience based on the contingent price proposition you provide.

Apple

Feature is being piloted right now and more details are expected in January 2024.

Apple Developer:

• Announcing contingent pricing for subscriptions
• Contingent pricing

Apple announced requirements to provide privacy manifests for third party SDKs on WWDC23.

Starting in spring 2024, if your new app or app update submission adds a third-party SDK that is commonly used in apps on the App Store, you’ll need to include the privacy manifest for the SDK. Signatures are also required when the SDK is used as a binary dependency. This functionality is a step forward for all apps, and we encourage all SDKs to adopt it to better support the apps that depend on them.

Apple Developer

Additionally, developers will have to provide clarifications for some API usage. APIs that could be used for device fingerprinting will require clarifications for App Store review.

Starting in spring 2024, in order to upload your new app or app update to App Store Connect, you’ll be required to include an approved reason in the app’s privacy manifest which accurately reflects how your app uses the API.

Apple Developer

Apple Developer: Privacy updates for App Store submissions

Apple announces that App Store review team will work through holidays, but review time might be increased.

The busiest season on the App Store is almost here! Make sure your apps and games are up to date and ready in advance of the upcoming holidays. We’ll remain open throughout the season and look forward to accepting your submissions. On average, 90% of submissions are reviewed in less than 24 hours. However, reviews may take a bit longer to complete from December 22 to 27.

Apple Developer

Apple Developer: Get your apps ready for the holidays

Following announcement of award finalists Apple now publishes App Store Awards 2023 winners. Apple lists winners as apps and games of the year for its platforms.

Apple also mentions trend of the year.

Apps are a reflection of culture, and in 2023, generative AI captured users’ collective imagination with its evolution unfolding in real time. Apps started integrating AI throughout the year in a variety of ways. Although many features are still in their infancy, they gave users a chance to see, firsthand, the technology in action and come to their own conclusions about the benefits and risks. In addition to this year’s App Store Award winners, App Store Editors across the globe have highlighted a collection of generative AI apps that exemplify the Trend of the Year. Read more from App Store Editors.

Apple Newsroom

Apple Newsroom: Apple unveils App Store Award winners, the best apps and games of 2023

Apple Developer: App Store Award winners announced

Apple announces finalists for annual App Store Awards. Finalists are references in several categories – iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV apps of the year, iPhone, iPad and Mac games of the year, Apple Arcade game of the year and cultural impact.

App Store Award winners will be selected from this year’s outstanding group of finalists and will be announced in the coming weeks.

Apple Newsroom

Apple Newsroom: Meet the 2023 App Store Award finalists

Apple Developer: App Store Award finalists announced