Google releases Flutter 3.7 and teases future improvements

Google held its Flutter Forward event this week where it announced version 3.7 of the framework and teased future improvements.

Flutter started life as a framework for developing Android and iOS apps. Over the years, it’s expanded to help developers build apps for not just mobile, but also desktop, web, and more, all from a single Dart codebase.

Google says Flutter has attracted five million developers and over 700,000 apps have been created using it. Based on GitHub...

26 January 2023 | Developer

Apple is working on supporting App Store alternatives

Apple is working on allowing App Store alternatives due to legislation that forces its hand.

The EU introduced the Digital Markets Act in November which requires “gatekeeper” companies to open their platforms to other companies and developers. Apple has until 6 March 2024 to comply with the act by supporting the sideloading of apps on iPhones and iPads.

Similar legislation is being considered in the US and other regions.

Google has managed to avoid facing...

14 December 2022 | App Stores

App Store now supports prices from $0.29 to $10,000

Apple has increased the range of supported App Store prices to between $0.29 and $10,000.

The policy change is due to a 2019 lawsuit against Apple filed by software developers that alleged the company abused its market position. As part of the settlement, Apple agreed to "expand the choice of price points for subscriptions, in-app purchases, and paid apps.”

The number of price points has expanded from under 100 to 900.

"Under the updated App Store pricing...

7 December 2022 | App Stores

Apple bans using NFTs to circumvent App Store fees

Apple has updated its rules to ban developers from using NFTs to circumvent App Store fees.

Regulators and developers are becoming increasingly critical of Apple for blocking third-party app stores and payment options. With no alternative, this leaves Apple to abuse its market position to take high cuts.

“The fundamental problem for us is the lack of choice,” Basecamp CEO Jason Fried once wrote in a letter. “And [Apple Fellow] Phil Schiller’s suggestion that we...

26 October 2022 | App Stores

Apple begins Small Developer Assistance Fund payouts

Apple has started paying out to small developers that qualify for a fund established as part of a class-action lawsuit.

A lawsuit was brought against Apple by US developers over the company’s “profit-killing” App Store commissions. As part of the settlement, Apple agreed to create a $100 million Small Developer Assistance Fund.

The fund was open to US developers who sold paid apps or offered in-app purchases through the App Store between 4th June 2015 and 26th...

24 October 2022 | App Stores

Developers can now submit iOS apps with Live Activities

iOS 16.1 will release to the public next week and so Apple is now inviting developers to submit apps supporting the new Live Activities feature.

Live Activities are a key feature of iOS 16 and enable applications to display real-time information on the Lock Screen (or the ‘Dynamic Island’ for the new iPhone Pro devices).

Such information could include live scores for ongoing sports games, the status of takeaway orders, or the progress of a taxi ride:

A...

19 October 2022 | API

‘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

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