App Store

Download an App With a Developer Promo Code? Say Goodbye to Your Review Privileges

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 9, 2011

Apple has been ardently working on improving its App Store ranking and review system as of late. Just recently we reported that Apple had tweaked its ranking algorithm in an effort to improve the legitimacy of App Store rankings.

Now another new policy to help support their efforts has apparently gone into effect. Any app that has been obtained by means of a developer promo code is no longer eligible for review.

In fact, Apple explicitly states that if you want to review any such app, you will need to actually purchase said app...

OfferedApp Gives Free Downloads of Paid Apps, With a Catch

Alex Heath ∙ Updated March 18, 2019

Would you complete a "special offer" to legally download a paid app for free? The folks at OfferedApp think so, and they've created an advertiser-supported service for delivering paid apps for free.

OfferedApp is almost like Woot.com, except only for apps. The service gives you an app originally priced anywhere from $1-$10 and offers to for a free download. The only catch is that you must first complete anything from an online survey to sitting through a video advertisement.

Sound interesting? Let's take a closer look...

Tweetdeck for iPhone Gets a Huge Makeover with New Features

Alex Heath ∙ Updated November 13, 2019

The popular Twitter client for the iPhone, Tweetdeck, has significantly upgraded to version 2.0. As one of the original third party Twitter apps, Tweetdeck has been a fan favorite client in the App Store for a long time.

The develepors behind Tweetdeck have completely redesigned the iPhone app from the ground up. Tweetdeck 2.0 offers a whole new set of features and looks quite different from its previous version.

More info after the break...

The State of Mobile Apps [Infographic]

Alex Heath ∙ April 25, 2011

Ever since Apple introduced the App Store in 2008, the world of mobile applications has never been the same. The App Store created the status quo for other mobile app marketplaces to replicate.

Years later, it's interesting to see The State of the Mobile App World. What are the top app platforms? Top mobile devices? How does the iPhone and the App Store play into these numbers?

Check out this infographic...

iBooks Updated To Version 1.2.2

Guest Author ∙ April 23, 2011

I have to say, I absolutely love using the iBooks app on all my iDevices. This has to be one of the best features (in my opinion) in iOS 4, and since its release I've been using it at least once every week. If you're an iBooks user, you'll be glad to know Apple has pushed out another update to further improve the iBooks experience.

Apple yesterday updated its popular iBook app with several important bug fixes, stability and performance improvements.

Apple Tweaks App Store Ranking System for Better Accuracy

Alex Heath ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Apple has allegedly changed the App Store's ranking algorithm to factor in more information than just download numbers. In the past, App Store chart rankings have been based off pure downloads alone. If an app sold a lot of copies, it automatically shot to the top of its respected chart.

User engagement seems to be the reason behind Apple's algorithm tweak. Instead of only download numbers, the App Store now seems to be recognizing an app's true popularity...

Apple Gets Sued by Parent Over In-App Purchasing

Cody Lee ∙ April 16, 2011

Remember when we told you about the in-app purchasing changes that came with iOS 4.3? Apple removed the 15 minute window of password-free app purchasing in wake of consumer complaints. At the time, several angry parents were asking the FCC for an investigation into Apple's in-app purchasing practices.

Well, it appears that the recent update didn't make the situation blow over, because the complaints have started to materialize. A Pennsylvanian man adds his name to a long list of people in litigation with Apple, filing a lawsuit citing breach of contract and unjust enrichment...

Android vs. iOS – Why Google Wins No Matter What

Cody Lee ∙ April 15, 2011

Android vs. iOS is a popular debate topic, but it might just be happening at the consumer level. 9to5 Mac ran an interesting story this morning about some comments made by Google's Asia-Pacific president, Daniel Alegre."When the iPhone succeeds, Google succeeds," he mentions in an interview with AdNews.

This alone shouldn't catch anyone off guard. With over 100 million iPhones out in the wild using Google's little search bar built into Safari, why wouldn't Google be pleased with the iPhone's success?

Tweetbot for iPhone Makes Twitter Fun Again

Alex Heath ∙ Updated February 17, 2018

The folks at Tapbots have done it again. Tweetbot is a new Twitter client for the iPhone that's made quite a splash. Not many apps can be described as "joyful UI design" or "an excellent innovator of the Twitter platform." Some would say the app even "feels like a privilege" to use.

Tweetbot may very well be the app that gives the official Twitter client a run for its money. Let's take a look...

Tapbots Releases Tweetbot Twitter Client

Guest Author ∙ Updated February 17, 2018

Tapbots, the developer behind popular clipboard manager Pastebot, Calcbot, and Convertbot has just released another signature app to the App Store: Tweetbot.

Tapbots has been known as one of the most innovative, user experience-oriented iPhone app developers, and their latest app, Tweetbot doesn't seem to disappoint.

Tweetbot is a Twitter client with personality...

An iPhone User’s Experience with Android

Alex Heath ∙ Updated June 25, 2016

Things can get a little heated when iPhone and Android users start arguing over who has the better phone. The Android/iPhone debate is king of the smartphone rivalries, and iPhone fanatics swear by their platform just as much as Android users.

Few people actually use both an Android and iPhone device for any extended period of time. Usually, the fights occur between people that are sitting on opposite sides of the smartphone fence. It's always interesting to hear the experience of someone that's thoroughly used both platforms...

App Picks of the Week: NoSpot, Grades, Witness

Alex Heath ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Every week, we select a few apps that catch our eye. These apps can be from the App Store, web apps, or jailbreak apps.

This week, we have a nifty jailbreak tweak for disabling Spotlight, an App Store app, and another iOS companion app for the Mac. Hope you enjoy this week's picks!