It's been coming under increasing pressure over 'accidental' In-App Purchases (IAP), especially in kid-focused games such as Capcom's Smurfs' Village, and now Apple has moved to address the issue as part of its iOS 4.3 update.
Although not mentioned as part of its official press release, the OS has a new feature that requires your iTunes' password to be inputted separately for the download or purchase of apps, and the purchase of IAP.
The standard 15 minute log-in period remains in force for each action.
Different strokes
It had been rumoured that Apple was going to decrease the length of the log-in period to try to solve the issue, but splitting the download or purchase of an app, and an in-app purchase is a more elegant solution to the problem in which parents download content, and hand their iDevice to their children, who 'buy' in-game items without realising the consequences.
"We are proud to have industry-leading parental controls with iOS," said Trudy Muller, an Apple spokeswoman, according to the Washington Post.
"With iOS 4.3, in addition to a password being required to purchase an app on the App Store, a re-entry of your password is now required when making an in-app purchase."
[source: Washington Post]
News
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
Top Stories
News
12 hours, 49 minutes ago
Fortis team boosted by top ex-King, PopCap EA, Microsoft and Warner Bros. Games talent
News
Apr 18th, 2024
UK skills crisis prompts call for games industry-led body to tackle key challenges
News
Apr 18th, 2024
AI joins the team at King: "Our challenge is to create the right amount of challenge"
News
Apr 17th, 2024
Monopoly GO! celebrates its first birthday and shares its behind-the-scenes story
Feature
Apr 15th, 2024
46 top mobile games in soft launch: CSR 3, Plants vs. Zombies 3, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, Candy Crush Blast, and more
Feature
Apr 15th, 2024
Hot Five: XCOM Legends’ rumoured shutdown, Squad Busters verges on soft launch, and Royal Match reaches $3 billion
Events
HIT Games Conference Istanbul 2024 | Apr 18th | |
Game Job Fair – Spring Edition 2024 | Nordic | Apr 18th |
Arts DAO Fest 2.0 | Middle East | Apr 20th |
App Promotion Summit London | Europe | Apr 25th |
Esports Future Summit | Middle East | Apr 27th |
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th |