Apple to reportedly remove app that enabled Google Stadia on iPhone [u]

Apple is removing an app that allowed iPhone users to play Google Stadia streaming games in a specially designed web browser, according to the software's developer.

Zachary Knox in September launched Stadium, an iOS web browser that effectively bypasses App Store restrictions on cloud-based gaming services to provide support for Stadia on iPhone. He was able to create the workaround, complete with controller integration, with a bit of clever WebKit engineering.

On Monday, Knox said Stadium is being pulled from the App Store because Apple "didn't like" the results.

"I was extending WebKit' by hooking it into the native GameController framework and thus Bluetooth controllers, which they didn't like," Knox said in a tweet.

The app was downloaded nearly 15,000 times over the past three weeks.

Stadium is still available on the App Store as of this writing. After downloading the app, users can set the user agent to a Mac device, log into a Stadia account and play on iOS with almost any controller save for the official Stadia hardware. The software supports MFi, Xbox One S, and DualShock 4 controllers.

Apple in a statement said that while it respects the creativity of developers, breaching App Store guidelines could lead to security risks. In the case of Stadium, the app applies Bluetooth privacy settings — designed to be limited to single app authorization — to the entire web. Further, the app is in violation of App Store rules that require developers to use public APIs and frameworks for their intended purposes, as well as leverage documented APIs only as authorized by Apple.

Basically, Apple argues that Stadium's use of Bluetooth permissions could leave user devices open to attack.

Apple currently restricts cloud-based streaming services from operating on its mobile platform. The company in September loosened those limitations, allowing cloud gaming companies like Microsoft, Google and Amazon to market so-called "catalog" apps on the App Store so long as each game has its own listing.

Alternatively, Apple's guidelines note "there is always the open Internet and web browser apps to reach all users outside of the App Store." Amazon took that route with Luna, a browser-based solution that relies on web apps to stream gaming content to iPhone, iPad and Mac. Microsoft will reportedly follow suit and deliver xCloud to iOS and iPadOS users in 2021.

Updated with statement from Apple.

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30 Comments

elijahg

said about 3 years ago

Would like to hear what the people who say "just play the games in a browser if they're rejected by Apple" have to say about this, which is just a browser using WebKit, but with controller integration. Again Apple's response to a fear that someone might make a couple of dollars outside the App Store is to close them down. The more Apple tightens its control, the more belligerent they appear, and the more likely they are to end up on the sharp end of the antitrust stick. It's really disheartening to see Apple's response to the antitrust investigations expose a total lack of awareness for their customers and the developer base, when it's always championed the mantra of equality. There's nothing equal about a $2tn company rejecting an app from a developer who is probably part time, trying to put food on the table.

roake

said about 3 years ago

elijahg said:

Would like to hear what the people who say "just play the games in a browser if they're rejected by Apple" have to say about this, which is just a browser using WebKit, but with controller integration. Again Apple's response to a fear that someone might make a couple of dollars outside the App Store is to close them down. The more Apple tightens its control, the more belligerent they appear, and the more likely they are to end up on the sharp end of the antitrust stick. It's really disheartening to see Apple's response to the antitrust investigations expose a total lack of awareness for their customers and the developer base, when it's always championed the mantra of equality. There's nothing equal about a $2tn company rejecting an app from a developer who is probably part time, trying to put food on the table.

You've missed the point. This free app allows Google to bypass the app store rules. Google is the major benefactor here, not the browser developer. Since the app is free, it hardly puts food on the table unless perhaps he has a commissioned deal with Google, which would make this highly suspect. Perhaps the app is ad-supported, allowing Google to collect bits of your privacy and intrude on your personal life. Even if he does only "make a couple of dollars outside the App Store," he should know to adhere to the contract he signed in order to become a developer with the option to publish apps in the app store; he should know that if he does not adhere, his app is in violation of the rules and will be rejected or removed.

flydog

said about 3 years ago

elijahg said:

Would like to hear what the people who say "just play the games in a browser if they're rejected by Apple" have to say about this, which is just a browser using WebKit, but with controller integration. Again Apple's response to a fear that someone might make a couple of dollars outside the App Store is to close them down. The more Apple tightens its control, the more belligerent they appear, and the more likely they are to end up on the sharp end of the antitrust stick. It's really disheartening to see Apple's response to the antitrust investigations expose a total lack of awareness for their customers and the developer base, when it's always championed the mantra of equality. There's nothing equal about a $2tn company rejecting an app from a developer who is probably part time, trying to put food on the table.

Maybe you should wait until all the facts come out before getting all worked up like someone raped your cat.

coolfactor

said about 3 years ago

I normally defend most decisions that Apple makes, but this feels like a dick move to me. Unless users are somehow put at risk, I can't think of a single reason for the removal of this app. And I'm not a gamer.

If this app is putting users are risk, then I support its removal, with the condition that the issues be addressed. But I'm learning towards Apple just not liking that something is competing with Arcade and their "service" revenues.

roake

said about 3 years ago

coolfactor said:

I normally defend most decisions that Apple makes, but this feels like a dick move to me. Unless users are somehow put at risk, I can't think of a single reason for the removal of this app. And I'm not a gamer.

If this app is putting users are risk, then I support its removal, with the condition that the issues be addressed. But I'm learning towards Apple just not liking that something is competing with Arcade and their "service" revenues.

Even if that is the case, the Developers have agreed to Apple’s Terms prior to even getting the development kit. With apps like this, they are in violation of that agreement. Apple IS a business; they did not spend tens of billions of dollars building the infrastructure just because of their altruistic nature. I don’t understand the argument that it’s a “dick move” not to allow Google to utilize that infrastructure for free (or at all for apps in violation of the Agreement). This app was 100% written to get Google Stadia on iOS devices in violation of the Agreement. If I were this developer, I would have been shocked if Apple DID NOT remove the app.

Someone better at it than me should check to see if this guy had any professional ties to Google.