Stateside

Stateside: Apple will always put consumers ahead of developers...

...but is that such a bad thing?

Stateside: Apple will always put consumers ahead of developers...
Alaska-based Rob LeFebvre is editor of 148Apps.com, which was recently acquired by PocketGamer.biz publisher Steel Media.

As you'll have no doubt read on these pages, Apple has recently taken steps to clamp down on App Store scammers, restricting screenshot updates in a bid to stop unscrupulous devs tricking consumers into downloading their apps.

Essentially, dodgy developers have previously been able to create innocuous, light on features apps, submitting them to Apple before switching the screenshots post-approval to reflect a completely different game - typically a high-interest release such as Pokemon or Minecraft.

Naive buyers, deceived by the bogus screenshots, would purchase these apps only to find that they were not even remotely close to as advertised.

Indeed, this 'bait and switch' method appears to have deceived consumers aplenty, with several scammers having served up bogus apps in recent years.

Recent history

In February of last year, one scam developer launched a 'Pokemon Yellow' app onto the App Store, selling enough copies to generate a volume of complaints large enough for Apple to pull the app from sale – something it doesn't do all that regularly.

Another app that used this bait and switch approach was an outfit called Mooncraft.

As is popular, said developers used Minecraft screenshots to lure consumers in. While Apple reimbursed those consumers – and, indeed, others that have fallen foul of such scam apps - the legitimacy of the App Store is hurt by such practices.

Therefore, Apple made a change in its policies regarding screenshots and submitted apps, stating that app screenshots will be "locked in iTunes Connect once your app has been approved."

Apple continued, "New screenshots may be uploaded when you submit a binary for an update to an existing app or a new app."

Developers, however, did not embrace the move with open arms.

'Worrying'

"This is very worrying," posted one developer at news site YCombinator.

"Due to a small minority of scammers, the entire dev community is being made to pay…Essentially, this current implementation just wastes everyones time."

Another poster replied, "Basically, Apple is more interested in protecting their customers than they are about making developer lives easier. As a developer, that's annoying, as an Apple consumer the fact they're taking steps to block scammers is a net positive."

Developers also took to Pocket Gamer to vent their anger, but – ultimately - this move does two things for them.

Two birds, one stone

Firstly, it makes sure that they cannot switch out bogus screenshots.

This protects consumers from the initial practice, assuring that once an app has been approved, dodgy devs will not be able to fool them into purchasing their deceitful releases.

Secondly, it puts the onus of getting the correct screenshots ready on time on legitimate developers, who will need to make sure their images are the ones they want pre-approval.

A second binary update to change screenshots may seem like a bit much, but Apple seems more concerned with protecting its consumers, rather than making life easier for developers.

Forcing them to go through a second approval process will anger a few, but will ultimately will continue to protect Apple’s reputation as having a higher bar for quality apps, which – though self-serving – could be argued helps everyone, developer and consumer alike.
You can read an opposing view as to why Apple's lack of communication with developers may come back to bite in the future here.

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Dad. Mac head. Ukulele nerd. Gamer. Rob lives in Anchorage, Alaska, and commutes daily to the intarwebs to edit and write about iOS, Mac, books, and video games. He is currently employed as the editor at 148Apps, the best gosh-darn iPhone site this side of Mars, and contributes freelance to various other sites, including Cult of Mac and VentureBeat. Somehow he still finds time to play in a Disco band, raise two amazing kids, and hang on to his day job.