New 'App Pins' Allow Users to Install iOS Apps Right From Pinterest's App

[MacRumors]

Pinterest today announced a new partnership with Apple to launch "App Pins" that will allow users to install iOS apps on their devices without ever needing to leave the Pinterest app.

Let's say you're Pinning workout inspiration to your Marathon Training board. If you see a fitness app that helps you reach your goals, you can download it right from Pinterest.

When you come across an app Pin, tap Install to download the app right to your iPhone or iPad without ever leaving Pinterest (you'll only see app Pins when you're using the Pinterest app on your iPhone or iPad).

As part of the rollout, Apple is also launching its own App Store board on Pinterest, giving the company a place to feature apps on a variety of topics within Pinterest. Apple is currently featuring a number of apps and other pins focused on fashion and recipes, playing into this week's New York Fashion Week.

Huge news: we're now on @Pinterest! This week we ll be pinning live from #NYFW. https://t.co/bSpUWUKPcK pic.twitter.com/oadXbauiIt - App Store (@AppStore) February 12, 2015

Pinterest tells The New York Times it believes it can be an excellent place for app discovery considering its role as a place where people come to share and discover things.

"We can be a really powerful service for app discovery, which is a problem that still really hasn't been solved," Evan Sharp, a founder of Pinterest, said in an interview. "Our specialty is really connecting people to the things they want to do." [...]

Pinterest believes it is better positioned [than Twitter and Facebook] to help promote apps because of the nature of the service. People come to Pinterest, the company says, to find new things to do, see and buy. That is unlike Facebook, which has been used to connect with friends, or even Twitter, which is often about public discourse and news.

The new App Pins functionality is included in a just-released update to the Pinterest iOS app, which is available free of charge in the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: New 'App Pins' Allow Users to Install iOS Apps Right From Pinterest's App

 

[Jessica Lares]

Oooh! I've never had a desire to use Pinterest, but now I want to so I can use it like an app blog.

 

[AngerDanger]

You've never been fewer taps away from degrading the quality of an image with some over-filtering!
Erm, uh, looks interesting!

Next time, actually have a clue what the service does before you bash it.

That would've been helpful.

 

[jmh600cbr]

bring on "steve jobs would never have allowed this" comments

 

[prother1]

You've never been fewer taps away from degrading the quality of an image with some over-filtering!

Next time, actually have a clue what the service does before you bash it.

 

[japanime]

This is brilliant. Pinterest drives a lot of traffic to my company's website, and I can see how it could be very beneficial for app developers too.

Bravo to Apple for teaming up with Pinterest!

 

[coolfactor]

I've never quite got my head in Pinterest, but maybe it's time to start.

 

[Jsameds]

Sales for apps made for middle aged mums will skyrocket!

 

[John.B]

Apps to shovel apps to people? Really?

 

[jabingla2810]

Apps to shovel apps to people? Really?

Not really.

 

[allanfries]

I have no interest in Pinterest!

 

[McFreggle]

Pinterest can actually be a nice way to do app discovery on the Watch.

 

[Tech198]

umm.. convenient

 

[iZac]

Wasn't Apple previously against 'app discovery' apps - admittedly most of which would tell you what apps went free / on sale / discounted?

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Well this will bring more traffic to Pinterest.

 

[anek007]

Isn't this against App Store policy to install apps outside of the App Store?

 

[Jessica Lares]

Wasn't Apple previously against 'app discovery' apps - admittedly most of which would tell you what apps went free / on sale / discounted?

So Tapatalk should be taken off the App Store because it lets you access message boards that may have posts about app discounts? It's not like developers don't use Facebook and Twitter for the same thing too.

It is perfectly fine to promote an app within social media.

 

[jabingla2810]

Isn't this against App Store policy to install apps outside of the App Store?

Which is why this is news.

Apple are fully on board with this.

 

[jm001]

bring on "steve jobs would never have allowed this" comments

Steve Jobs would NEVER have allowed this!

Ok now what?

 

[maflynn]

WTF - going to Pinterest to install apps. So is apple going to allow this for all social sites at some point?

I really do question Apple's thinking here.

 

[Keirasplace]

WTF - going to Pinterest to install apps. So is apple going to allow this for all social sites at some point?

I really do question Apple's thinking here.

As long as they get their 30%, why should they care. Making it easier for dev and users is all to Apple's advantage.

----------

Wasn't Apple previously against 'app discovery' apps - admittedly most of which would tell you what apps went free / on sale / discounted?

They were supposedly against 5.5 inch screens too... Maybe they changed idea after the 1M+ app in the app store.

The least steps there are between wanting the app (the sales pitch) and buying it, more you buy. That's why Apple changed this. The app is still in the app store too.

 

[maflynn]

As long as they get their 30%, why should they care. Making it easier for dev and users is all to Apple's advantage.

How much easier can it be then pressing on the App store icon on the iPhone. I think this is a silly arrangement that really scratches my head. I'm sure Pinterest threw Apple a boat load of money to do this, but I do question why apple would agree.

 

[Col4bin]

Considering Pinterest has a user-base dominated by women (70%+), it would be interesting to see what other partnerships this can also be rolled into--and something not so gender-skewed.

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Wasn't Apple previously against 'app discovery' apps - admittedly most of which would tell you what apps went free / on sale / discounted?

Anything to make an extra buck or two these days it seems.

 

[maflynn]

Wasn't Apple previously against 'app discovery' apps - admittedly most of which would tell you what apps went free / on sale / discounted?

They're only against it, when they don't do it.

See multitasking, larger phone screens, small tablets, styluses, etc.

I'm not down on apple, but rather pointing out they're marketing is such as they want to highlight their advantages and call into question the competition's choices.

 

[Leonick]

Wasn't Apple previously against 'app discovery' apps - admittedly most of which would tell you what apps went free / on sale / discounted?

Indeed. Usually because of the rule against replicating appstore functionality (or however they phased it). Usually all you have to do is even mention an app that isn't yours somewhere in your app and eventually it'll be an issue. See Overcast for example which had a couple links to other podcast apps in case you didn't like Overcast, that had to be removed...