App Store

Apple confirms iCloud email outage for some, App Store and iMessage hiccups reported

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 4, 2018

Looks like something is amiss with that $1 billion North Carolina data center as Apple just acknowledged that a limited number of iCloud users are having issues accessing their iCloud email. A bunch of people reported the problem earlier today on Apple's discussion forums.

The Cupertino, California company is working to resolve the problem "ASAP", reads a notice on Apple's iClod status page. It appears that the issue is not contained just to iCloud email as some users are beginning to complain about hiccups with the App Store and iMessage services as well. Moreover, looks like FaceTime is down for some, too...

UPDATE: All services are now back online...

Do you know what the most commonly used words in app titles are?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

As Apple announced on its quarterly earnings call earlier this week, the App Store is now home to more than 650,00 apps. As you can imagine, this makes it tough for developers to come up with all-new ideas.

But it also makes it tough for them to come up with all-new app titles as well. A new report is out today that takes a look at what the 25 most-used words in application titles are. Keep reading to see the list...

Apple renews efforts to protect the App Store moniker

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 26, 2012

Apple first took Amazon to court over the App Store moniker in March of last year, just as the online retailer began using the 'app store' term in their developer portal.

Last November, Apple stepped up its fight as it saw Amazon promoting the Amazon Appstore for Android apps.

Today, we learn that Apple wants to summon an Amazon executive for court testimony over the decision to drop the words “for Android” from some of Amazon’s app store branding...

Apple updates iTunes U with note-taking and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 4, 2018

In addition to the long list of other updates we're seeing today in wake of Mountain Lion's release, Apple has pushed out a new version of iTunes U. iTunes U, as you may know, is an iPhone/iPad app that gives users free access to college courses and other valuable resources.

Among the program's new features is a new note-taking option, which allows you to easily take notes while watching or listening to a lecture. Keep reading for a rundown of all the changes...

Windows malware found embedded in App Store app

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

It looks like Apple's App Store troubles aren't over with quite yet. A new report is out this afternoon claiming that Windows malware has been discovered in an Apple-approved iOS app.

Instaquotes Quotes-Cards for Instagram, a third-party title that crawls the popular photo sharing service in search of Image Quotes, is said to contain an old made-for-Windows worm...

Password requirement for free apps in iOS 6 seems to be erratic

Cody Lee ∙ July 24, 2012

Yesterday, we mentioned that several users were reporting that the latest version of iOS 6 beta was not requiring them to put in their passwords when downloading free apps.

The news spread quickly, but the assumption was premature. It appears that Apple has quickly reversed this behavior via a backend update, and the password requirement is back in place...

Developer forced to make Android game free due to rampant piracy

Cody Lee ∙ July 23, 2012

We've complained, on more than one occasion, about the high rate of piracy on iOS. It's not uncommon to see pirated copies make up 90% or more of an app's total download numbers. It's bad.

But apparently, it's even worse on Android. Popular mobile developer Madfinger Games says it has decided to make its Dead Trigger title free due to rampant piracy on Google's platform...

Russian hacker admits defeat in IAP breach

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 29, 2016

Alexey V. Borodin, the Russian hacker who made headlines with a tool which lets anyone steal extra content in apps, no jailbreak required, is admitting defeat following Apple's announcement that the in-app purchasing (IAP) exploit will be fixed in the shipping version of iOS 6 this fall.

In an unprecedented move, Apple gave developers access to a pair of private APIs in iOS, a temporary solution that effectively bypasses the hack. Borodin just publicly acknowledged that currently there is no way to circumvent Apple's band-aid fix in apps updated to take advantage of the private APIs...

iOS 6 Beta 3 finally lets you download free apps without Apple ID

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 23, 2012

We received several tips this past weekend that the latest iOS 6 Beta 3 which was released to Apple's registered developers last week finally does away with Apple ID requirement for free apps. Normally, when you download a free app from the App Store, Apple requires you to enter your existing Apple ID or create a new account.

This never made any sense to ordinary users: I can't tell you how many times my friends (some of whom only download free stuff) asked me if there was a way to drop that pesky requirement. It also doesn't support Apple's 'cut the cord' initiative that lets one set up and use an iOS device without a computer and iTunes...

Users around the globe reporting App Store outage

Cody Lee ∙ July 20, 2012

If you've been experiencing problems with the iOS App Store this evening, you're not alone. Users from around the world are reporting that they are having issues with downloading applications.

At the moment, we're having trouble getting the App Store to even load on our devices. And even when we are able to get apps to populate, trying to download them results in the above error...

Apple pulls Clueful privacy app from the App Store

Cody Lee ∙ July 20, 2012

It's not uncommon for Apple to pull applications from its App Store without word or warning. Let's just say the company doesn't take security on its mobile platform lightly.

Typically, the removals are warranted. The apps are either malicious, violate copyright laws or other App Store guidelines. But with titles like Clueful, it's not so cut and dry...

Smule releases new AutoRap app for iOS

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

Do you dream of becoming the next Eminem? Well, this won't help you become a world-famous rapper. But it will sure make you sound like one.

Smule, the company known for apps like Ocarina and I Am T-Pain, has released a new music-creation title in the App Store today called AutoRap...