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App Store - page 26

Steam Link update for iOS hints at imminent App Store release

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Valve Steam
Enjoy Remote Play Together today.
Photo: Valve

Steam Link could finally be about to make its debut on iOS.

After Apple updated its App Store guidelines for remote desktop clients, Steam Link for iOS has been updated to prevent players from making purchases on iPhone and iPad. The change almost certainly means that the app is being readied for an imminent App Store release.

Want World Cup results? Just ask Siri

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Siri
Siri stands ready to answer your World Cup questions.
Photo: Apple

The 2018 World Cup will be loaded with one-name football stars: Ronaldo, Messi, Isco, Neymar and, new to the lineup, Siri.

Apple’s voice-directed digital assistant will keep tabs on the World Cup schedule, scores and stats across all devices thanks to updates to sports support for users in Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Malaysia, Turkey, Thailand, Israel, Saudi Arabia and host Russia. Sports support now comes to Siri users in 35 countries.

Apple doesn’t want you mining bitcoin on your iPhone

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Antana/Flickr CC
Apple has shared more details about its cryptocurrency policy.
Photo: Antana/Flickr CC

You can no longer use your iPhone for mining bitcoins — or not through Apple’s official channels, at least.

Revised wording in the App Store review guidelines notes that Apple is banning apps which “run unrelated background processes, such as cryptocurrency mining.” In a dedicated cryptocurrency section, the company goes on to break down in more detail what is — and, crucially, is not — permissible.

macOS developer explains why App Store trials are flawed

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App Store
Apple's trial solution just won't work for some developers.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s updated App Store guidelines finally give developers the ability to offer free trials for all apps — not just those that require a subscription. It’s a great move for users and creators, and something we’ve been demanding for a long time, but it has its problems.

Daniel Jalkut, developer of the MarsEdit blogging app for Mac, lists eight reasons why Apple’s approach to app trials is flawed.

Apple approves blatant Zelda: Breath of the Wild clone for iOS

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The Nintendo Switch's flexible Joy-Con controllers work just fine with a Mac (but not an iPhone).
Nintendo’s newest console was by far the hottest product.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

We’re still eagerly anticipating Nintendo’s first The Legend of Zelda game for mobile. iOS users in China may have briefly believed the wait was over this week when Breath of the Wild landed in the App Store — except it wasn’t actually Breath of the Wild.

It turns out Apple approved a shameless Zelda clone that, unsurprisingly, doesn’t deliver everything its description promises.

Apple finally brings free trials to App Store

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Mojave
Dark view isn't the only great new feature coming to the App Store.
Photo: Apple

Apple has finally fixed one of the biggest complaints about its Mac and iOS App Stores: free trials. Developers can now offer free time-limited trials of their apps, with a one-time in-app purchase to unlock the full version. This little amendment to the App Store guidelines may prove to be huge, paving the way for developers to make much better, pro-level apps for iOS.

Apple changes App Store rules following Steam Link ban

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Screens remote desktop iOS
Has Apple changed its mind about Steam Link?
Photo: Screens

Apple has updated its App Store guidelines to include new rules for remote desktop clients.

Apps can no longer display a “store-like interface” that allows users to “browse, select, or purchase software” they don’t already own, but they can allow transactions if they are processed by a host device.

The change comes just a few weeks after Steam Link for iOS was rejected by Apple because it allowed purchasing inside PC games. It’s not yet clear whether the new rules pave the way for Steam Link’s approval.

Apple is blocking Telegram updates worldwide

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Telegram logo
Telegram has rolled out updates, you’re just not getting them.
Photo: Telegram

Telegram’s efforts to protect user privacy have seen its secure messaging service banned in Russia, where Apple has been ordered to remove the app from its App Store within 30 days. But it seems the impact of those demands is being felt worldwide.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has revealed that Apple hasn’t approved a Telegram update in any country since Russian authorities started piling the pressure on.

Fortnite update brings first vehicle, mobile voice chat

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Fortnite shopping cart
Ride to victory in Battle Royale.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite’s latest content update is now rolling out across all platforms, bringing Battle Royale’s first vehicle, a new limited-time game mode, and the ability to view challenge progression during matches.

The version 4.3.0 release also (finally!) brings the ability to use voice chat on mobile.

Russia gives Apple 30 days to remove Telegram

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Telegram flames
Telegram is in trouble in Russia.
Photo: Telegram/Cult of Mac

Apple has been told by Russian regulators that the company has 30 days to remove Telegram from the App Store. Or else!

The Russian government hasn’t said what will happen if Apple fails to respond to the legally binding letter it sent to the company. Telegram — an app used to send peer-to-peer encrypted messages — has supposedly been wreaking havoc on Russia’s internet services. Now Russia is asking Apple to step in and help.

WWDC app update preps you for Apple’s big event

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At WWDC 2018, Apple will show us the future of iOS and its other platforms.
As ever, WWDC was a highlight of the Apple year.
Image: Apple

WWDC 2018 is less than a week away and to prepare developers for the big event, Apple just updated its WWDC app for iPhone and iPad.

Developers and regular iOS users alike can all download the app to access information about sessions and other events that will be going down this week. The app comes with a new look too that makes videos more prominent than ever.

Phil Schiller sheds light on Steam Link’s App Store ban

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Steam Link on iPhone
What Steam Link would have looked like on iPhone.
Photo: Valve

Apple vice president Phil Schiller has offered clarification on Steam Link’s App Store ban in an email to disgruntled iOS users.

Valve’s hotly-anticipated app violates a number of guidelines, including those around in-app purchases, as suspected. Schiller insists, however, that Apple will work with Valve in an effort to resolve the problems and bring Steam Link to the App Store.

Silly App Store bans have gone too far with Steam Link

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Steam Link iPhone iPad Apple TV
Steam Link’s first big update is great for controller users.
Photo: Valve

Apple has decided that it won’t allow iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV owners to play PC games through Steam Link.

Valve’s new app, which is now available in beta on Android, has been banned from the App Store because of “business conflicts.” Apple has also turned down Valve’s appeals.

It’s yet another example of Apple customers being hurt by its often farcical App Store rules. What makes this ban even more ridiculous is that there are so many apps similar to Steam Link already available in the App Store.

Apple now lets you download a copy of all the data it has on you

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Apple data privacy
Apple’s Data and Privacy website launched last year
Photo: Apple

Apple is now giving users the opportunity to download a copy of all the data the company has collected from them. This includes App Store and iTunes activity, Apple ID account and device information, online and retail store activity, AppleCare support history, and more.

The tool is part of Apple’s new Data and Privacy website, which also allows users to correct any information Apple holds about them, and deactivate their account completely.

Gemini Photos saves your iPhone storage from unwanted photos

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Gemini Photo
Gemini Photos makes cleaning your library a breeze.
Photo: MacPaw

Ever take 50 photos just to get that one perfect shot? Snapping the perfect frame isn’t easy, but cleaning up the extra photos is even worse.

The folks at MacPaw have come out with a new app that makes deleting all your unwanted photos a breeze and even helps you find your best shots.

Fortnite update brings customizable HUD, burst assault rifle

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Fortnite burst assault rifle
The new Burst assault rifle will help you gun down this challenge.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite Battle Royale’s latest update has hit the App Store. Players have a new burst assault rifle to enjoy, as well as a new limited-time game mode. Epic Games has also added the ability to customize the game’s heads-up display on iPhone and iPad.

But it’s not all good news.

Apple is ‘re-evaluating’ previously approved apps which allow location tracking

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Apple pays $467k for doing business with blacklisted app developer
Apple's cracking down on apps which track their users.
Photo: Apple

In the fallout from Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal, Apple has begun cracking down on apps which share user location data with third-parties. Apple has started sending out emails to developers who infringe on these guidelines, saying that “upon re-evaluation” of their apps they have been found to break App Store rules.

In particular, Apple refers to the clause in the App Store guidelines which notes that Apple can turn down apps which transmit, “user location data to third parties without explicit consent from the user and for unapproved purposes.”

Gmail gets Snooze and Google Pay support on iOS

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gmail
Get your hands on the latest Gmail update now.
Photo: Google

Google has begun rolling out a big Gmail update for iPhone and iPad, adding the ability to snooze emails and send money via Google Pay.

The release comes less than a week after Google confirmed it is bringing Google Pay to Mac and iOS through Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

Save money on iTunes with CheapCharts [50 Essential iOS Apps #8]

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CheapCharts shows currently on sale movies
CheapCharts can save you you money on iTunes and the App Store
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

50 Essential iOS Apps: CheapCharts is best App Store sales app iTunes and the App Store are two of the best online stores for buying digital content like movies and books. They’re also really good at getting you (the customer) to spend money. CheapCharts for iOS is the perfect companion to the App Store and iTunes Store, helping you get apps and digital content at the best price possible.

Cross-platform iOS and macOS apps may not arrive until 2019

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Coronavirus could have a surprisingly positive impact on App Store revenue
Mac apps? iOS apps? There soon might be no difference.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is supposedly working on a way to let developers create apps which work on iPhones, iPads, and Macs — but don’t expect to see it any time soon.

When news of the plan was first leaked in December, it was suggested that the feature may be announced at this year’s WWDC event. However, according to Apple watcher John Gruber, while Apple may still be working on a project like this, it is more likely to arrive with MacOS 10.15 and iOS 13 in 2019.

Twitterrific update improves direct messaging and keyboard support

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Twitterrific iPhone
Twitterrific is now even better on iOS.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Twitterrific 5, one of the best third-party Twitter clients for iOS, just got a new update that makes big improvements to direct messaging and keyboard support. Users can finally send images and videos, and it couldn’t be easier to insert them.

Russia wants Apple to pull Telegram from local App Store

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Telegram flames
Telegram is one of the world's most popular messaging apps.
Photo: Telegram/Cult of Mac

Russia’s state telecommunications regulator wants Apple and Google to remove the Telegram messenger app service from their respective app stores.

This follows a recent court decision in which a Russian judge ruled that Telegram, the world’s ninth most popular mobile messaging app, should be blocked in the country. This is due to the company’s refusal to give Russian state security services the encryption keys to access messages sent using the service.

Introducing ’50 Essential iOS Apps,’ a series on the best iOS apps around

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50 Essential iOS Apps
The best and most useful apps for iPhone and iPad
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

50 Essential iOS Apps With a mind-boggling 2.2 million apps in Apple’s iOS App Store, how do you find what’s good? That discovery problem is why we’re starting the 50 Essential iOS Apps series, a curated list of the best iOS apps on the planet, with new apps added every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Throughout this series, we will highlight essential iPhone and iPad apps in a variety of categories. We will show off apps that display excellent design, functionality, features and value. Or, most often, a combination of those desirable traits. Whether you’re looking to boost your productivity, take advantage of important data or just have a little fun, we’ll recommend great iOS apps to suit your needs.