Google appeal rejected in Epic Games app store antitrust case
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 by Russ Scritchfield
https://appdevelopermagazine.com/epic-games-sues-google-for-blocking-app-distribution/Alphabet Inc.'s Google was unsuccessful in its attempt to overturn a federal court ruling that ordered the company to reform its Android app store practices. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a unanimous decision rejecting Google’s claims that the trial j...
Apple app store algorithm revealed
Monday, August 18, 2025 by Austin Harris
Under mounting regulatory pressure from the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple Inc. has made a landmark move by publicly disclosing the internal workings of the App Store’s recommendation algorithm for the first time. The release of the new document, titled “Store Services Tiers,” is being hailed by industry observers as a major tu...
Apple age rating update
Monday, August 11, 2025 by Richard Harris
Apple recently announced updates to the age rating system for apps and games available on the App Store. Aimed at improving safety and age-appropriate access for users of all ages, including children, the revised system introduces more granular rating categories and new evaluation criteria.
Apple age rating update in App Store Connect: More detailed rating categories...
WebGPU in iOS 26
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 by Austin Harris
While much of the attention surrounding iOS 26 focused on Apple’s new “glass” UI system and enhanced lock screen, a more profound change quietly reshaped the technological landscape for developers and creatives. iOS 26 introduces full WebGPU support, a move that completes a long-standing puzzle in browser-based media and AI processing, and enables a ne...
From SNL to software
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 by Richard Harris
John Krewson is the founder and CEO of Sketch Development Services, a St. Louis-based consultancy known for helping companies simplify the complex process of delivering software. With a background that spans software development, project management, and leadership, plus a surprising past in entertainment, including a brief appearance on Saturday Night Live, Krewson...
Jack Dorsey unveils Sun Day
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 by Austin Harris
Jack Dorsey, known globally as the co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Block, has been on a creative tear lately, launching back-to-back experimental apps. The latest addition to his portfolio is Sun Day, a simple yet intriguing app aimed at helping users track their sun exposure, monitor UV levels, and estimate vitamin D synthesis, all from their smartphones.
Available...
Apple browser engine ban persists even under DMA
Monday, July 21, 2025 by Austin Harris
Apple’s rules and technical restrictions are blocking other browser vendors from successfully offering their own engines to users in the EU. At the recent Digital Markets Act (DMA) workshop, Apple claimed it didn’t know why no browser vendor has ported their engine to iOS over the past 15 months. But the reality is Apple knows exactly what the barriers are a...
2025 Swift Student Challenge winners
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 by Brittany Hainzinger
Apple recently spotlighted four young developers among the 350 global winners of its 2025 Swift Student Challenge, an initiative that empowers students to explore the power of coding through creative app playgrounds. Representing the next generation of innovation and driven by personal experiences and local challenges, the selected Distinguished Winners - Taiki Hamamoto...
Microsoft Dev Drive launched for developers
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 by Richard Harris
Microsoft has announced the launch of Dev Drive, a new storage volume designed to meet the performance, security, and control needs of developers. Built on the Resilient File System (ReFS) and combined with a new performance mode capability in Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Dev Drive delivers up to 30% faster build times compared to the current Windows 11 (22H2) configur...
Google app fees lawsuit approved by UK court
Friday, June 20, 2025 by Russ Scritchfield
The Competition Appeal Tribunal (‘CAT’) has made an order certifying a £1 billion legal claim against Google on behalf of UK app developers that have allegedly been overcharged by Google for using its Play Store. The case can now proceed to trial, with thousands of businesses poised to receive compensation for the loss in revenue suffered as a result o...
2025 Apple Design award winners
Thursday, June 19, 2025 by Austin Harris
Apple has announced the winners and finalists of the 2025 Apple Design Awards, honoring 12 exceptional apps and games for their innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement. These accolades, presented during WWDC25, celebrate creative excellence across a diverse set of development teams from around the globe.
Apple recognizes 2025 Apple Design award winners and f...
Apple's WWDC 2025: Innovation for everyone except app developers
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 by Richard Harris
Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote was a spectacle of contrasts. On one hand, it dazzled developers with a Liquid Glass design aesthetic and a boatload of polished features across iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and more. They even threw in some whimsical flair, from cheeky Formula 1 references to a piano man crooning App Store reviews on stage. It felt like Apple was serenad...
The Great App Purge Googles Quality Overhaul
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 by Richard Harris
In early 2025, the tech world was rocked by a revelation that caught even seasoned app developers off guard: Google’s Play Store had lost nearly half of its apps in the span of just over a year. What seemed at first to be a quiet pruning of low-value software turned out to be a full-blown purge, 47% of apps had vanished. A platform that once boasted the largest ca...
Fortnite returns to iOS
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 by Richard Harris
Fortnite has returned to the iOS App Store in the United States after nearly five years of absence, marking a turning point in the strained relationship between Epic Games and Apple. This reappearance is not just a routine relisting of a popular mobile game, it signifies a dramatic shift in the power struggle between large tech platforms and the developers who rely on t...
Developers Alliance announces new advisory board
Monday, April 28, 2025 by Brittany Hainzinger
The Developers Alliance announced three independent app developers have joined its Advisory Board. Adri Ofman of FlipaClip, Sean Higgins of BetterYou, and Mariah Smith, former Lead Android Engineer at Trala will use their diverse experience and expertise to help shape the Alliance’s advocacy on several issues, including proposed changes to the app ecosystem, data ...
Developers Alliance reacts to european DMA investigation
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 by Richard Harris
Developers Alliance board chair Jake Ward released the following statement in reaction to the European Commission’s findings of non-compliance with the burdensome regulations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Developers Alliance reacts to European Commission’s DMA investigation findings
"It was harder yesterday to be an app developer in Eu...
App marketing for Indie Developers 101
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 by Richard Harris
As an indie app developer, standing out in a crowded digital marketplace can feel akin to navigating a vast, uncharted ocean. We often find ourselves grappling with the dual challenges of creating innovative apps while simultaneously trying to master the art of marketing them. Yet, despite the odds, there are strategies and tools that can help us carve out a niche and t...
Developers Alliance announces new board chair
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 by Brittany Hainzinger
The Developers Alliance announced Jake Ward will chair a new board of directors tasked with addressing the mounting public policy challenges facing application developers. Ward co-founded the Alliance in 2012, leaving in 2017 to found developer-focused management platform Data Protocol.
"I’m excited to return to the Developers Alliance at this critical tim...
App marketing for older apps
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 by Richard Harris
App Store Optimization (ASO) is a critical component of app marketing, particularly for older apps that need to regain or maintain market visibility. ASO is more than just keyword optimization; its a holistic approach. It involves multiple levers, including keyword, creative, and engagement optimizations. A comprehensive ASO strategy can significantly enhance an app'...
NetLib Security predictions 2025
Thursday, January 2, 2025 by Richard Harris
The leading prediction for 2025 will sound familiar: Generative AI directly affects your privacy rights. In many ways, this is a twist on the typical cybersecurity problem. Rather than a hacker or a bad actor breaking in to steal your data, we are being asked to hand our keys to the companies we often trust the most: Microsoft, Apple, Dropbox, and Google!
NetLib Secu...
App development predictions for 2025 from Kochava
Friday, December 20, 2024 by Richard Harris
As we approach 2025, app development is rapidly evolving. Technological advancements, changes in user expectations, and emerging global trends are redefining what it means to build, deploy, and use mobile and web applications.
2025 app development predictions from Amro Hassan at Kochava
With groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence, connectivity, and...
UK app developers file class action lawsuit against Apple
Thursday, December 19, 2024 by Richard Harris
A class action lawsuit has been launched in the UK against Apple, alleging that the tech giant has abused its dominant position in iOS app distribution to charge excessive commission fees. The case, Ennis v Apple, is being brought to the UK Competition Appeals Tribunal and seeks up to $970 million USD in damages on behalf of UK-based app developers. What you need to kn...
Mobile operators in France unite to protect digital identities
Monday, December 16, 2024 by Brittany Hainzinger
As part of the global GSMA Open Gateway initiative, France's four leading mobile operators – Bouygues Telecom, Free, Orange and SFR – announced they will join forces to provide services designed to help app developers and enterprises tackle online fraud and protect the digital identities of mobile customers.
Mobile operators in France unite to protect digit...
Agentic AI app development streamlined with new Capella AI services
Monday, December 16, 2024 by Richard Harris
Couchbase, Inc. unveiled Capella AI Services to help enterprises address the growing data challenges of AI development and deployment and streamline how they build secure agentic AI applications at scale. The comprehensive AI Services, including model hosting, automated vectorization, unstructured data preprocessing and AI agent catalog services, allow organizations to ...
Apple lawsuit filed by UK developers
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 by Austin Harris
A leading competition law expert pursuing a class action lawsuit against Apple on behalf of UK app developers has been told his case can go ahead, with the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) certifying his claim for £785m (just over one billion US dollars) on behalf of UK app developers. Today, the CAT made the collective proceedings order, confirming it...
Emerging features to consider for mobile app development
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 by Richard Harris
In an era where mobile applications are ubiquitous, with a staggering 8.93 million apps vying for attention across various app stores, distinguishing your app from the competition is paramount. While aesthetics undoubtedly play a role in user attraction, it is the functionality and features of an app that truly captivate and retain users. Whether you are embarking on yo...
Network API development in 2025
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 by Mikko Jarva
There is a shift occurring in the telecommunications sector as network operators develop network-as-a-service (NaaS) offers—essentially, offering the extensive capabilities of their wide-area wired and wireless networks as programmable platforms to support public cloud and private enterprise applications.
How a holistic approach can drive higher-value net...
Advantages of 5G for the mobile app development industry
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 by Austin Harris
In an era where the internet is integral to our daily lives, from finding the nearest grocery store to having those groceries delivered to our doorstep, the role of mobile applications is more crucial than ever. With the advent of 5G technology, the mobile app development industry stands on the brink of a transformative period. This new generation of wireless technology...
Most captivating AI tools revealed
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 by Russ Scritchfield
eDiscovery experts Reveal assembled a list of AI-powered tools from online directories and then ranked them by average visit duration to see which users spend the longest time on. The 100 tools with the most organic traffic, as well as Reveal’s own eDiscovery tool, Ask, then provided the seed list that was used to obtain data on each tool’s average visit dur...
Android 15 releases to AOSP
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 by Richard Harris
Android has officially unveiled Android 15, the latest iteration of its mobile operating system, now available through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). This new version will be rolling out to supported Pixel devices over the coming weeks and will also be available on select devices from manufacturers including Samsung, Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, Motorola, Nothing, OneP...
Mobile games are main income for developers
Monday, September 16, 2024 by Richard Harris
Mobile games continue to be the primary source of income for mobile app developers. According to the numbers presented by NoKyc.com, mobile games are expected to account for 52.2% of all downloads in both major app stores in 2024.
Mobile users are expected to download 150.4 billion games in 2024
Mobile phone users are more likely to download games than a...
UK android app developers file class action suit against Google
Thursday, September 12, 2024 by Austin Harris
A leading competition law expert, Professor Barry Rodger, has filed a legal claim worth up to E1.04 billion against Google before the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (“CAT”). Google is accused of abusing its dominant position to the detriment of a large class of thousands of UK app developers who need to use its app marketplace, ‘Play Store’ or &l...
Geo-Fraud Detection mobile app by Appdome
Friday, August 2, 2024 by Austin Harris
Appdome announced it has enhanced its Geo-Fraud Detection service to include two new defenses: Geo-Location Fencing and Geo DeSync Attack Detection. Combined with other Geo-Compliance features available on the Appdome platform, mobile app developers and enterprises can eliminate location-based fraud, ensure geo-compliance and deliver location relevant use...
Apple interviews app creators
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 by Austin Harris
Around the world, developers are building apps that break down barriers across gender, race, socioeconomic status, language, and physical ability.
In celebration of Entrepreneur Camp’s fifth anniversary, Apple spoke with alumni app creators whose apps are shaking things up in education, fitness, and mental health. All three women have participated in the immers...
Apple Swift Student Challenge winners for 2024
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 by Austin Harris
Apple’s annual Swift Student Challenge recognizes the best in student coding, and this year, it has added a new category to its ranks. Out of 350 winning submissions, 50 students have been named Distinguished Winners for building app playgrounds that stand out for their innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity. These 50 students have been invited to a...
