Apple Brings Its App Store To the Web (theverge.com) 15
Apple has officially launched a web-based version of its App Store that lets users browse apps across all Apple devices through a redesigned interface. "There's no way to download apps from the App Store on the web, however," notes The Verge. "Apple just gives you the option to share an app or open it directly inside the App Store installed on your device." From the report: Now, when you navigate to apps.apple.com, you'll see the revamped interface instead of a webpage that just contains information about the App Store. [...] Along with the ability to switch between listings of apps for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro, Apple Watch, and Apple TV, you can check out recommendations on the Today tab as well as sort apps by category, such as productivity, entertainment, adventure, and more. The new web-based App Store also serves as a portal where you can search for apps, too.
OK (Score:5, Insightful)
Slow news day, I guess.
Re: (Score:2)
If Linux is ported to WASM, why not XNU?
Turns out Google Play had a web interface since, like, forever.
Re: OK (Score:2)
Yeah, but Apple is distinctly anti-web, and Google isn't. Also, Google's web interface is quite functional, iirc.
Re: (Score:2)
It's still inferior to the Google Play Store. On Play you can actually install apps from the web, which is nice because you can install on multiple devices, and of course get the benefit of a much better and larger UI than your phone.
A couple of clicks and the app gets installed on your device a few seconds later.
What is the point? (Score:3)
So you can look, but not download anything.
You can open stuff that is already on your device.
Not real clear what the point or real world use case for this is.
What am I missing?
Personally, I think searching and finding something I want, and then having to do the same thing on my device and THEN download it would be obnoxious. Why not let you use this interface to push the app to your target device? Then it would at least have some marginal utility. Sort of.
Re: (Score:3)
I assume it is to tease people who do not have a compatible device? Hey look at these nice apps you can get if you buy an iPhone/iPad/Mac?
Re: (Score:2)
I think this may have something to do with their low end laptop that was recently revealed. Perhaps it is limited to installing applications in the app store? A way to bring more profit to a lower profit laptop.
Re: (Score:3)
Their app store already runs native on iOS and macOS. The web interface is mostly for browsing on non-Apple devices.
Re: (Score:2)
Why not let you use this interface to push the app to your target device? Then it would at least have some marginal utility. Sort of.
It is possible that that will be a next step. Google Play Store works that way.
Re: (Score:2)
Perhaps I missed it, but I looked and didn't find any way to log into an Apple ID account. If you could log into an account, this would be a way to get apps onto sunsetted iOS devices. The last time I had to do this, I had to install a specific iTunes version with the App Store (which required uninstalling current iTunes); being able to do it on a website would be a hugely more convenient method.
The use case is this: You have an older iOS device; say an iPad 3, and you want to install your favorite game.
Why ??? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Of your post?
Is this really new? (Score:2)
We've been able to access the Google Play Store for years, and download/install apps to the device of my choice. Is this functionality really not available for iPhone/iPad users?