William Gallagher
In a new promotional effort within its developer site, Apple touts how with one App Store that gets 500 million visitors weekly, app makers can reach 1.5 billion Apple devices across 175 regions.
Alongside its more public-facing promotions of both the App Store and the Apple Developer Program, Apple has now updated its official developer site to promote the benefits of working with the company. The new page contains little that isn't also on the new public pages, but does specify how developers can leverage Apple's business and marketing options, as well as its technology ones.
Stressing that its single App Store means reaching five platforms — iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV — Apple says that it supports 40 languages and distributes apps to 175 regions around the world.
"We provide a powerful range of cutting-edge tools and configurations, so you can focus on creating innovative apps that influence culture and change lives using the latest Apple technologies," says Apple on the new page. "And we make sure that App Store services are always available, thanks to our hundreds of sustainability and reliability engineers who maintain our dedicated data centers (powered by 100% renewable energy)."
The new page repeatedly underlines how a developer in the Program can concentrate solely on creating their app, and leave the rest to Apple.
"Apple verifies user accounts to check that your users are real, helps to see that you get paid, and ensures that your intellectual property is protected," Apple says. "We also assist with tax obligations in over 60 regions and support any dispute process to help you protect your trademarks and copyrights."
On the technology side, Apple promotes how it has "250,000 APIs" in its various SDKs. "And with 92% of iPhone devices issued in the last four years running iOS 13, you can confidentially [sic] deliver features using the latest technologies."
Apple is promoting how one App Store gets developers onto five different platformsA recurring complaint that developers and other Apple content creators such as Apple News+ publishers, is that the company keeps all user data for itself. The new page doesn't directly address this issue, but does promote how it provides information about customers to developers.
"Each month, we analyze billions of anonymized data points that give developers valuable business insights," it says. "Measure your app's performance with data you won't find anywhere else, view sales and trends, and view and download payments and financial reports."
The Apple Developer Program usually costs $99 per year, whether you're a one-person operation or a large company. Earlier in 2020, Apple introduced fee waivers where nonprofit developers could apply to have that fee dropped.
Apple's focus on Thursday comes following many criticisms of the App Store, including antitrust allegations, plus previous attempts to defend its fees and practices.
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11 Comments
I think it's time we customers let the developers know that we appreciate the App Store as it is. I for one, do not want alternate payment methods. I do not want alternate stores. I want restrictions on things like alternate browser engines. All these things are a benefit to users.
Alternate payment methods means that Apple loses control of their enforcement of privacy. I do not want to trust 100s of companies to protect my credit card and personal information. Not to mention the loss of the easiest payment system for customers on the planet.
Alternate stores would be a disaster. What other company makes any attempt to maintain the privacy of personal information? No alternate store would because selling the information or ads based on the information is a profit center.
Alternate browser engines gives all the power to Google with Chrome and Chromium. Then we are back with Microsoft IE6. Right now the only thing forcing web sites from just requiring Chrome is that there are billions of iOS & iPadOS users who would be unable to access 100% of a site. Can you imagine going to a site with Safari on your iPad just to have a notice saying you must download Chrome to access it. So much for my privacy.
Apple's restrictions are good for users. I want a way to let these greedy, whiny, entitled companies know that I don't appreciate what they are doing.