![]() ![]() However, at the App Store scale, and considering how Apple runs it, that simply won't be possible for all apps, all the time. ![]() It could be argued that Apple needs to communicate better, sooner, so that developers who come anywhere close to the line, blurry or not, get waved off long before their apps hit the store. It's a case of a blurry line, and it's a situation that's bad for everyone - for Apple, because it gets them bad press and strained relations, for developers, because it costs them time, money, and faith in the system, and customers, because apps and features we like disappear on us. To be clear, this absolutely wasn't a case of Thomson trying to get an app approved that shouldn't have been, nor of the App Store team trying to hurt a developer and his livelihood. (My guess is that the time is also an indicator that the decision wasn't hasty or arbitrary, and that the ramifications for everyone were considered before the call was made.) That might be why it took Apple over a month to determine that just because PCalc could fit into a widget didn't mean it should. Meanwhile, as much as developers race to get their apps submitted in time for launch day, the App Store teams race to get all the apps reviewed and all the new features programmed in time for them to go live alongside the new version of iOS. ![]() ![]() At the same time, developers have also come to learn that if they implement them in ways Apple didn't expect, they risk rejection, either immediately or at some point in the future. Developers know that if they showcase Apple's new, tent-pole technologies in interesting and novel ways, they're more likely to get featured on the App Store, which is among the very best ways to boost their downloads. (It's worth pointing out those are two separate things - App Store review, like developer relations, falls under SVP of marketing, Phil Schiller, while App Store editorial, like App Store management, falls under SVP of services, Eddy Cue.)ĭuring an iOS launch, it's hectic for both developers and Apple. But Apple informed Cromulent Labs that the functionality was not allowed.įor other app news today, see: Skype for iPhone updated with photo saving and deletion, faster chat loading and more, Cut the Rope: Time Travel goes way back to the magnetic age of the Industrial Revolution, and Spotify finally brings its dark theme and Your Music collection to its iPad app.Because it could fit in Today view is probably why PCalc's widget made it through App Store review and got featured by App Store editorial. With Launcher, users were able to launch apps directly from the widget. The extra features can be unlocked with separate in-app purchases.īack in September, Apple decided to pull another app that offered an interesting widget. If you’re interested in trying out the widget, you can also download PCalc Lite for free. At least for me, the different widgets have been one of the top new features in iOS 8, and I’m looking forward to seeing what else developers can do with the extra-added freedom.Ī universal app designed for the iPhone/iPod touch and iPad/iPad mini, PCalc can be downloaded now on the App Store for $9.99. I’m glad to see that Apple reversed course and will allow calculator widgets in the Notification Center. The PCalc app and widget will remain in the App Store, and all calculator-type widgets will be allowed as well, an Apple spokesperson has confirmed to us.įrom our understanding, the calculator use case was not one that Apple had anticipated, which is why an App Store reviewer originally explained to Thomson that he would need to adjust the app, or risk being pulled from the App Store. Here’s more from the story:īut now we’re hearing that Apple is changing its course. After informing PCalc developer James Thomson yesterday that he must remove the iOS 8 Notification Center calculator widget from the app, Apple has reversed course.Īccording to TechCrunch, Apple will allow the app to remain in the App Store as is and will allow other calculator widgets as well. ![]()
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