Apple's Removal of AppGratis is Just the First Step

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Posted April 10, 2013 at 4:31pm by iClarified

Apple's removal of App Gratis from the App Store is just the first step in a broader enforcement action, reports AllThingsD. The company is apparently cracking down on app-discovery apps that violate Guidelines 2.25 and 5.6.

I’m told that Apple feels that these apps threaten the legitimacy of the App Store charts by providing a way for developers to spend their way to a high ranking. Apple did something similar in 2011, when it rejected a number of applications running incentivized app installs within their apps. The company also worries that such apps undermine the integrity of the App Store by cluttering it with alternative storefronts. As one source described it to me, some of these discovery apps create a scenario that’s similar to walking into Nordstrom and seeing a Walmart inside.

Unfortunately, this means that Apple's removal wasn't a misstep and it's unlikely the app will return to iOS with the same functionality. Also, if you use other app discovery applications those may soon get pulled as well.

Apple's Removal of AppGratis is Just the First Step

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budsal - April 11, 2013 at 2:26pm

is apple just trying to make it difficult to find free apps?

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f1982 - April 11, 2013 at 12:37pm

On the face of it, you could say it's bad for consumers, but it makes alot of sense to remove these apps. It literally creates store-fronts within store-fronts which fragments the app store. Apple has no control of these mini-markets within the Appstore, which isn't good for the customer experience. It's bad for developers because it spikes the market with inflated popularity for some apps, whilst making the app developer no money at all in the process for all those 'sales' at the Free pricepoint. It's true that Apple loses out as well with these apps, but the amount will be negligible, so I doubt that will be the driving factor in the decision. Removing these apps is a good thing for everyone in the long run.

Kelerama - April 11, 2013 at 8:05am

In my opinion it's just down to revenue, Apple obviously receive no money for a free app, and yes app's will receive higher downloads and ratings, but it's a great way to get the app's on show and to the masses. I've downloaded the odd thing, if some of the app's aren't upto scratch people can feed that back to the developer, so if it charged for people will be getting a better product.

DNA64 - April 10, 2013 at 9:10pm

Developers in the same boat as App Gratis should just move to Cydia &/or launch html 5 based versions of their apps if possible.

AppFree - April 10, 2013 at 7:11pm

Sorry folks, but Apple is completely right!

Joseph - April 10, 2013 at 8:17pm

Really? Please explain why you think they are right?? It don't make NO sense to me at all!

Joseph - April 10, 2013 at 5:15pm

Apple!! What do you care if we try and download our favorite apps while they are free! It's our choice and the Developers choice to do as they please when it comes to the costs of their apps!!

ePunisher - April 10, 2013 at 5:12pm

Thats wrong apple sucks on this one!

Me - April 10, 2013 at 4:39pm

Well that sucks!