Finding a needle in a haystack
Makradar Technologies / / December 19, 2019
The number of App Store applications exceeded one million, and the search application is a serious test for both developers and reviewers, and for ordinary users. Remember what the most significant events occurred in the area of search applications over the past 2 years, and what is being done in this direction today, taken Blog AppLift.
Over the past two years there were a lot of talk about how Apple itself refers to this problem and attempts to third-party developers to solve it. Opinions vary, but there are probably three main points of view:
- John Pazkovski author AllThingsD, Believes that the Cupertino against any interference "from outside", because he wants to resolve the matter on their own, retaining its quality standard.
- Many sources believe that Apple will support application developers on App Store search to find the most close to the ideal solution, but retain the right to remove those applications that they, for whatever reasons, do not like.
- The third view is that the company's strategy on this issue just yet. Suffice razmyvchataya wording, however, it is appropriate to explain Apple contradictory actions in this direction.
We're not going to give a definite answer to the question "What does Apple?", But rather try to look at how the process has changed search application last two years, it is being done in this direction now and imagine the possible scenarios in future.
The first significant event was the purchase of Apple CHOMP startup in early 2012. The main feature of the search engine Chomp was the fact that it allows you to search applications by their function, not by name. At the time, the purchase of Chomp looked like part of a big plan for large-scale renovation of the standard App Store search.
Unfortunately, no real effect, we have not seen from this absorption, but the fact remains - in the Apple recall that the search application needs to improve.
entry rules 2.25 It has led to "civil unrest" - developers and journalists could not clearly interpret this Apple move.
Was there a rule 2.25 a ban on any attempt to create a third-party search engine applications? Not really. The phrase "copying or imitating the App Store work principle" applies only to the current application as follows:
- Catalogs applications, which offer users a list of the selected application developers in the manner of App Store.
- The so-called App Boosters, application advertising gullible users to costly applications.
Let's look at two applications, whose "public execution" rule 2.25 was the most notable:
The first was quite popular AppShopper, in many respects similar to the original directory App Store. His work was halted after only a few months after the release rule 2.25.
But the most controversial was AppGratis closing. His "thrown" from the AppStore just a few days after AppGratis approval for the iPad, and a few months before the event app creator, Simon Dawlat, in an interview said that "today is open to third-party developers than ever opportunities. "
Heated discussion erupted, and such reputable sources as the AllThingsD, where it was written that it is - "just the beginning of a tough policy in the App Store". But they were wrong - output AppShopper Social (the new version of App Shopper, where the focus was on the exchange of recommendations between users) and AppCurious partially defuse the situation.
However, it should be noted that many of the applications in the App Store search is not long enough to receive updates that could mean that Apple simply does not allow developers to let them out. For example, Appoday: Free App Deal of the Day It was last updated in fervale 2013, while earlier it happened at least once every 4 months. App of the Day - last update March 2013, while on Google Play has been updated in June. Free App Magic It has not been updated since the end of 2012, and the version of Google Play - with August 2013.
The situation today
iOS 7 is already on most of the devices on iOS. On the one hand, the order of the search results has changed and is now largely based on the "quality" factors (Eg, how long users keep the application on your device), which makes the search more effective. On the other hand, Genius for the App Store has been removed, that brings us back to the question of how Apple refers to third-party developers?
Assurances that Android "is rapidly closing the gap in income with iOS" is still in doubt, but it is clear that Apple will have to fight for his leadership position. This implies not only the exclusivity and high quality applications, but also allow users to easily find them.
Google has never shown much interest in this area, but in the Play Store app recently published search engine from third-party developers. Quixey can seriously change the application search process for Android for the better, and, of course, has no analogues in the iOS.
Despite reports that Apple will expand the rights of paragraph 2.25 of the "possibility of using applications or to recommend share applications to find them, "so far we have not seen this law" in action "- AppShopper Social and AppCurious still work.
Veracity has been called into question and the outlet AppXChange. This application by ICS Mobile is fully focused on the recommendations, which users communicate with each other. Given that the last update of ICS Mobile applications FreeAppADayIt was still in fervale, we can say that the future of search engines is based on the opinion of the users themselves.
What to expect next?
Anyone who wants to offer something in the field of search applications must be careful to avoid similarity to what has already been proposed.
Banal catalog of the type of "Editor's Choice" or another clone "app of the day" is unlikely to be successful. Connection "sociality" to share best practices seems a good idea, especially if the implementation does not frighten. But, of course, Apple does not want anyone to become a serious player than the App Store, as we know it. The most logical solution would be something quite different - for example, like a news ticker ToucharcadeWhere the emphasis is on the content and reviews made by the editors.
Of course, today is too early to make an accurate conclusion on iOS application future of search. If only we could look into the future, you would see there are incredible and amazing solutions that no one has yet come in the head. Now we can only suggest and discuss what has been done.
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And what applications are using to search for you? And what would you like to see in this area in the future? Share your opinion in the comments.
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