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Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

macrumors.com

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Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#71

Post by PlutoIsAPlanet »

overstay8930 wrote: post #5

The app still has to be notarized, this seems logical to me, I’d only be worried if they ever allowed unsigned apps to run. There are plenty of “free Vbucks” and survey sites that show you how to enable sideloading on Android to download said app that is just pure malware.

I think they should allow unsigned apps to run in a similar way to developer mode on the Xbox.

You can enable unsigned apps, but you'll loose Apple services (e.g. iMessage). This should be enough to convince normal users not to do it, but allow those who really want to do it, to do it.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#73

Post by okso »

Apple keeps a strong control nevertheless, as detailed in the page "Getting ready for Web Distribution in the EU."

> Apps offered through Web Distribution must meet Notarization requirements to protect platform integrity, like all iOS apps, and can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered in App Store Connect.

Further, the conditions for eligibility seem to block access to new startups and indie developers.

> To be eligible for Web Distribution, you must: (...) Be a member of good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more, and have an app that had more than one million first annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#74

Post by Thorrez »

shiandow wrote: post #29
lapcat wrote: post #3

This is just more malicious compliance by Apple. Indie developers are completely locked out of web distribution, and it applies only to developers who are already paying the Apple tax. > To be eligible for Web Distribution, you must: > Be a member of good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more, and have an app that had more than one million first annual installs on iOS in the EU in t…

I suppose the next stage of malicious compliance will be to allow absolutely everyone to publish apps everywhere , but with some technical warning that is designed to be ignored.

What's malicious about that? That the warning is designed to be ignored? If they deleted the warning, would that be much different?

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#75

Post by shinryuu »

> Web Distribution, available with a software update later this spring, will let authorized developers distribute their iOS apps to EU users directly from a website owned by the developer.

iPhone users don't really own their own device, do they...

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#76

Post by nottorp »

lutoma wrote: post #70
ano-ther wrote: post #2

> We’re providing more flexibility for developers who distribute apps in the European Union (EU), including introducing a new way to distribute apps directly from a developer’s website.

Important limitation if you click through to the "Getting ready for Web Distribution in the EU" page: > To be eligible for Web Distribution, you must [...] be a member of good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more, and have an app that had more than one million first annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year.

I thought it was already established that you don't have to be in good standing... cough Epic...

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#77

Post by sebtron »

shiandow wrote: post #29
lapcat wrote: post #3

This is just more malicious compliance by Apple. Indie developers are completely locked out of web distribution, and it applies only to developers who are already paying the Apple tax. > To be eligible for Web Distribution, you must: > Be a member of good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more, and have an app that had more than one million first annual installs on iOS in the EU in t…

I suppose the next stage of malicious compliance will be to allow absolutely everyone to publish apps everywhere , but with some technical warning that is designed to be ignored.

That would be great! I'd love to just be able to make and app and let Iphone users get it, without Apple having any business in it.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#78

Post by markus92 »

okso wrote: post #73

Apple keeps a strong control nevertheless, as detailed in the page "Getting ready for Web Distribution in the EU." > Apps offered through Web Distribution must meet Notarization requirements to protect platform integrity, like all iOS apps, and can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered in App Store Connect. Further, the conditions for eligibility seem to block access to new startup…

The one million requirement is where you start paying them the 50cts per install, right?

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#79

Post by yaris »

nottorp wrote: post #72

As an Apple customer in the EU, I'm staying on iOS 17.3 until they rewrite 17.4 4-5 times based on how many times they get fined again for malicious compliance.

"Always wait for a point release". It seems for this we need to wait for the _next_ point release. It should become clearer for EU side of the movement also - it is far from certain that Apple to be the one f*cked.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#80

Post by MatthiasPortzel »

> Be a member of good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more, and have an app that had more than one million first annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year

These are the same as the current requirements to create an alternative App Store. So it sounds like this is a way for developers of a single app to allow users to install just their app. Before this comes into effect, these developers will have to create a custom store to allow users to install a single app.

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