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How would side loading help with apps that have been abandoned?

It would allow them to get away with not needing to update their apps. Which I feel, ironically, makes the case of a walled garden even stronger. Force developers to update and support their apps because they know they don’t have any other alternatives (eg: sideloading, third party app stores).

On twitter, someone brought up Bloodborne as an example of a game that hasn’t been updated since 2015 on PlayStation. The counterpoint is - is the game really that perfect and bug-free, to the point there it couldn’t have been made any better with a few more years of continued support and updates?

Seems there is a consistent trend of developers crying “anticompetitive” over moves like this when they simply mean “it inconveniences me and I don’t want to do it”.

And the tug of war between developers and consumers continues.
 
Would be amazing for indie devs to get their own App Store. Apple is making clear they are neither needed nor wanted in their rigged one. Why should they have to update a completed app if it fully works and follows the then current guidelines?
 
How would side loading help with apps that have been abandoned?
A third party app store could have a policy that if an app works 100% then it won't be deleted. Therefore side loading would maintain the availability of the app.
 
Wouldn't it be better for Apple to develop an actually good search in the app store? Deprioritize apps that haven't been updated in a while, but don't remove them. Prioritize new and popular apps.
The search is designed to show apps that are most successful at monetising. It is curated and not really a search at all in the true sense. New apps had their page removed from the App Store some time ago.
 
A third party app store could have a policy that if an app works 100% then it won't be deleted. Therefore side loading would maintain the availability of the app.
So, all they would have to do would be to recompile the app and publish again? Checks out. ;)
 
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There’s an old saying “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. App update when necessary. if an app works smoothly and is secure, why tinker?
Except, that’s not the case with many of these apps at all.

Many target/contain older versions of frameworks/libraries that are no longer considered secure.

Many are not optimized for the screen sizes and hardware of newer devices.

So really these apps are neither ‘smooth’ nor secure.
 
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They could simply make it more apparent when was the last Update, especially for apps that are not free, or that offer In-App Purchases.

Many people never realize until they buy an app, that it does not work correctly. And the reason is it has not been updated for a long time.

I personally never buy an app that has been abandoned for more than 1-2 years.
I usually steer clear of apps that haven't been updated in 6 months.
 
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I wish the developers would keep their apps updated, I applaud Apple for removing the bit-rotted applications from the store. Technology changes quickly... keep up or be left behind.
This is one of the reasons I dislike digital. Right now, I can walk over, grab my forty-year-old cart of Pitfall, pop it into my forty-four-year-old Atari 2600 and play until the sun comes up as if it's literally the nineteen-seventies.
 
Just because you don’t use it doesn’t mean millions dont. Some use it as a means to stay in touch with older family members and is vital. At least it’s updated very frequently unlike the ones that were removed
Let’s not forget, nobody uses Craigslist anymore, everyone moved to FB. So if you want your used Apple products, you gotta have a Facebook account.
 
Except, that’s not the case with many of these apps at all.

Many target/contain older versions of frameworks/libraries that are no longer considered secure.

Many are not optimized for the screen sizes and hardware of newer devices.

So really these apps are neither ‘smooth’ nor secure.
Yeah, how many of the apps contain log4j or any other exploitable code? Anyone who gets into software development thinking they’ll write one piece of code and never change it did not listen through their classes.

If they didn’t take classes, well, HERE’S A FREE LESSON! :)
 
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This is one of the reasons I dislike digital. Right now, I can walk over, grab my forty-year-old cart of Pitfall, pop it into my forty-four-year-old Atari 2600 and play until the sun comes up as if it's literally the nineteen-seventies.
The Atari 2600 that’s not connected to the internet? Sure! Not much different from having old iPhone that’s no longer being updated with no network connection that has old games on it.
 
This sucks. I think they removed an old bike computer app I still use. It hasnt been updated in a number of years but still works just fine.

I freaking paid for that app. Since they removed app syncing to iTunes you can't even save the damn .IPA file!

How do i keep this app if I have to restore the phone or upgrade?
 
This sucks. I think they removed an old bike computer app I still use. It hasnt been updated in a number of years but still works just fine.

I freaking paid for that app. Since they removed app syncing to iTunes you can't even save the damn .IPA file!

How do i keep this app if I have to restore the phone or upgrade?
Does it still show up in your “purchased” apps list?
 
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You’re absolutely right. They have those options but no need to take away a huge solution for them because “you” don’t like it or think it’s uncool.

The fact there are other methods and works and still works means not taking anything away.
Calls, SMS/MMS, means they can still hear their voice, still see baby/grandparents, live vicariously (even if shortly in MMS video limitations) communicate.

But yeah they like it. Plus they can also move over to WhatsApp or IG - both owned and integrated into FB ;)
 
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Wouldn’t a recompile, fill in the new App Store info forms for submissions and wait, be enough?

The complex part might be some library updates that have to be force-updated and usage refactored but maybe not that big of a deal for most apps out there?
 
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Possible reasons for forcing updates: 1) Did you pay once and publish the application? There is no way. The developer has to pay constantly for his account. Year after year. 2) Updated applications are compiled for new versions of iOS. New versions of iOS are forcing those who use old models to run and buy a new model.
 
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