European iOS developers can begin testing alternative app stores 

Apple this week began implementing its controversial plans to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), allowing developers to now submit alternative app stores and external apps via App Store Connect.

This development comes amid Apple's efforts to meet the DMA requirements by March 2024. With the deadline looming, Apple is taking proactive steps to enable developers to test their apps and marketplaces ahead of time.

In an update on its developer website, Apple...

9 February 2024 | API

Developers can seek guidance from Apple on EU App Store changes

Apple has announced that it will allow developers to request consultations to discuss upcoming changes to the iOS App Store in compliance with the European Union's new Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The DMA, for a quick primer, is a sweeping set of antitrust regulations aimed at reining in the market power of Big Tech giants like Apple. 

The consultations offered by Apple – which can be either online video meetings or in-person sessions at an Apple lab in Cork,...

2 February 2024 | App Stores

Unity launches XR app building tools for Apple’s Vision Pro

Unity has officially launched tools for visionOS, Apple's new operating system for its Vision Pro spatial computing headset. The support will allow developers to use Unity's development tools and workflow to build immersive experiences for the Vision Pro.

The announcement comes ahead of the Vision Pro headset's launch on 2 February 2024. Unity's templates, samples and resources will help developers tap into the headset's capabilities using Unity's PolySpatial technology to...

1 February 2024 | Development Tools

Google adds iOS and Android simulators to Project IDX

Google has added iOS and Android simulators directly within its cloud-based developer workspace, Project IDX. 

The search giant launched Project IDX six months ago as an experimental tool to streamline full-stack, multiplatform app development. It consolidates the complex workflows traditionally associated with building mobile and web apps into a single, collaborative environment.

Pasquale D’Silva, developer of the AI-powered content creation app Tanaki built with...

26 January 2024 | Android

Russia claims Apple has paid $13.4M antitrust fine

Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) claims that Apple has paid a $13.4 million fine relating to anti-competitive practices.

According to Russian news agency TASS, the fine – originally levied at 1.2 billion rubles (then worth $17.4 million) in September 2022 – was confirmed as received by Russian authorities.

"On January 19, 2024, Apple paid the fine. The money was received by the government of the Russian Federation," said the FAS.

The fine stems...

23 January 2024 | App Stores

Metaplay debuts Unity-based SDK to help scale mobile games

Metaplay, known for its fully customisable backend for game development, has debuted a Unity-based SDK to help developers scale their mobile games.

Developed over four years in collaboration with top-tier game studios in Helsinki – including Metacore, Dodreams, and Nitro – the Metaplay SDK is designed to empower developers and studios in creating top-tier online mobile games that can scale as they grow.

Teemu Haila, Co-Founder and CPO at Metaplay, said: “Since...

22 January 2024 | Development Tools

Google enables WebGPU by default in Chrome 121

Google has enabled WebGPU support by default in the latest version of its Chrome browser, Chrome 121. WebGPU is a new web standard that provides low-level access to GPU hardware for high-performance 3D graphics and general purpose computing using JavaScript APIs. 

WebGPU support is now enabled on devices running Android 12 or later powered by Qualcomm and ARM GPUs. Support will expand to more Android devices in the near future, including those still on Android 11. The rollout...

19 January 2024 | Android

GitHub rotates credentials following vulnerability discovery

GitHub has rotated encryption keys following the discovery of a vulnerability that could have enabled threat actors to steal credentials, the company revealed Tuesday.  

The Microsoft-owned firm said it first became aware of the high-severity security flaw tracked as CVE-2024-0200 on 26 December 2023. After investigating the issue and verifying there was no evidence it had been exploited in attacks, GitHub moved swiftly to rotate potentially exposed keys the same day as a...

17 January 2024 | Developer

Apple may enable sideloading in Europe ‘in the coming weeks’

Apple is reportedly planning to allow iPhone and iPad users in Europe to install apps from third-party app stores—potentially within a matter of weeks. 

The move from Apple comes in response to mounting regulatory pressure from European lawmakers demanding more competition in the app ecosystem.  

According to Apple insider Mark Gurman in Bloomberg’s “Power On” newsletter, Apple engineers are racing to launch support for app sideloading on European iOS...

16 January 2024 | App Stores

Valve clarifies what AI content it will allow on Steam

Valve has introduced new guidelines regarding what kinds of AI-generated content it will allow developers to include in games published on Steam. The move comes as AI tools that can automatically generate images, text, code, and other content have become more advanced and widely available.

In a post earlier today, Valve said it is updating its submission process to require developers to disclose if and how they used AI tools to create content for their games. Developers must...

10 January 2024 | Artificial Intelligence