Apps Archives - Developer Tech News

Play Store blocks users in Russia from purchasing or updating paid apps

Google is blocking users in Russia from purchasing or updating paid applications as the fallout continues from the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The company paused billing for Russian users on 10 March 2022 due to sanctions imposed on the country. That decision impacted new app purchases, as well as in-app purchases and subscription payments.

However, Google has now updated its policy and says that it is “blocking the downloading of paid apps and updates to paid...

6 May 2022 | Android

Microsoft sets out to woo regulators with ‘Open App Store Principles’

Microsoft is getting ahead of potential new laws governing app stores by announcing its Open App Store Principles.

Last week, Developer reported on Apple’s latest fight against such legislation after the company sent a letter to US lawmakers urging them to reject S. 2710—a bill that would force Apple to open its notorious “walled garden” and enable the sideloading of apps.

Microsoft has managed to avoid being the focus of high-profile antitrust investigations in...

10 February 2022 | App Stores

App Annie: Users downloaded 230B apps in 2021, spent 3.8T hours using them

A report from App Annie highlights the staggering growth the mobile app ecosystem witnessed last year.

According to the analytics firm’s State of Mobile 2022 report, users downloaded around 230 billion apps in 2021.

Theodore Krantz, Chief Executive Officer of App Annie, said:

“The big screen is slowly dying as mobile continues to break records in virtually every category - time spent, downloads and revenue.”

Chinese users downloaded the most...

12 January 2022 | Android

Developers appear to be losing interest in macOS

Analysis conducted by Appfigures suggests that developers are losing interest in macOS.

The number of Mac app releases has been on a steady decline for years, but Appfigures has noted a rapid decrease in recent months that shows no sign of slowing:

In 2020, developers released 392 apps on average per month. In 2021, that’s dropped to 343 per month.

Appfigures isn’t too optimistic about the outlook going forward and forecasts a drop to the low 200s for...

1 September 2021 | App Stores

Apple restricts M1 iPad Pro apps to 5GB RAM each

Apple is limiting apps for the new M1 iPad Pro to 5GB RAM each, despite some configurations now featuring 16GB.

The latest iPad is another step towards becoming a true laptop replacement, at least in terms of pure hardware. In fact, it’s the first iPad to feature the same desktop-class M1 processor that Apple is now using across its latest Mac lineup.

While the iPad continues to boast impressive hardware, the software continues to be held back through an OS which –...

28 May 2021 | Developer

Open-source solution switches GMS for HMS to enable AppGallery distribution

Bluesource has released a solution that switches apps using GMS (Google Mobile Services) for HMS (Huawei Mobile Services) to enable AppGallery distribution.

The open-source solution is called the Choice SDK and aims to save developers time and cost in converting their existing apps which use GMS and Firebase frameworks to be usable in Huawei’s ecosystem.

Martin Sprengseis-Kogler, Managing Partner at Bluesource, said:

“Businesses across Europe would like to...

14 April 2021 | Android

Opinion: The art of perfecting business-to-business apps

Take a look at Apple's iOS app ecosystem, and you'll see three distinct markets: consumer, enterprise, and business to business. The App Store catering to the consumer market is easily the most developed, with almost two million apps to choose from and fully realized revenue streams supported through subscriptions and ads.

Enterprise apps are far less common. They're distributed through mobile device management (MDM) platforms like Jamf or AirWatch, which means they involve a...

18 March 2021 | Developer

Apple’s VR headset to launch as niche ‘precursor’ to mainstream AR glasses

Apple is preparing to debut its long-rumoured VR headset next year but the product will be a “pricey, niche precursor” to mainstream AR glasses.

The report comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and claims that Apple itself only expects to sell around one VR headset per store each day—putting Cupertino’s first major new product since the Apple Watch in the same sales league as the company’s other expensive products like the $5,999 Mac Pro (which ships around 180,000 units...

21 January 2021 | Developer

Microsoft’s Project Latte should bring Android apps to Windows 10

A new solution from Microsoft called Project Latte should bring local Android app support to Windows 10.

Windows remains the most popular desktop OS in the world but Microsoft has been unable to attract modern developers in comparison to iOS and Android.

Apple’s Project Catalyst is helping iOS apps move to Mac with native features like resizable windows. Microsoft doesn’t have its own thriving mobile platform it can harness – so it’s been increasing support for...