For the users of Apple devices, the App Store is going to get much better. The company has decided to remove the apps from the App Store which are outdated and are no longer in works. However, this seems like a nightmare for the developers who are not keen on updating apps regularly.
Apple has already sent an email to its developer community indicating that there will be some upcoming changes in the App Store. The email says:
We are implementing an ongoing process of evaluating apps, removing apps that no longer function as intended, don’t follow current review guidelines, or are outdated.
The company will be reviewing applications on its App Store, and those apps which “no longer function as intended” and those apps that haven’t been updated for compatibility with recent versions of iOS and macOS, will be removed.
If problems are found, then first of all, the developer will be notified and will have to make the required changes within 30 days. Failing that, the apps will be removed completely. However, apps that instantly crash while opening will be immediately removed through Apple’s evaluation process.
The email sent to developers further reads:
Quality is extremely important to us. We know that many of you work hard to build innovative apps and update your apps on the App Store with new content and features.
In a situation where you have already installed an app and are using it. And if that app gets removed from the App Store, you’ll still be able to keep using that app.
As of June 2016, there are 2 million iOS apps for the iPhone and iPad. The apps have been downloaded about 130 billion times ever since the App Store was launched in 2008. However, not all the apps works and many of them are never downloaded.
Apple is stopping at abandoned apps. It will also fight spammy app names. Apple wants clean names to make App Store searches relevant again. As per the latest guideline from Apple, he names of new apps submitted to the store can no longer exceed 50 characters in length.
This step is designed to prevent developers from gaming App Store search, which as per the company, is “one of the most frequently used methods for customers to discover and download apps from the App Store.” Some app makers have “used extremely long app names which include descriptions and terms not directly related to their app” in order to rank higher in search results.
It will be interesting to see whether the number of apps in the App Store is going to drastically go down. Both of these changes will take effect from September 7th — the same day Apple is expected to announce a new iPhone. Apple has already released an FAQs page. Below is the email that Apple sent to the developers.
