Mikey Campbell
After pushing out new iOS, OS X and watchOS versions on Wednesday, and ahead of next week's fourth-generation Apple TV sales debut, Apple updated its App Store Review Guidelines to reflect changes specific to tvOS, including a requirement that an app's "core functionality" must support Siri remote.
Under a new App Store Review Guideline's Functionality clause, app submissions will be rejected if their core functionality does not work with the upcoming Apple TV's Siri remote, which features touchpad and voice input. An app can, however, provide enhanced functionality in connection with a game controller or other peripheral, Apple says.
The App Store Review Guideline update was spotted by app development agency Shape.
Metadata considerations are also updated to bring upcoming tvOS App Store previews in line with those found on the iOS and OS X serving storefronts. Specifically, if app images destined to appear on the Apple TV home screen's top shelf do not adhere to Apple's 4+ age rating safeguards, the software will be rejected. The new stipulation was tacked on to similar age restrictions covering icons, screenshots and previews.
Aside from additions pertaining to tvOS, App Store review conditions now include references to new and updated human interface guidelines for OS X, Apple TV and Apple Watch.
Finally, Apple notes in the "Purchasing and currencies" section that apps must not charge for access to built-in capabilities provided by watchOS, tvOS or Apple-branded peripherals like iPad Pro's Apple Pencil and Apple Keyboard.
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12 Comments
I thought we already knew that? I guess it was conveyed in some way other than the Guidelines docs, which have now been updated. (At first I thought it meant voice control must be supported... which would be great, but sometimes impossible!)
We knew that games had to support the remote.
Apps supporting the remote wasn't spelled out until now.
How would an app work that didn't support the remote?
Were people seriously considering a keyboard-based app?
I'm glad to see this: "...apps must not charge for access to built-in capabilities provided by watchOS, tvOS or Apple-branded peripherals like iPad Pro's Apple Pencil and Apple Keyboard." So no in-app purchases to access the microphone on the Watch as an app's feature, for example. The app either must have an up-front price for the whole app, or that feature has to be included for free. Same for an iPad Pro app that works with the Apple Pencil, they can't charge an in-app purchase to switch on Pencil functionality as an add-on feature.
How would an app work that didn't support the remote?
Were people seriously considering a keyboard-based app?
As an example, think of something like the Wii Fit. Sure, it uses the standard Wii remote, but it's core functionality also requires the balance board. The balance board doesn't just provide "enhanced functionality". It's an essential component.
Or what if a company such as CompuTrainer wanted to port their software to Apple TV for people to use the with their trainer instead of having to use a PC to run the software. Other than getting the app set up and hitting go, the Apple remote would have little to do with the functionality. In fact, the app would have literally zero functionality if all you had was the Apple remote, let along core functions working.
It's really not that hard to think of potential apps that simply could not have their core functionality work with the Apple remote. So it's really going to depend on how Apple defines core functionality (vs "support the remote" as you phrased it).
I understanding Apple wanting to protect customers from buying an app only to find out that it doesn't work without buying additional accessories, but it seems they are taking protectionism a bit too far, depending on how strict they are with the requirements.