Apple Reverses Course on Ban for Apps Incentivizing Ad Watching, Social Sharing
Earlier this month, Apple began cracking down on some of the methods developers use to monetize their apps, rejecting some apps that offered rewards for viewing videos and sharing content on social networks.
Developers were understandably upset about this policy change, as offering opt-in ads in the form of rewards for video watching provided a way to generate revenue without significantly disrupting gameplay. Providing in-game currency, extra lives, or another incentive for watching an advertisement has become common in freemium games.
Apple now appears to have reversed course on its decision to reject apps for using these promotional methods, with TechCrunch noting that Apple has ceased rejecting apps for using incentivized ads and has changed its opinion on some previously rejected apps.
Now we’re hearing that things have changed.
Sources in the video ad industry have reported that app rejections related to this matter have now declined, indicating the policy is being rolled back.
We’re also hearing that some of the initial, and more worrisome, rejections are being undone — that is, the apps are being allowed back in the App Store.
While Apple is allowing developers to continue to offer an in-app reward for users who watch a video or post about an app on social media, the company is still rejecting apps that offer incentives to users for reviewing an app, rating an app, or downloading another app, as reviews and ratings can affect an app’s position on the Top Charts.
Manipulating the App Store charts is explicitly forbidden in Apple’s app guidelines under rule 3.10, which states that developers who attempt to “manipulate or cheat the user reviews or chart ranking in the App Store with fake or paid reviews or any other inappropriate methods” can be removed from the Developer program. Thus, under Apple’s new rules, developers appear to be able to allow users to watch ads for other apps, but are unable to encourage users to download those apps.
Basically, developers are fine to reward viewing video ads, whether for their own apps, those belonging to others, or brand ads, but they can’t reward anything that also has a direct download piece to it.
This change will likely be a relief to developers who rely on such incentives to promote their apps to a wider audience. iOS 8 is will also bring several changes to the App Store that will help increase app discovery, including an improved App Store search algorithm, an “Explore” feature that makes it easier to find apps, and app bundles that offer several apps together for a discounted price.
Apple TV gets ABC News, PBS Kids and a brand new Flickr app
You’d think that the steady stream of new Apple TV content would have slowed to a trickle by now, but nope — far from it. Apple has just delivered a handful of fresh channels that include the free ABC News service (not to be confused with the authentication-based WatchABC), PBS Kids and the cricket-focused Willow TV. Flickr’s app has also received a long, long overdue revamp (shown below) with a densely packed Explore section, an elaborate personal page and improved search. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the new AOL On channel — yes, you can now watch Engadget videos and other clips from our corporate overlords. Whatever content tickles your fancy, you just have to wake up your Apple TV to check it out.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Apple
Source: 9to5 Mac
Apple Confirms ‘MLB at Bat’ Support on CarPlay Website [iOS Blog]
Apple today updated the CarPlay section of its website, adding MLB At Bat to the official list of apps supported by the service. While support for MLB At Bat was demoed during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, its inclusion has gone largely under the radar.
As described by PCMag, the MLB At Bat app allows users to listen to a variety of radio stations that broadcast local games, streaming live games from the iPhone through the car’s speakers. Access to MLB At Bat on CarPlay will require a subscription, which is priced at $19.99 for the 2014 season or $2.99 per month.
First announced in March, CarPlay connects the iPhone to a car’s built-in display, giving drivers a hands-free way to access Maps, make phone calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music while staying focused on the road. CarPlay works with Siri and integrates with the car’s built-in controls and in-dash touchscreen.
In addition to MLB at Bat, CarPlay also includes support for several other apps like Podcasts, Beats Music, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and Stitcher, with support for additional apps coming in the future.
CarPlay will be available later this year in select 2014 car models from manufacturers like Ferarri, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. CarPlay will also be available on several aftermarket systems from Alpine and Pioneer.
Best Buy Selling New Entry-Level iMac for $830 With EDU Discount [Mac Blog]
Best Buy is now offering the new entry-level iMac for $979.99, a $120 discount off its standard price of $1099. Combined with the recent educational discount that takes an additional $150 off the price of Apple iMacs and MacBooks, the new iMac model can be purchased by qualifying customers for just $829.99.
While the $980 sale price is available to all customers until June 28, the extra $150 discount is part of Best Buy’s current College Student Deals that run until July 12. You need a valid .edu email address and must sign up at Best Buy’s website to be eligible for the extra student discount on all iMac and MacBook models.
The new entry-level 21.5-inch iMac includes a 1.4GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, a 500GB hard drive, 8GB of memory, and an Intel HD 5000 Graphics chip. The new iMac ships with the same ultra-low voltage Intel processor used in the current MacBook Air and scores similarly on benchmarks.
MacRumors is an affiliate partner of Best Buy.
ABC News Comes to Apple TV with Live and On-Demand Video, Local News, and Historical Footage [Updated]
ABC News is launching a new Apple TV channel today, bringing access to live and on-demand content to Apple’s set-top box. The channel offers a variety of news and entertainment offerings, including local news in select markets and access to five decades of historical footage from ABC’s archives. As with many of the recent channel additions to the Apple TV, ABC News is only available to users in the United States for the time being, although ABC says availability will expand worldwide “in the coming weeks”.
ABC News on Apple TV offers more choices for how, when and where to get the video content you want. Unlike other news offerings, ABC News provides a robust line-up of original and on-demand content and up to four live streaming events at once, allowing viewers to select and view the live news they care about most. From court trials and breaking news to the daily White House press briefing, live continuous coverage of the day’s top stories, videos and more are instantly accessible with ABC News on Apple TV.
Among the features on the new ABC News channel:
– 24/7 access to live and on-demand video with four separate live video streams to choose from.
– Video news updates on the hour and four to five live reports per day to cover breaking news.
– Local content from nine television stations around the United States: WABC (New York), KABC (Los Angeles), WLS (Chicago), WPVI (Philadelphia), KGO (San Francisco), KTRK (Houston), WTVD (Raleigh), KFSN (Fresno), and WISN (Milwaukee).
– Curated stories and videos highlighting the top news stories of the moment, updated throughout the day.
– 50 years of historical footage from ABC News’ archives, including “This Week in History” and “The Day in Pictures” features.
The Disney/ABC/ESPN media conglomerate has had a close relationship with Apple for a number of years, driven in large part by Disney’s acquisition of Pixar, which was owned by Steve Jobs. As a result of the transaction, Jobs became Disney’s largest individual shareholder and retained a seat on Disney’s board of directors.
The fruits of that relationship can be seen on Apple TV, which offers an existing Watch ABC channel, a trio of Disney television channels, a Watch ESPN channel, and three channels (A&E, Lifetime, History) from Disney/ABC’s joint venture with Hearst Corporation. Disney is also a part owner of the Hulu subscription service that is available on Apple TV.
Update 7:08 AM: In addition to ABC News, several other new channels have appeared on Apple TV today, including PBS Kids, AOL On, and Willow, a sports channel dedicated to international cricket.
iPhone 6 Interest Remains Strong as Consumers Look to Larger Displays
Demand for the next generation iPhone remains strong in the months before its expected fall debut, claims a report from RBC Capital Markets analysts. According to a 4,000 person survey conducted by RBC, half of consumers who plan to upgrade their phone in the next three months intend to buy an iPhone and a quarter of those would be willing to pay $100 more for their iPhone to have a 5.5-inch screen over the other rumored size of 4.7 inches.
Customers know about and are interested in the next iPhone, with 74 percent of survey respondents stating they are aware of Apple’s possible fall iPhone launch and fifty percent claiming they are interested in buying an iPhone for their next phone. Primarily, customers are looking for performance improvements and a large screen in their next iPhone handset.
While ~49% of smartphone purchasers are inclined to buy the next Apple product, we learned that the main driving factor for sales surround performance improvements (battery life 33%, processor 18%, camera 12%). In our view, these results are positive for AAPL, as we would not be surprised to see improvements to both battery life and processing speed with the iPhone 6. Finally, beyond performance improvements, we also learned that screen size could materially impact sales, as 23% of participants surveyed are inclined to purchase a larger screen iPhone.
These customers not only want a larger phone, they also are willing to pay for it, with more than one quarter of respondents willing to pay a $100 premium to buy a 5.5-inch iPhone for $299 instead of the current $199 for the 16GB iPhone 5s and presumably the 4.7-inch iPhone 6. This echoes an earlier report from Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt, who also says consumers are showing an increasing willingness to pay a $100 price premium for a larger device.
Analysts expect the next iPhone to cause iPhone sales to surge as consumers upgrade to the large-screened handset. This demand could translate into a 15 to 20 percent jump in unit sales, year over year, claims RBC. Besides the iPhone 6, Apple also is expected to unveil the iWatch and refresh its iPad lineup later this year in what Eddy Cue says is “the best product pipeline that I’ve seen in my 25 years at Apple.”
Apple Rejects Catcher’s 4.7-Inch iPhone 6 Casings Over Defects [iOS Blog]
In April, it was reported that Catcher Technology would be supplying Apple with metal casings for the iPhone 6. Now, China’s Economic Daily News (via Digitimes) reports that Apple has rejected Catcher’s iPhone 6 chassis, instead choosing to place short term orders with longtime supply partners Jabil and Foxconn.
Apple reportedly had issues with defects found in the connecting areas between the plastic and metal parts within the casings, which was caused by Catcher’s anodizing process. The issues with the casings may take 2-3 months to fix, which may require Apple to rely on other supply partners.
Apple’s 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is expected to go into mass production last month for a launch this fall. Reports have also suggested that Apple will also launch a larger, 5.5-inch version of the iPhone 6 at some point, with Bloomberg noting yesterday that Apple may launch both sizes of the device at the same time. In addition to a larger screen, the iPhone 6 is expected to include a thinner design, a faster A8 processor, an improved camera, and more.
Nest Announces Developer API, Integrates With Mercedes, Google, IFTTT and More [iOS Blog]
Nest Labs today announced the “Works with Nest” developer program, which allows its Nest Thermostat and Nest Protect products to connect to a number of services from the likes of Google, Mercedes Benz, Whirlpool, LIFX and more for enhanced smart-home functionalities.
For example, Nest integration with Jawbone’s UP24 band allows the smart thermostat to begin heating and cooling when a user wakes up, while the Nest Protect can connect with LIFX’s bulbs to warn users of smoke or carbon monoxide. The new program will also allow users to create custom situations with popular service IFTTT, connecting the products to over 100 other products and services.
The Wall Street Journal also notes the Nest Thermostat’s specific integration with Google’s services, which comes after Google bought Nest earlier this year:
The integration will allow those users to set the temperature of their homes with voice commands to a Google mobile app. It will also allow Google’s personal digital assistant, Google Now, to set the temperature automatically when it detects, using a smartphone’s location-tracking abilities, that a user is returning home.
Nest also stated that it will allow developers of garage door openers and similar automated appliances to access and utilize user information. However, Nest co-founder Matt Rogers noted users will have to opt in for their information to be shared with Google, making it a point to emphasize user privacy:
Most of the data that Nest will share – with Google and others – will focus on whether users are at home or not, as detected by sensors on the thermostat. When people link a home device and related account with Nest, the company will not share their email address, name or home address with other companies, Rogers said.
“We’re not becoming part of the greater Google machine,” he said.
The news comes as a number of developers are working on products under Apple’s new HomeKit initiative, which allows home automation devices and their apps to work with iOS services using a single, secure protocol. Companies currently lined up with Apple for HomeKit include iHome, Honeywell, Haier, Philips, Schlage, and Withings.
Last week, Nest Labs announced that it would be acquiring video-monitoring and security startup Dropcam for $555 million to further its smart home initiative. The company also restarted sales of its Nest protect app-enabled smoke detector last week after it was pulled from shelves over safety concerns.
12-Inch MacBook Air to Begin Production in 3rd Quarter 2014
Digitimes reports that Apple’s new 12″ MacBook Air will enter mass production in the 3rd quarter of 2014. Quanta Computer is reportedly responsible for the assembly of the new machine which falls in between the 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air lines. Their sources have not heard of any changes to the existing 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air models.
Digitimes’ sources were able to confirm some small internal changes to the machine, but the new MacBook Air is said to look similar to the existing models:
The 12-inch MacBook Air features some design changes such as the battery and the internal layout, while its industrial design will be similar to its existing counterparts using an unibody aluminum chassis, the sources detailed. Some market watchers expect the machine to feature a Retina display.
First word of a 12″ MacBook Air came from analyst Ming Kuo in October, 2013. Kuo described the new machine as thinner than the existing MacBook Air and that it would incorporate a Retina Display. A Chinese forum post from a user who had previously leaked accurate information added that the 12″ MacBook Air would feature a “new trackpad design” and would have no fan.
Previous rumors have predicted that the 12″ MacBook Air will be announced between Q3 and Q4 2014, so approximately September/October of this year.
4.7-Inch and 5.5-Inch iPhone 6 May Launch Simultaneously
Both the 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models are set to go into production next month, according to Bloomberg, and Apple may launch both sizes of the new device at the same time.
Apple is ramping up on two bigger-screen iPhones, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. One model will have a 4.7-inch screen that may be available to ship to retailers around September, said two of the people. A larger 5.5-inch version is also being prepared for manufacturing and may be available at the same time, the people said.
Previously, reports indicated that issues with battery life and display technology for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 may have caused Apple to delay the release of the larger version of the phone a couple months after the release of the 4.7-inch model. However, a report earlier this month said that Apple had solved the battery issues, though it wasn’t apparent whether the 5.5-inch model would launch at the same time as the 4.7-inch model.
Apple and its manufacturing partners have been ramping up for the launch of new iOS devices later this year, with Foxconn hiring a record new 100,000 employees to help assemble iPhone 6. Pegatron is also set to assist in the production of the new iPhones, with reports claiming Pegatron’s production share could be as little as 15% to as large as 50%.
Stock of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 is likely to be lower than the 4.7-inch model, mostly due to the more complex manufacturing of the phone and the need for an increase in production efficiency for the device before the manufacturing volume for it can be increased.
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