Tag: developers

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Mobile Syrup

Android apps will need to let users delete their accounts and data

Soon, Android apps that let you make an account will also have to let you delete the account and its data from both the app and website.

According to a blog post on the Android Developers Blog (via Engadget), Google hopes to create “a more intuitive experience” and ” better educate our shared users on the data controls available to them.”

Along with providing the option to delete your account and data, developers will need to wipe data for an account when users request the account be deleted. And the web requirements are intended to help ensure users don’t need to reinstall an app just to delete their account.

The policy won’t come into effect right away, though. According to the blog, developers will have until December 7th to answer questions about data deletion in apps’ safety forms, and Play Store listing will start showing the changes in early 2024. Developers can also file for an extension until May 31st, 2023.

It’s worth noting Apple made a similar change with the App Store a couple of months ago.

The move to require account and data deletion is part of a wider concern about privacy violations and, as Engadget notes, perhaps a response to growing regulatory efforts in the U.S. to give consumers control over accounts and services (though that might focus more on subscriptions).

Source: Android Developers Blog Via: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

Twitter adds new rule banning third-party clients to developer agreement

Over the last week, developers of third-party Twitter clients have been frustrated by a sudden disruption to the functionality of their apps — a disruption Twitter has now made permanent.

On January 12th, many third-party apps stopped working. At first, developers and users gave the company the benefit of the doubt and thought it was a bug or glitch. It turns out that wasn’t the case. Reporting indicated Twitter made the change intentionally, and then Twitter itself seemed to back that up with a January 17th declaration that it was “enforcing its long-standing API rules.”

Except, the rule Twitter is enforcing didn’t exist until January 19th. On Thursday, Twitter updated its developer agreement with a new rule prohibiting the creation of third-party clients. According to Engadget, that’s the only substantive change to the 5,000-word agreement.

Specifically, the rule in question bans the “use or access the Licensed Materials to create or attempt to create a substitute or similar service or product to the Twitter Applications.”

Moreover, Twitter’s claim about long-standing API rules conflicts with the company’s history. Take, for example, Twitterific, which was created before Twitter even had its own native iOS app. Not only was it a prominent third-party client, Twitterific is also credited with several ‘firsts’ for the platform, including first use of the word ‘tweet,’ first use of a bird icon, first to show a character counter while typing a tweet, first to support replies and conversations, and more.

Despite the importance of third-party clients in shaping the Twitter we all know and love (to hate) today, developers feel insulted by how things have ended. Since third-party clients stopped working earlier this month, Twitter has largely avoided communicating with developers about what was going on, and even the sparse communications the company released were misleading.

Several developers have discontinued their apps and pulled (or are considering pulling) them from the App Store and Play Store. Others are promising refunds to customers, often at great personal cost to the developers.

Header image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Twitter Developer Agreement Via: Engadget, Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Apple says it now has 34 million developers

Apple has grown its developer community to 34 million.

This figure has increased from the 30 million registered developers Apple reported it provided tools to last year.

Apple CEO Tim Cook shared the detail at the WWDC 2022.

More to come…

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Mobile Syrup

Apple issues statement to developers, clarifying decision to remove older apps without updates

Barcelona, Spain – June 7, 2018: Logo of Apple Inc. on a Apple store. Apple is the multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California and sells consumer electronics products.

Apple is clarifying its decision to begin removing “outdated” apps from the App Store. The criteria surrounding this decision stem from the iPhone maker’s new policy. It requires developers to provide updates to their software every three years.

Following developer complaints last week, Apple now states in a press release that this is all a part of the app Store Improvements policy. Moving forward, the company now requires developers to provide consistent updates within a three-year window and hit a minimal download threshold. Failure to do so results in Apple issuing a notice that their software will be removed from the App Store.

“As part of the App Store Improvements process, developers of apps that have not been updated within the last three years and fail to meet a minimal download threshold — meaning the app has not been downloaded at all or extremely few times during a rolling 12 month period — receive an email notifying them that their app has been identified for possible removal from the App Store.”

A handful of developers came forward last week after receiving a notice regarding their app. Moitivoto developer Robert Kabwe received Apple’s App Store Improvement Notice, stating the game has “not been updated in a significant amount of time.” Likewise, Emilia Lazer-Walker reported receiving the same.

Both developers express their personal frustrations. In both cases, the developers believe their apps and games are in a finished state. Kabwe believes his game is “fully functioning” and has been for the last three years.

Of course, this also brings the conversation of software and game preservation into the fold. Apple confirms that any user who has already purchased a removed app will experience no interruptions. Though, if an app or game is in a working and complete state, users should be able to theoretically purchase and install it for years down the road. Additionally, Apple hasn’t clarified its threshold when claiming an “app has not been downloaded at all or extremely few times.”

At the time the first reports came through, Apple warned developers that they had 30 days to submit an update. Though, Apple now states that developers will be given up to 90 days to update their apps.

This new policy puts additional pressure on developers. Smaller indie teams may not have the time or budget to invest in additional updates to completed projects.

Image credit: Apple

Source: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Apple now lets developers register to use external web pages for subscriptions

Apple now lets developers of ‘reader’ apps apply for the ability to direct users to the web to manage their accounts and complete subscription purchases.

The change comes as part of a settlement with the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) from September 2021. However, despite the agreement being with the JFTC, Apple will apply the change globally.

As per a developer support page posted by Apple on March 30th (via Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman), developers with eligible apps can now apply for an entitlement to use external websites to handle subscriptions rather than using Apple’s in-app payment system. That system requires developers to pay a 15 or 30 percent cut of transactions to Apple and has been the core of most of the regulatory action and developer complaints against the company in recent months.

Of course, Apple’s new system has some restrictions. First, it’s only available for ‘reader’ apps, which confusingly, include things like Netflix and Spotify. Apple describes reader apps as apps that provide “one or more of the following digital content types — magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, or video — as the primary functionality of the app.”

Developers of readers apps then need to fill out this form requesting an ‘External Link Account Entitlement’ to add external linking to an app. Moreover, Apple lists several requirements to be eligible for the entitlement, which you can view below:

  • As the primary functionality of your app, provide one or more of the following digital content types; magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, or video.
  • Allow people to sign in to an account.
  • Allow people to access content or services previously purchased outside of the app when signed in, such as on your website.
  • Not offer in-app purchases on iOS or iPadOS while using the External Link Account Entitlement
  • Not facilitate real-time, person-to-person services (e.g., providing tutoring services, medical consultations, real estate tours, or fitness training).

On top of that, developers will need to configure the entitlement in Xcode, edit their ‘Info.plist’ file, and add an ‘in-app modal sheet’ with a warning for users that the app is taking them to a website to manage their account. Developers can find the full details here.

Overall, it’s good to see Apple finally opening up this functionality in the App Store, even if the process of adding external links is convoluted. It’s also a win for companies like Netflix and Spotify, who can now start adding direct links to their websites for users to sign-up.

It’s also worth noting this change comes after Google announced plans to test a ‘User Choice Billing’ system that would allow developers to offer alternate payment options in the Play Store. Spotify is so far one of the only ones signed on to test the pilot program.

Source: Apple Via: Mark Gurman (Twitter)

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Mobile Syrup

Developers got Windows 11 running on the original Surface Duo

They did it. They finally went and put Windows 11 on the original Surface Duo — and you can too.

Engineering student Gustave Monce and developer Simone Franco have put out a guide explaining how to install Windows 11 on a Surface Duo. But, it’s probably not something you want to do for a variety of reasons.

First, you’ll need at least a 128GB Surface Duo since you’ll have to dual-boot Windows 11 and Android — that gives you 64GB for both operating systems. Moreover, you’ll need a PC to actually boot Windows on the Duo. Otherwise, it just boots Android as usual.

Second, you’ll need to boot Windows 11 on ARM. If you’ve followed the Windows on ARM saga at all, you’ll know that it’s extremely limited, at least compared to x86 Windows.

Oh, and nothing works. Like, at all.

According to Neowin and The Verge, Windows 11 will boot on the Surface Duo, but touch controls, networking, cellular data, and the cameras all don’t function.

Finally, it’s worth noting that installing Windows 11 on a Surface Duo will likely void your warranty and could brick the device. In other words, don’t do it unless you know what you’re doing (and even if you do, proceed at your own risk).

Ultimately, seeing Windows 11 run on the Surface Duo amounts to a cool experiment more than anything. It’s both reminiscent of Microsoft’s old Windows mobile operating systems and dredges up memories of the Surface Neo, Microsoft’s Duo-like tablet that will likely never launch.

You can check out the guide to installing Windows 11 on the Surface Duo here.

Source: GitHub Via: Neowin, The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Government of Canada to fund developers who create software to address wildfire hazards

The Government of Canada has launched a challenge to offer small- and medium-sized Canadian businesses with funding for developers who tackle wildlife hazards.

Through its Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program, the government is tasking innovators to design solutions to aid communities that may be at risk for wildfires. Specifically, Natural Resources Canada is challenging businesses to develop software that can produce high-resolution vegetation mapping data, which can help predict, assess and mitigate fires. The government notes that there aren’t enough tools at present to process wildfire fuel attributes in a quick and cost-effective manner.

Businesses that win the challenge may receive up to $150,000 for research and development purchases. Those accepted into Phase 2 of the program, meanwhile, will be awarded up to $1 million to create a working prototype. The government says it will then work with these businesses to commercialize their work.

2021 was one of Canada’s most damaging fire seasons in years due to 6.224 fires and a total area burned of 4.18 million hectares. Therefore, the government is hoping that innovators can help prevent such incidents.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Mobile Syrup

Developers will need to update iPhone apps to take full advantage of 120Hz

It seems app developers will need to make some tweaks to take full advantage of the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max’s new 120Hz display.

According to iMore, Apple posted a developer article detailing that iPhone apps require a key added to a ‘.plist’ file to “unlock” 120Hz support.

The clarification came after some developers reported that scrolling in an app used 120Hz, but animations were capped at 60Hz. By adding the plist entry, apps can start taking advantage of the higher refresh rate.

Apple also noted that the iPad Pro doesn’t require this special configuration. While it isn’t entirely clear why, Engadget suggests it may be a limitation to help preserve iPhone battery life — the iPad wouldn’t need a similar limit since the larger battery would experience less of a hit from 120Hz.

Further, Apple also confirmed a fix was incoming for some apps ‘Core Animation’ animations. In short, the bug limited the speed for these apps, but a future iOS 15 update should remedy the issue.

Overall, if you’re one of the lucky ones out there with a brand-new iPhone 13 Pro and you notice some apps aren’t as smooth as others, it might be because developers haven’t updated the apps yet. As with all significant changes to iPhone displays, it may take time for developers to add support.

Those interested can view the full Apple developer article here.

Source: Apple Via: iMore, Engadget