Apple Sweetens App Store for Bitter Developers

Apple Inc. has been under fire for issues surrounding the App Store, the section of iTunes where iPhone users can download third-party applications for their popular handsets. On Monday Apple unveiled new tweaks meant to address some of the latest complaints from developers as to the unfair placement of the applications on offer.

For one, applications now will be listed in the order of when they are originally posted to the store, regardless of whether they have been updated. Before, if an application was refreshed, it would appear at the top of the store’s list. Some developers have accused others of exploiting this with bogus updates geared only to keep their apps at the top of the list.

Apple also has made it impossible for reviews to be posted by anyone other than a person who actually has downloaded the application; this prevents developers from hyping their own work or flaming that of others.

The changes might be welcome, but still don’t go far enough to mollify all the development concerns out there. Apple has banned some applications — notably a podcasting service that would compete with a core iTunes functionality — and last week closed up a loophole that would allow that podcasting app to be sold using "Ad Hoc," an Apple beta testing distribution channel for iPhones. The Podcaster debacle has become somewhat of a cause celebre for developers calling for a more open access approach from Apple. The lack of open access also is seen as the reason for Apple’s slowness in getting apps approved and posted.

Another complaint getting traction in iPhoneland is the difficulty in locating relevant applications or quality applications among the explosion of offerings in the store. Better search and qualification functionality would be useful, developers say.

With Google’s new device going commercial in October with an open market applications strategy, Apple might have to address these complaints one way or another, sooner rather than later.

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