Don't use iPhone, but on all my Macs it is very slow. I am actually forced to get many apps elsewhere because it is faster than going through the Appstore.
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Apple Expands Crackdown on App Discovery Apps
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Don't use iPhone, but on all my Macs it is very slow. I am actually forced to get many apps elsewhere because it is faster than going through the Appstore.
Short of some kind of fraudulent or otherwise illegal activity going on with these apps, I have no idea why Apple would want to block their use.
Even if someone discovers an app through one of these third-party apps, they still end up downloading the app directly from the App Store and Apple and the developer still get paid.
I hope Apple's paying as much attention to refining and polishing iOS 7 as they seem to be paying to these types of apps lately.
Even if someone discovers an app through one of these third-party apps, they still end up downloading the app directly from the App Store and Apple and the developer still get paid.
I hope Apple's paying as much attention to refining and polishing iOS 7 as they seem to be paying to these types of apps lately.
I agree, they are punishing the people catering to DEMAND FOR A BETTER EXPERIENCE. Apple's own "discovery" tools are terrible, their "genius" only searches a few top ten lists, and doesn't tailor itself to your usage, or purchased apps, or even relevants... It's worst than useless.
But sure, punish the people trying to help. It's the Apple-way after all.
Boy, do you just take everything presented to you at face value in life? I'm sure there is a lot more behind the scenes. Yes, in theory, the idea of highlighting and promoting apps is an excellent and novel idea. However, the consequences of this and even the actions a lot of developers are taking behind the scenes are much more than simply kind-hearted gestures to help fellow developers. They're screwing with the charts, they're taking paid promotions rather than true editorial to highlight apps they've selected, and they're using push notifications as an advertising means.
Look into things a little deeper before just believing everything people say. This has been going on constantly. Apple rejects apps, developers get their 15 minutes of fame spinning the story, when really they got rejected either because they used unpublished APIs or other technical things like that, that the general public doesn't know about.
While I agree with most of what you posted, Apple's position on this is anything but clear. The rule is vaguely written and Apple seems to be providing little information, and then, seemingly contradictory information.
I'm guessing there's some issues there; albeit these other apps appear to be competing against paid app placements within Apple's App Store.
I always assume the "Editor's Picks" and other 'featured' apps are paid for by developers. It's just a different form of advertising.
Apple is "cracking down" on App discovery apps. I fail to see how it can be anymore clear. What ISN'T clear, is how developers can circumvent this and figure out new loopholes. Which, is defying what Apple has clearly said they do not want in the store, and trying to find a new way to accomplish the same idea.
Apple seems pretty clear about it, and developers know they're taking a risk trying to loophole their way into the App Store.
They should be making a web app if they truly wanted to highlight and promote apps. Simple. Web Sites have been doing this for YEARS. However, they want a native app so they can get free distribution/promotion through iTunes charts, and they can use push notifications as free advertising (which was never the intention of push notifications).
I mostly agree with others in that these types of apps are just clutter and are unnecessary but there's also a lot of good and valid points about the App Store just being painful to use most of the time and, if they're going to block these sort of apps, they need to make sure their own App Store works well.
That sucks, I use these apps to spot the bargains when apps go on sale.. Know I won't know when the specials are on 
That sucks, I use these apps to spot the bargains when apps go on sale.. Know I won't know when the specials are on
Actually, the service I use, App Sliced or Apple Sliced -- not sure what it's called -- works really well. They saw this coming because several weeks ago, they abandoned their app in the App Store in favor of a web app. It can be accessed via m.applesliced.com/apps/ and it works just like the app used to except it's in the browser.
As someone else hinted, these apps maybe being used to manipulate the top results in Apple App Store?
Why does "App Discovery" need to be done in an App? It seems to me a web page could do this just as well or perhaps better.
In fact I think much of what is in the App Store would be better in a web page.
In fact I think much of what is in the App Store would be better in a web page.
+1
At the same time as others have said there wouldnt need to be all these mini app stores within the app store if apples official app store wasnt horrible in every way.
Maybe. Or maybe Apple just doesn't want a different user experience guiding people through its App Store? Of course, it's all conjecture on our part as Apple hasn't said anything one way or the other.
I'm just frustrated because it seems like Apple is developing an MO of poorly implementing the technology they're acquiring through gobbling up other companies. I can cite these as examples off the top of my head: Siri, the C3 mapping technology that went into Flyover, and whatever the name of the company was that Apple acquired to "overhaul" the search capabilities in the App Store.
Facebook
So when is Apple going to ban the Facebook app? In FB's last quarterly earnings statement, they disclosed successfully promoting over 25 Million installs from 3,800 developers - all promoted from within their Facebook app.
http://techcrunch.com/2013/05/01/facebook-app-install-ads/
Is Apple going to take issue with Facebook's "App Install Ads?"
So when is Apple going to ban the Facebook app? In FB's last quarterly earnings statement, they disclosed successfully promoting over 25 Million installs from 3,800 developers - all promoted from within their Facebook app.
http://techcrunch.com/2013/05/01/facebook-app-install-ads/
Is Apple going to take issue with Facebook's "App Install Ads?"
Suck the blood from '115 Billion in the bank' Apple? How? If that app points to a paid app, Apple collects its 30% share, don't they? And no one is forcing you do download those useless repeats. Apple doesn't need this kind of defence any more dude, they are among the most wealthy tech companies in the world and are becoming the uber Big Brother. Sadly, I must add.
if apple bothered to make a half decent app store then perhaps all these other "discover apps" apps wouldn't be as successful in the first place.
the app store is such a horrid app that i avoid it like the plague - instead i use one of these soon-to-be rejected apps to search, bookmark, read reviews, etc. before i click the link to the app store to download anything.
regardless, one more reason for me to switch to android in my next phone, as i am seriously getting tired of apple's s****.
the app store is such a horrid app that i avoid it like the plague - instead i use one of these soon-to-be rejected apps to search, bookmark, read reviews, etc. before i click the link to the app store to download anything.
regardless, one more reason for me to switch to android in my next phone, as i am seriously getting tired of apple's s****.
I hope Apple will start kicking out aps that rely on using spammy redirects to hijack ios users JavaScript environment and deposit said user in the App Store at apps like Candy Crunch Saga et al.!
EXACTLY!!!
If i don't like something, after having tried and then deleted it, it is my firm belief that nobody else should be allowed to try it at all....
Except for the part where we CHOOSE to find and run these apps. The "empororer without clothes" on the room is that Apples "discovery" section of iTunes is terrible. You can easily find an app if its freshly updated in the last 60 days or so... HEAVILY SKEWED to Apple's editor picks. If an app hasn't been updated, Apple pishes is way down the list, fast, and you get junk instead.
The situation is apple's making... Develop BETTER APP SEARCHING or shut up about those that are doing Apples job for them. But see that's the REAL issue here. APPLE has a zillion places they swear off developers from any kind of "assistance" getting people to see your app one you load it. Apple is going to tell you it's YOUR job to get YOUR app seen... Then they cancel any app placement programs other than APPLE's plastered all over the App Store.
Where are APPLE's rules for making "Editor's Picks"? Is APPLE making those choices fairly without bia$$? Is Apple's storefront any more "honest" than the others? Why or why not?