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

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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.

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Ledger Launches a New “Stax ” Wallet With iPod Creator: Here’s What to Know

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Ledger, a security-focused firm that develops cryptocurrency hardware wallets, has teamed with Tony Fadell–the designer behind Apple’s iPod–to offer an easier, more accessible option for people to safeguard their crypto assets: the Ledger Stax.

The tech design guru, Tony Fadell — who earlier co-founded the Nest smart thermostat before it was bought by Google in 2014 — is the inventor and mastermind behind Ledger Stax, crafted by the LAYER studio, led by Benjamin Hubert.

The credit card-sized touchscreen device allows users to manage over 500 digital assets, together with the ability to hold NFT collections and integrate with several Web3 apps through the Ledger Live app.

Ledger Stax: the Cool, Beautiful, and Fun Crypto Wallet

Ledger Stax™ is our new, breakthrough consumer device,” Ledger says. “It is built on Ledger’s secure architecture and introduces a unique form designed for unprecedented accessibility and interactivity with the world of cryptocurrencies and NFTs.”

The Ledger Stax uses Bluetooth to connect to the Ledger Live Mobile app on smartphones, and secure USB-C to connect to the Ledger Live app on laptops, according to the December 6 release. It also supports Qi wireless charging.

Regarding the battery, the manufacturer guaranteed users they may use the Stax for several weeks or even months on a single full charge. It features a battery-efficient E Ink and a Kindle-like display that can display owners’ NFTs even when the device is off.

Ledger Launches a New "Stax '' Wallet With iPod Creator: Here's What to Know

The curved E Ink spine shows what’s inside, like a book on a shelf, Ledger stated. Also, the touch interface enables the Ledger developer community to create innovative Web3 apps that are more accessible and secure than before.

Ledger Stax also contains built-in magnets that make it simple to stack, especially for those who have over one device.

The eight-year-old company is a market leader in crypto security, having sold millions of devices to customers in over 200 countries. The firm’s existing Nano series has sold 5 million units, and “none ever hacked,” according to CEO Pascal Gauthier.

Digging into Ledger’s proven security technology and trying all the ‘best’ hardware wallets out there convinced me to build a next-gen device with Pascal, Ian, and the amazing Ledger team,” says Tony Fadell.

Ledger Stax is not yet officially for sale, however, interested buyers can make reservations on Ledger’s website. The new wallet will be available in March 2023, but interested buyers may pre-order one for $279.

The Apple of the Cryptoverse

Tony Fadell creates products with both the circuit board and the billboard in mind, said Ian Rogers, chief experience officer at Ledger.

His goal is to make the company the Apple of the cryptocurrency industry, with the new wallet serving as its “crypto iPod.” Ian claimed that they have created a tool with the Ledger Stax that is cool, beautiful, and fun.

The post Ledger Launches a New “Stax ” Wallet With iPod Creator: Here’s What to Know appeared first on The Cryptocurrency Post.

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Polygon Partners with WMG to Launch Web3 Music Platform

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Polygon, a blockchain network developer, and Warner Music Group, a worldwide entertainment corporation, have announced a multiyear agreement with e-Commerce and interactive platform builder LGND to launch a Web3 music platform named LGND Music.

Artists that are signed to one of the labels owned by Warner Music Group will have the opportunity to release music NFTs via the platform.

The LGND firm has said that it would allow music NFTs from other platforms in addition to offering desktop and mobile applications for interacting with the NFTs. This will be similar to the experience that users get when using iTunes on Web3.

Users will be able to play their digital collectibles whenever they want and thanks to LGND Music, which is set to launch in January 2023 and is meant to be a music and collectibles platform that supports digital valuables from any blockchain in a proprietary player.

Additionally, content providers will have the ability to engage with their audiences via the use of unique material and carefully selected experiences.

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Polygon is being used as the foundation for the platform because of the cheaper gas expenses and quicker transaction speeds it provides.

Web3 Music is Rising

Web3 has the capacity to alter the music business for both musicians and fans. This unique alliance between Polygon, LGND, and WMG marks a great milestone for the music business.

As the manner in which we own music and consume it is changing, the music industry is adopting decentralized technologies and collectibles in their entirety.

According to Ryan Wyatt, Chief Executive Officer of Polygon Studios, the company is happy to be supporting this unique effort that will elevate music ownership and bring more music listeners and creators to Web3.

Web3 music platforms have the ability to cause a disruption in the music business as well as open up new doors for content producers and artists to develop new ideas and make money off of their work.

The integration of music into the Web3 ecosystem seems to have positive promise, and artists have, for some time now, been capitalizing on the capacity of non-fungible tokens to convert their fans into devoted communities.

The post Polygon Partners with WMG to Launch Web3 Music Platform appeared first on The Cryptocurrency Post.

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Animoca Brands to Invest Billions of Dollars in the Metaverse

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According to a report from Nikkei Asia on Wednesday, the co-founder of Animoca Brands, Yat Siu, stated in an interview that the company intends to establish a fund with a potential value of up to $2 billion to invest in businesses related to the metaverse.

The fund will focus on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain gaming. Siu said that the business currently has plans to form a fund that would be named Animoca Capital, with the fund’s maiden investment anticipated to take place in 2023.

In addition, the Hong Kong-based gaming software and venture capital platform is working toward the goal of making it possible for users to have access to Web3 businesses.

Siu said that Animoca’s proposed investment fund will assist the firm in advancing long-term objectives despite the turmoil that has persisted in the cryptocurrency market for the last year.

To provide more elaboration on Animoca’s planned long-term agenda, he indicated that the long-term goal for both Animoca and himself is to devise a method by which all of its employees may acquire digital property rights.

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He is holding out hope that this will also propel a situation in which the legal system would recognize digital property in the same way that it recognizes physical property.

Animoca’s Dedication to Web3

Animoca Brands has a strong commitment to the metaverse as well as web3. According to Robby Yung, the CEO of the firm, there is no such thing as a metaverse without Web3 since it is necessary to possess that transaction layer in order to provide interoperability between material and the ability to transport it from one location to another.

Animoca Brands is one of the original members of the Open Metaverse Alliance, which was established last month as a trade association with the mission of promoting interoperability standards inside the metaverse.

Because of these standards, NFT material that was purchased on one metaverse platform would be able to integrate without any problems with NFT content that was purchased on another metaverse platform; for instance, an NFT that was purchased on Decentraland may be utilized in The Sandbox.

The post Animoca Brands to Invest Billions of Dollars in the Metaverse appeared first on The Cryptocurrency Post.

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