Connect with us

Tech

Over 540,000 apps wiped from Apple App Store in Q3 reaching lowest number in 7 years

Published

2 years ago

on

The App Store remains a crucial segment in Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) business line; hence the number of applications on the platform has emerged as a critical metric to track. Over the years, the apps on the App Store have fluctuated marginally, but the recent quarter highlights an accelerated drop in apps. 

In particular, according to data acquired by Finbold, the number of apps in the Apple App Store hit a seven-year low during 2022 Q3 to stand at 1,642,759. The value represents a drop of 541,697 or 24.79% from the 2,184,456 registered during Q2 2022. The last time the number of apps was this low was during Q3 2015 at 1,672,271.

Elsewhere, regarding the number of apps on leading app stores globally as of Q3 2022, Google Play Store ranks top at 3,553,050 while App Store ranks second at 1,642,759. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) Appstore has the third highest number of applications at 483,328. 

Policy changes trigger a drop in App Store apps 

It is worth noting that removing apps from the App Store is a perennial practice initiated by Apple as part of maintaining quality on the platform. However, the recent spike in removed apps can be attributed to several decisions by the company to improve user experience. 

In this case, in April 2022, the company notified developers that it was rolling out a plan to remove old apps that had not been updated for some time. The directive saw developers directed to make updates within 30 days or risk removal from the platform. 

Previously, Apple had not set any timeline for removing apps, but the recent update stressed that cleaning the App Store is an ongoing process and will evaluate apps, removing apps that no longer function as planned, don’t adhere to reviewed guidelines, or need to be updated.

Notably, the policy has received a lot of criticism, with developers arguing that the old apps should continue to exist on the platform as long as they are still functional. For instance, gaming developers maintain that the apps should be treated as old video games that remain playable on consoles.

At the same time, in recent months, the App Store has become a center of controversy with reported scams and fraudulent applications existing on the platform. In this case, the company resorted to removing virus-scanning apps, app clones, and other low-quality apps cluttering the App Store, with Apple maintaining that the App Store offers a safe experience for users. 

Overall, removing apps aligns with Apple’s long-standing policy of curating the App Store to eliminate apps that routinely fail to adhere to set standards. 

App Store drop in revenue

Interestingly, the drop in the number of apps has also correlated with a period in which the App Store registered one of the significant declines in revenues during 2022 Q3. Notably, the revenue plunge was also witnessed from the gaming apps that are crucial to the store’s financial performance.

In the meantime, Apple continues to explore the App Store as a possible strategic source of revenue through some decisions that have been deemed unpopular, like increasing app purchases, in-app purchases, and subscriptions from the App Store.

Elsewhere, the App Store trails the Google Play Store in the number of applications driven by factors like a larger Android market than iOS devices. Also, developing Android apps is cheaper since developers do not need significant resources. At the same time, approval for publishing apps on the Play Store is less cumbersome.

App Store future outlook  

At the same time, the outlook of the App Store is likely to be impacted in the future, especially with regulators increasingly cracking down on the company’s market dominance. This is highlighted by a recent European antitrust law that aims to allow users to install software applications from third parties.

In general, the number of apps removed from the App Store will likely increase, especially with the company targeting specific sectors. For instance, Apple recently clarified its rules for apps affecting cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). For crypto exchanges, Apple’s policy indicates that the apps may facilitate transactions or transmissions of cryptocurrency on a regulated exchange. However, such apps can only be offered in regions with licensing and permission to operate a business.

The post Over 540,000 apps wiped from Apple App Store in Q3 reaching lowest number in 7 years appeared first on Finbold.

Related Topics:

Crypto Chain Wire specifically designed for crypto, NFT, DeFi and all other blockchain companies to provide them instant and effortless crypto news syndication services. CryptoChainWire is the best PR syndication platform for any blockchain startup looking to gain maximum media attention. Visit Us : https://www.cryptochainwire.com/ Contact Us: contact@cryptochainwire.com

Continue Reading

Tech

StarkWare’s Million-Dollar Vision: Scaling Bitcoin with Zero-Knowledge Technology

Published

6 months ago

on

June 5, 2024

By

TL;DR

  • StarkWare has announced an initiative to scale Bitcoin and Ethereum using zero-knowledge (ZK) technology, backed by a $1 million research fund. The initiative aligns with Satoshi Nakamoto’s vision of enabling everyday micropayments.
  • The Bitcoin community is considering a technical proposal known as OP_CAT. If approved, it could enable potential STARK scaling on the Bitcoin blockchain. StarkWare supports OP_CAT and describes it as “the safest path for Bitcoin to scale.”
  • StarkWare recently introduced a new scaling framework, ZKThreads, which could prevent trapped funds and enhance the scalability of decentralized applications.

StarkWare, a leading blockchain technology company, has announced a bold initiative to bring Bitcoin to the masses. Backed by a $1 million research fund, the company aims to use zero-knowledge (ZK) technology to scale Bitcoin and Ethereum simultaneously.

The initiative is centered around Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge (STARK) cryptography, a form of ZK technology. StarkWare’s announcement aligns with Satoshi Nakamoto’s vision of enabling everyday micropayments and creating a scalable solution to support global Bitcoin transactions.

StarkNet, a recognized permissionless and decentralized rollup for Ethereum, will serve as the cornerstone for the scaling solution of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Rollups function by consolidating hundreds of thousands of transactions off-chain, and then validating them on-chain at a significantly reduced cost.

StarkWare CEO and co-inventor of cheat-proof ZK cryptography, Eli Ben-Sasson, stated in a press release, “Bitcoin today is mighty, but still a fraction of what it can be.”

Boasting a valuation of $8 billion from its latest funding round, StarkNet declared that it initiated trials of zero-knowledge proofs on Bitcoin back in March. This followed their pledge to release their technology under an open-source license.

StarkWare’s Million-Dollar Vision: Scaling Bitcoin with Zero-Knowledge Technology

The Potential of OP_CAT

The Bitcoin community is currently considering a technical proposal known as OP_CAT. If approved, it could pave the way for potential STARK scaling on the BTC blockchain. Ben-Sasson expressed StarkWare’s support for OP_CAT, describing the OP_CAT Bitcoin soft fork as “the safest path for Bitcoin to scale.”

Introducing ZKThreads

This announcement follows StarkWare’s recent introduction of a new scaling framework, ZKThreads. Louis Guthmann, head of product/market strategy at StarkWare, believes that the framework can prevent trapped funds and enhance the scalability of decentralized applications, potentially preventing a recurrence of incidents like the FTX-Alameda collapse.

StarkWare’s ambitious plans demonstrate the potential of ZK technology to unlock and benefit Bitcoin and the broader blockchain community. As the company seeks to promote research into OP_CAT, the future of Bitcoin could be on the brink of a significant transformation.

The post StarkWare’s Million-Dollar Vision: Scaling Bitcoin with Zero-Knowledge Technology appeared first on The Cryptocurrency Post.

Continue Reading

Tech

New Features and Integration: Katana DEX Enhances User Experience on Ronin

Published

7 months ago

on

April 25, 2024

By

TL;DR

  1. Integration and Simplified User Interface: Katana DEX, Ronin’s decentralized exchange, has been integrated into Ronin Apps, centralizing various services on app.roninchain.com. This integration simplifies the user interface.
  2. Wrapped RON (wRON): Users can now wrap RON into Wrapped RON (wRON) directly from the Katana DEX and the Ronin Wallet. This update simplifies the wrapping process, enhancing security and convenience.
  3. Innovation Zone and Expansion: Katana plans to introduce the Innovation Zone, providing a safer space for users to access newer, more volatile tokens and opportunities for third-party builders to launch new tokens. Since its launch in 2021, Katana has supported liquidity for various game tokens.

Ronin’s decentralized exchange, Katana, has introduced significant updates to improve user experience and expand functionality. The platform, which allows users to swap, pool, and farm tokens, has now been integrated into Ronin Apps, centralizing various services on app.roninchain.com.

Simplified User Interface: The integration brings a simplified user interface, making it easier for new users to navigate the ecosystem. All functionalities, including swapping, pooling, farming, bridging, and staking, are now accessible from one location. This update eliminates the need to use separate platforms for different actions, streamlining the process for users.

Wrapped RON (wRON): Another key update is the ability to wrap RON into Wrapped RON (wRON) directly from the Katana DEX and the Ronin Wallet. wRON is essential for making offers on Mavis Market and participating in Ronin ERC20 token launches. The update simplifies the wrapping process, enhancing security and convenience.

The Innovative Features that Will Proppled Katana DEX to the Future

New Features and Integration: Katana DEX Enhances User Experience on Ronin

Legacy Website Redirection: The legacy Katana website will soon redirect users to app.roninchain.com, with the transition expected to be completed by May 7th, 2024. This change will unify the user experience across mobile and desktop browsers.

Innovation Zone: Looking ahead, Katana plans to introduce the Innovation Zone before the end of summer. This new feature will provide a safer space for users to access newer, more volatile tokens. It will also offer opportunities for third-party builders to launch new tokens and for users to create new liquidity pools.

Growth and Expansion: Since its launch in 2021, Katana has supported liquidity for various game tokens, including Pixels, Apeiron, and Play & Kollect. The integration with Ronin Apps is a strategic move to simplify user interactions and lay the foundation for further growth.

The updates to Katana DEX reflect Ronin’s commitment to enhancing user experience and fostering innovation within its network. As the platform continues to evolve, it promises to bring exciting new opportunities for users and developers alike.

The post New Features and Integration: Katana DEX Enhances User Experience on Ronin appeared first on The Cryptocurrency Post.

Continue Reading

Tech

Tether Unveils Official Recovery Tool Amidst Market Cap Milestone

Published

9 months ago

on

March 5, 2024

By

TL;DR

  1. Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has launched an official recovery tool to help users transfer their USDT holdings from unresponsive blockchains, ensuring continuous availability and safety of USDT.
  2. The recovery tool provides a user-friendly interface for verifying ownership and migrating USDT to supported blockchains, offering a simple solution for potential challenges within the blockchain network.
  3. Tether’s recovery tool works seamlessly with widely used browser extension wallets and hardware wallets such as Ledger and Trezor, reflecting the company’s commitment to user safety, service continuity, and cross-functionality.

Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has announced the launch of an official recovery tool. This tool is designed to help users transfer their USDT holdings from blockchains that are currently unresponsive. This move is part of Tether’s commitment to ensuring the continuous availability and safety of USDT for all its users worldwide.

The announcement comes at a time when USDT reached a significant market capitalization milestone of $100 billion on March 4th. This represents a notable growth of 9% year-to-date. The recovery tool offers a user-friendly interface for verifying ownership and migrating USDT to supported blockchains, thereby ensuring uninterrupted access to funds.

The recovery tool offers a simple remedy for potential challenges within the blockchain network, enabling users to transfer their USDT to a different blockchain that is supported. This aligns with Tether’s philosophy of maintaining the utility, security, and accessibility of USDT across multiple blockchains.

Tether’s Recovery Tool: Seamless Integration with Browser Extension Wallets

Tether Unveils Official Recovery Tool Amidst Market Cap Milestone

The recovery tool features a friendly interface that allows users to quickly verify their addresses on an unresponsive blockchain and choose a recipient address on an alternate supported blockchain. The tool can be used through web and command-line interfaces, catering to a variety of user preferences.

This system is designed to work seamlessly with widely used browser extension wallets and hardware wallets such as Ledger and Trezor, ensuring a secure and straightforward process. Tether prioritizes cross-functionality and ease of access, demonstrated by the availability of USDT on nearly 15 different blockchains, including but not limited to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, Tron, and Tezos.

The company conducts stringent due diligence before partnering with a new blockchain to evaluate potential risks and threats, reflecting its proactive approach to risk management and operational resilience. 

Tether’s development of the recovery tool underscores the company’s commitment to user safety and service continuity, particularly in emerging markets and developing countries where USDT is prevalent in daily financial transactions. 

The firm’s announcement underscores the importance of ensuring USDT’s availability and security in all conceivable situations, including those that affect the functioning of blockchains.

The post Tether Unveils Official Recovery Tool Amidst Market Cap Milestone appeared first on The Cryptocurrency Post.

Continue Reading

Trending