Apple’s App Retailer will get a brand new internet interface

Apple has redesigned the online interface for its App Retailer, making it really usable for individuals who aren’t viewing the shop on Apple gadgets.

Earlier than this replace, customers may see particular person pages for apps on the internet — which they in all probability discovered through a search engine — however there was no solution to browse inside the App Retailer. On a Macbook, navigating to an app’s iOS retailer web page within the browser would immediate the native App Retailer software program to launch. However on non-Apple {hardware}, this could lead you to a lifeless finish.

The brand new interface permits customers to browse apps by class, in addition to by platform — there are separate sections for apps on the iPhone, iPad, Watch, and different gadgets. Whereas customers can not at the moment obtain apps from the online, this performance may probably be added in later.

Admittedly, the subset of people who find themselves attempting to be taught extra about iOS apps from a Microsoft gadget, for instance, is probably going a small one — maybe this could be helpful to app builders or researchers engaged on merchandise in each the iOS and Google ecosystems.

This redesign additionally signifies Apple’s continued push to painting itself as a extra open ecosystem. For years, governments round the world have lodged complaints in opposition to Apple, accusing the corporate of appearing as a monopoly to discourage competitors — any step Apple takes to make its merchandise extra accessible past its personal ecosystem is related to these ongoing authorized battles.