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Apple Inserting Entries for Its Own Stock iOS Apps and Services Into App Store Search Results

There are plenty of iOS device owners who don't know half of what their devices do. This is a great way to gently redirect and train those customers to use built-in capabilities, which will not only provide a more integrated experience, but also serve those customers who don't want to set up an Apple ID and payment information (there are lots of customers who want to just use what comes on their iPad, but don't know enough about what it does out of the box to fully do so).

It's also important to note that app categories that have strong independent development don't come up with native app results -- for example, searching for "Calendar", "Weather", or "Stocks" comes up with third-party results only.
 
And lawsuit is coming in 3...2...1...

Didn't people complain about Google putting their own services at the top of their search results?

Not that I agree with any of that. It is their store (or search agent), they provide it so they should be able to promote their own products. This would be like Walmart being allowed to have signs for their store brand since that unfairly competes with the name brands.
 
There's no way anyone owns an iPad and doesn't know what it comes with!

Wait... we're talking people here.
 
iBooks is already a standalone app, and with the other first-party apps being added to the search, maybe the ability to download and update them through the store is next. I believe this is already exactly what google does.
 
Besides the fact they might be intruding on other search results I think it's a good idea. I believe there are people that don't even know they have these stock apple apps.
 
"WE HAVE A MILLION APPS IN OUR APP STORE.........but really all you need are our stock apps.......
 
Sojourn said:
There are plenty of iOS device owners who don't know half of what their devices do. This is a great way to gently redirect and train those customers to use built-in capabilities, which will not only provide a more integrated experience, but also serve those customers who don't want to set up an Apple ID and payment information (there are lots of customers who want to just use what comes on their iPad, but don't know enough about what it does out of the box to fully do so).

It's also important to note that app categories that have strong independent development don't come up with native app results -- for example, searching for "Calendar", "Weather", or "Stocks" comes up with third-party results only.
Click to expand...

Exactly!!! Most people have the mentality to download software because they don't know the capabilities of their own computer or they have gotten used to using Windows machines that don't come with anything so searching for other applications to download has become commonplace for many.

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osx11 said:
"WE HAVE A MILLION APPS IN OUR APP STORE.........but really all you need are our stock apps.......
Click to expand...

Really? Was this necessary? Just because your coffee had too much caffeine....:p
 
165847-240422-JackieChanjpg-220x.jpg
 
wow took Apple long enough to do this simple thing. It was sad that the only way to do a stock app update was to do a full OS update. That is VERY VERY poor practice. This should of been done back by no later than iOS3 and I am being nice with iOS3. Really should of gone live shortly after the App store went up.

Google figured it out a long long time ago. Mind you Google does not cheat with their built in Apps and have to play by the same rules as everyone else in Google Play store.
Next step allow the user to delete the bloat where from the iPhone instead of having to shove them into a folder called crap.

Either way this is years over due.
 
I look at this as great customer service. By saying to the uninformed iPhone/ iPad user that before you spend your hard earned money you may find out you already have the feature you are looking for on your phone.

I do not see how this can be anything but great customer service. Doesn't Apple gets a cut of Apps sold? Then wouldn't it be better for Apple to NOT tell you about an existing feature??
 
I know several people who installed some shady-looking "browsers" (web views with ads at the bottom) because they didn't know that the iPhone could "do Google" out of the box. I think this will be helpful.
 
So - by reading the original post and looking at the pictures attached to it - you're telling me that if I do a search for "safari" - the Safari app comes up!?!? [Shocked!] And if I do a search for "messages" - the Messages app comes up?? [Double shocked!]


Not sure what the big deal is here.
 
jlblodgett said:
So - by reading the original post and looking at the pictures attached to it - you're telling me that if I do a search for "safari" - the Safari app comes up!?!? [Shocked!] And if I do a search for "messages" - the Messages app comes up?? [Double shocked!]


Not sure what the big deal is here.
Click to expand...

Uh, no, because it's painfully obvious you're didn't read the article. You just felt the need to post a smart remark.
The article states that if you search using words related to the app (such as Web, Browser, Instant messaging) you will get results like Safari or the Messages App.
 
chirpie said:
That's exactly how I see it.

I also see it as a way to push developers towards innovation in developing an app rather than retreading and reiteration.
Click to expand...

Except that they can't. Wanna create your own SMS app (utilizing the carrier)? Apple says no. Want to create your own browser? Gotta use the Safari engine and dress it up differently , oh and you can't use Nitro either.

Apple really should add access to some more system API's and let more third party developers do the innovating. Even outside companies are starting to take shots at Apple for this (Facebook Home and the Occulus).

elgrecomac said:
It is their closed ecosystem so they can do whatever they want. Period.
Click to expand...

Because it worked so well for Microsoft.
 
Does this mean we'll be able to finally delete stock apps? Every other phone/tablet OS seems to have this ability to one extent or another.
 
I've never fully understood why Apple doesn't provide their apps via the AppStore. Rather than waiting for new iOS versions they could make iterative changes to each app as and when whilst not requiring an OS update all the time.

Edit: They needn't allow them to be removed.
 
nagromme said:
There's no way anyone owns an iPad and doesn't know what it comes with!

Wait... we're talking people here.
Click to expand...

My 60 year old mother in law can just barely figure out how to shut down her iPhone. Never under estimate the power of indifference!
 
whatever said:
Why is this an issue?

It's their store. If I owned a store, would I not be able to put in my store front my products?

The only issue would be if they did not display apps that were in the store that met the search criteria.

Also this does not occur when you search camera or clock. In fact I couldn't find Apple's apps listed at all.

Must be a slow news day.
Click to expand...

but remember the iPhone can not go to a competing app store like they can on Android. On android I can uninstall the Google play store if I so felt like it and just use Amazon App store or another app store. Google play is not required to put apps on Android but Apple's App store is required to put apps on iOS (not counting jail break)

Due to the reason above Apple defense of it is our App store is a hell of a lot weaker and not really a good one to use. Hell even Google could not really use it.
 
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