Microsoft intends to launch a mobile app store

Microsoft is planning to launch a mobile app store that will compete against the App Store and Play Store.

According to Microsoft’s Xbox head Phil Spencer, Microsoft will take advantage of an upcoming EU law that will break up the monopoly held by the two major smartphone platform holders.

"We want to be in a position to offer Xbox and content from both us and our third-party partners across any screen where somebody would want to play," Spencer told the...

21 March 2023 | Android

Google offers ML-powered translation for Android apps

Google has announced that it will offer free machine-learning translation for Android apps.

The service will enable developers to bring their apps to as many people as possible, without incurring significant additional costs.

At launch, seven languages are supported:

Chinese (Simplified) French German Indonesian Japanese Portuguese Spanish

Google Translate’s transformer-based language models will be used for accurate translation into...

15 March 2023 | Android

India demonstrates its security-focused ‘BharOS’

India has demonstrated its security-focused homegrown mobile operating system, BharOS.

Government officials teased a homegrown mobile OS earlier this month. Local media outlet Business Standard initially reported it would be called ‘IndOS’ and will be a collaboration between the government, academia, and startups.

"India is one of the largest mobile device markets in the globe. Our objective is to create a secure Indian mobile operating system that could also create...

25 January 2023 | App Stores

Judge rejects Apple’s bid to dismiss lawsuit by Cydia’s creator

California District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has denied Apple’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the company by Cydia’s creator.

Cydia was a third-party app store which, as you will be well aware, is officially a no-no in Apple’s books. The store was popular among the “jailbreak” community and even pre-dates the official App Store.

The creator of Cydia, Jay Freeman (AKA ‘Saurik’), ended up shutting his app store down in...

30 May 2022 | App Stores

HUAWEI HMS Core empowers developers with innovative capabilities

While some mobile app interactions might only last for a moment, the impact they can have is lasting. No matter what apps consumers are using, they want a premium experience across all areas − and developers need to deliver. 

To that end, HUAWEI HMS Core provides developers with innovative, efficient openness capabilities to help them build high-quality applications. Read on to find out how!

HMS Core provides multi-terminal cross-OS open capability across all...

22 March 2022 | API

Apple letter urges lawmakers to reject sideloading bill

Apple has written a letter urging lawmakers to reject a bill that would force the company to allow any apps to be installed on its mobile operating systems.

The letter, addressed to Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin and Republican Chuck Grassley, claims the proposed bill will hurt user privacy and security if passed.

In question is the S. 2710 bill that would allow software downloaded from the web or other sources to be “sideloaded” on iOS.

“Sideloading...

4 February 2022 | App Stores

App Store apps can now be published as ‘unlisted’

Apple has announced that apps can now be published as "unlisted" to the App Store.

Apps that are unlisted will only be accessible via a direct link and cannot be discovered through a typical search, categories, recommendations, or chart position.

Here are a couple of provided examples where an unlisted app could be useful:

Limited audiences (such as part-time employees, franchisees, partners, business affiliates, higher-education students, or conference attendees)...

31 January 2022 | App Stores

Developers can now create custom App Store offer codes

Apple is finally letting developers create their own custom offer codes for in-app subscriptions.

In 2020, Apple introduced the ability to generate offer codes for in-app subscriptions. However, there were two major limitations: they were randomly generated and were for one-time use.

On the Apple Developer website, the company announced that it’s lifting both limitations so developers can create offer codes like BRINGONSUMMER that can be used for as long – or,...

21 January 2022 | App Stores

Apple is updating App Store prices in nine regions

Apple has announced App Store price changes in nine regions that will come into effect in the next few days.

The company updates App Store prices to account for changes in foreign exchange rates or taxes.

In the following regions, the price of apps and in-app purchases will increase:

Bahrain: Increase of value-added tax from 5% to 10%Ukraine: New value-added tax of 20%Zimbabwe: New digital services tax of 5%

Apple says your proceeds will be adjusted...

13 January 2022 | App Stores

App Store Connect now shows analytics for in-app events

Developers can now access analytics for in-app events through App Store Connect.

In-app events such as game competitions, movie premieres, and livestreamed experiences can be great ways of driving user engagement. Events can also be showcased in the App Store to help gain new users:

(Credit: Apple)

Measuring the effectiveness of an in-app event has been more difficult than it should be. Apple wants to fix that.

This week, Apple announced that developers can...

7 January 2022 | Analytics