Cellular app developer Kosta Eleftheriou has a brand new calling that goes past software program improvement: taking over what he sees as a rampant rip-off downside ruining the integrity of Apple’s App Retailer.
Eleftheriou, who created the profitable Apple Watch keyboard app FlickType, has for the final two weeks been publicly criticizing Apple for lax enforcement of its App Retailer guidelines which have allowed rip-off apps, in addition to apps that clone widespread software program from different builders, to run rampant. These apps take pleasure in prime billing within the iPhone market, all due to glowing opinions and sterling five-star scores which are largely fabricated, he says.
I’ve been saying it for ten years: the applying retailer mannequin is essentially damaged, as a result of the proprietor of the applying retailer advantages from folks gaming and dishonest the system. On this case, Apple income from each rip-off software or subscription bought, and because the App Retailer constitutes an enormous a part of Apple’s all-important providers income, Apple has no incentive to actually deal with points like this.
Right here’s what going to occur, based mostly on my immutable sample recognition abilities: there might be extra press outcry over this developer’s particular situation till Apple ultimately sends out a public apology assertion and sort-of addresses this particular situation. American tech media – that are deeply embedded in Apple’s ecosystem and rely upon being Apple’s good graces – will reward Apple, and declare the state of affairs has been resolved.
And some weeks or months later, one other developer suffers from the identical or comparable points, rinse, repeat.
The issue isn’t particular person App Retailer guidelines or App Retailer reviewers having a foul day – the paradigm itself is essentially damaged, and till the tech business and us as customers come to phrases with that, these repetitive tales will maintain popping up, fake press outrage and all.