App news round up

If there is one thing that’s certain in the app business, it’s that developments never stop and new innovations, designs and technologies are continually being pushed out. We know that it’s important for everyone who has a mobile app development business to keep their finger on the pulse of the biggest and most noteable stories so we’re rounding up some of the key news stories from the last couple of weeks…

Google closes NEST

Google has officially shuttered its NEST app on Apple Watch and Wear OS after admitting that user uptake and use was poor. The search engine took the decision to kill off the app after realising that very few people were actually actively using the app.

The NEST app for Android and iOS lives on so those keen to stay in touch with their smart home and control things like the house thermostat when away from their property still can.

The search engine says that not having the smart watch version of NEST to maintain will allow it to spend more time developing other experiences and high quality apps.

Apple reinstates parental control app

Apple has pulled the plug on its tensions with the parental control app, OurPact and granted it a return to the App Store. The app was taken down earlier this year after privacy concerns were cited but it is no back up and available for download. Apple removed over half of its most popular parental control apps due to privacy and security risks – the apps use Mobile Device Management technology to run which in theory, could allow unauthorised third parties access to the device.

The decision to remove 11 of its 17 most popular parental control apps landed Apple in a lot of hot water with many criticising the firm for taking down rivals to its own control feature, Screen Time. Not all of the other apps removed at the same time as OurPact have been reinstated to the App Store.

Apple targets China with app accelerator

Apple has launched a new programme in China to help Chinese developers improve their app skills. Based in Shanghai, the accelerator seeks to upskill app developers and help them improve their iOS designs. Apple is looking to extend its presence in the country, a nation which homes 2.5 million app developers according to Apple figures and brings in around 15% of Apple’s worldwide revenue.

Thousands of Apps cheating Android privacy settings

Research has revealed that thousands of Android apps are illicitly tracking users even after the app is told it doesn’t have permission to do so. The study, which was revealed at PrivacyCon2019 says the problem comes when apps share data, so refusing one app permission and granting another could still yield data that the first app can use. The problem is said to impact thousands of apps including those from large brand names which have been downloaded millions of times. They appear to have SDKs in common.