Apple opens App Store for legacy game emulators – Apple

Apple is easing restrictions on the App Store with the decision to allow emulators of older titles access to its digital marketplace. Tech giant It announced on Friday that these apps may now be available Through the international application store, which provides the addresses that work through it. Apple notes that these addresses must comply with “all applicable laws,” which means it will block apps that provide access to pirated addresses.

This development may allow emulators already available for Android devices –At least those who left– Transfer their apps to iPhone. Emulators have until now been banned on iOS, leading iPhone owners to look for ways to get around the ban, through jailbreaking or other techniques. Meanwhile, this is one of the main reasons, so far, why EU iPhone owners are turning to alternative digital markets, as this is now allowed in EU territory. A policy change by Apple could prevent such a development.

In addition to the terms of use for emulators, Apple has also updated the rules for apps like WeChat. Now, it's stipulated that mini-games and individual apps included in these complex apps must use HTML5, specifying that they cannot be native apps and games.

This change appears to be a response to legal action taken by the US government, which accused Apple of trying to kill cloud gaming applications and those that integrate other applications. Apple recently started allowing cloud gaming services like Xbox and GeForce in the App Store.

Outside the United States, Apple appears to be responding in this way to pressure from the European Commission. In a re-update of its terms of use, the company said it will now allow music player apps in the European Union to contain links that direct users to stores outside the App Store, in addition to listing pricing information on a case-by-case basis. . It will also allow app creators to “invite users to enter their email address for the express purpose of sending a link to the app creator's website to purchase digital music content or services.”

Earlier, the Commission had described the terms of use imposed by Apple to prevent this process as “illegal”, so Spotify tried to update its application with links to its website to purchase subscriptions, but Apple did not agree to the changes for weeks. Spotify remains unhappy with Apple's recent changes, with the tech giant still planning to charge fees for purchases made via external links, despite EU Commissioner Marget Vestager saying Apple should allow apps to communicate “freely” with their users. .

“Following the law is not optional, but Apple continues to defy the ruling,” Spotify spokeswoman Jane Moran told The Verge. “As of April 6, the Commission has the power to initiate a non-compliance process and impose daily fines. It is time to take decisive action to give all consumers, once and for all, real choices.”