Logical Analysis Report

Key Focus

  • The vast majority of apps on iPhones can be installed only through the App Store, and Apple doesn't offer an official way to install software outside of the App Store using an installation file downloaded from the internet, a process called "sideloading."
    Apple says it restricts users to downloading apps from the App Store to preserve quality: Apple employees review every app to assure users that iPhone apps are free of malware, offensive content, and security holes
  • That didn't happen, and Testut told CNBC he wants Altstore to become a "legitimate store."
    AltStore arose out of a previous project: A Nintendo emulator so users could play Game Boy Advance games on their iPhones. After discussions with Apple's app review team, in which he got conflicting information about whether his app would be allowed on the App Store, he came up with a new way to "sideload" his app onto an iPhone.
    "Now that it's been about a year and I'm on their radar, they have changed some stuff in the last year that affected me, like they changed how authentication works with the servers," Testut said, but he "figured it out." In August, Altstore announced that it had been downloaded 1 million times.
    Testut works on the project full-time with Caroline Moore, his business partner

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High Level Topics

  • APPLE
  • SOFTWARE
  • APP_STORE
  • USERS

    • High Level Abstractions

  • APPLE(7, 0 Order)
  • ( APPLE )(7, 0 Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, APP_STORE )(4, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, USERS )(2, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, SOFTWARE )(3, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, WEB )(2, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, TESTUT )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, SHARMA )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, SERVICE )(2, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, MALWARE )(2, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, INTERNET )(2, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, GAMES )(2, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, DEVELOPERS )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • ( APPLE, ALTSTORE )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • SOFTWARE(3, 0 Order)
  • ( SOFTWARE )(3, 0 Order)  top
  • APP_STORE(4, 0 Order)
  • ( APP_STORE )(4, 0 Order)  top
  • USERS(6, 0 Order)
  • ( USERS )(6, 0 Order)  top
  • ( USERS, APP_STORE )(3, 1st Order)  top
  • ( USERS, SOFTWARE )(2, 1st Order)  top
  • ( USERS, TESTUT )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • ( USERS, ALTSTORE )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • ( USERS, USER )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • ( USERS, SERVICE )(2, 1st Order)  top
  • ( USERS, DEVELOPERS )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • ( USERS, AUGUST )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • ( USERS, TIMERS )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • ( USERS, SIDELOADED )(1, 1st Order)  top
  • ( USERS, SIDDARTH_SHARMA )(1, 1st Order)  top

    • References

    • ( APPLE )  top
    • ( APPLE, APP_STORE )  top
    • (Read more)   top The vast majority of apps on iPhones can be installed only through the App Store, and Apple doesn't offer an official way to install software outside of the App Store using an installation file downloaded from the internet, a process called "sideloading."
      Apple...
    • (Read more)   top
      The most popular way to run software programs like games on an iPhone without downloading them from the App Store are "mini-apps." They're small, lightweight software programs, and you load them from inside an iPhone app
    • (Read more)   topAfter discussions with Apple's app review team, in which he got conflicting information about whether his app would be allowed on the App Store, he came up with a new way to "sideload" his app onto an iPhone.
      "Now that it's been about a year and I'm on their radar, they have changed some stuff in the last year that...
    • (Read more)   top ... from developers" and the app looks like an app store, complete with a "GET" button similar to Apple's App Store -- moves that would likely invite scrutiny if it were to be launched on the App Store.
    • ( APPLE, USERS )  top
    • (Read more)   top
      Apple says it restricts users to downloading apps from the App Store to preserve quality: Apple employees review every app to assure users that iPhone apps are free of malware, offensive content, and security holes
    • (Read more)   top
      AltStore arose out of a previous project: A Nintendo emulator so users could play Game Boy Advance games on their iPhones. After discussions with Apple's app review team, in which he got conflicting information about whether his app would be allowed on the App Store,...
    • ( APPLE, SOFTWARE )  top
    • (Read more)   top
      Some of these approaches use Apple's own developer tools for making software. Others use an exception in Apple's App Store guidelines for distributing lightweight HTML apps.
      Fortnite make Epic Games is leading a revolt against Apple's App Store
    • (Read more)   top The vast majority of apps on iPhones can be installed only through the App Store, and Apple doesn't offer an official way to install software outside of the App Store using an installation file downloaded from the internet, a process called "sideloading."
      Apple says it restricts users to downloading apps from the App Store to...
    • (Read more)   topAirport is a proposed alternative app store that's seeking a wider audience for beta software, which needs a little more work before it's ready for everyone, although Apple may not approve it.
      If Epic's lawsuit prevails, and Apple is forced to support alternative app stores on the...
    • ( APPLE, WEB )  top
    • (Read more)   topUsers can either download Airport from TestFlight, or access the list of apps through a web site.
      AirPort is only a list of links. It doesn't host actual installation files. TestFlight app submissions are reviewed by Apple, so everything on the store has been reviewed by Apple.
      Airport's...
    • (Read more)   top
      Still, Sharma said that he is building up the web version of the service in case Apple doesn't allow the Airport app onto its store or removes it from TestFlight
    • ( APPLE, TESTUT )  top
    • (Read more)   top
      "Now that it's been about a year and I'm on their radar, they have changed some stuff in the last year that affected me, like they changed how authentication works with the servers," Testut said, but he "figured it out." In August, Altstore announced that it had been downloaded 1 million times.
      Testut works on the project full-time with Caroline Moore, his business partner
    • ( APPLE, SHARMA )  top
    • (Read more)   topEven though we're not violating any rules, and using Apple protocols and development pipelines, we are creating an index of unreleased apps so I can see them denying it for that reason itself," Sharma said.
      Still, Sharma said that he is building up the web version of the service in case Apple doesn't allow the Airport app onto its store or removes it from TestFlight
    • ( APPLE, SERVICE )  top
    • (Read more)   top
      Still, the current Airport service describes itself as "the best place to discover new apps from developers" and the app looks like an app store, complete with a "GET" button similar to Apple's App Store -- moves that...
    • (Read more)   top
      Still, Sharma said that he is building up the web version of the service in case Apple doesn't allow the Airport app onto its store or removes it from TestFlight
    • ( APPLE, MALWARE )  top
    • (Read more)   top
      Apple says it restricts users to downloading apps from the App Store to preserve quality: Apple employees review every app to assure users that iPhone apps are free of malware, offensive content, and security holes.
    • (Read more)   topIf you're installing files from around the internet, you don't have Apple's assurance that it's free from malware.
      When       Altstore first launched in September 2019, a lot of people told its creator, Riley Testut, that Apple would shut it down immediately
    • ( APPLE, INTERNET )  top
    • (Read more)   top ... of apps on iPhones can be installed only through the App Store, and Apple doesn't offer an official way to install software outside of the App Store using an installation file downloaded from the internet, a process called "sideloading."
      Apple says it restricts users to downloading apps from the App Store to preserve quality: Apple employees review every app to assure users that iPhone apps...
    • (Read more)   topIf you're installing files from around the internet, you don't have Apple's assurance that it's free from malware.
      When Altstore first launched in September 2019, a lot of people told its creator, Riley Testut, that Apple would shut...
    • ( APPLE, GAMES )  top
    • (Read more)   top
      The most popular way to run software programs like games on an iPhone without downloading them from the App Store are "mini-apps." They're small, lightweight software programs, and you load them from inside an iPhone app
    • (Read more)   top
      AltStore arose out of a previous project: A Nintendo emulator so users could play Game Boy Advance games on their iPhones. After discussions with Apple's app review team, in which he got conflicting information about whether his app would be allowed on the App Store, he came up with a new way to "sideload"...
    • ( APPLE, DEVELOPERS )  top
    • (Read more)   top ... feedback from lots of testers to improve their apps before release, co-creator Siddarth Sharma told CNBC. He and the other Airport co- creator, Jordan Singer, are trying to create a community for iOS developers, not an alternative app store living in a grey area.
      Still, the current Airport service describes itself as "the best place to discover new apps from developers" and the app looks like...
    • ( APPLE, ALTSTORE )  top
    • (Read more)   top
      When Altstore first launched in September 2019, a lot of people told its creator, Riley Testut, that Apple would shut it down immediately
    • ( SOFTWARE )  top
    • (Read more)   top... different ways to distribute apps and so-called "mini-apps" from third-party developers on an iPhone have emerged. Some of these approaches use Apple's own developer tools for making software. Others use an exception in Apple's App Store guidelines for distributing lightweight HTML apps. Fortnite make Epic Games is leading a revolt against Apple's App Store
    • (Read more)   top The vast majority of apps on iPhones can be installed only through the App Store, and Apple doesn't offer an official way to install software outside of the App Store using an installation file downloaded from the internet, a process called "sideloading." Apple says it restricts users to downloading apps from the App Store...
    • (Read more)   top Altstore, which came out in 2019, distributes apps that the App Store won't approve. Airport is a proposed alternative app store that's seeking a wider audience for beta software, which needs a little more work before it's ready for everyone, although Apple may not approve it. If Epic's lawsuit prevails, and Apple is forced to support alternative app stores on...
    • ( APP_STORE )  top
    • (Read more)   top... provide a preview of what the future marketplace for iPhone apps looks like. Mini-apps The most popular way to run software programs like games on an iPhone without downloading them from the App Store are "mini-apps." They're small, lightweight software programs, and you load them from inside an iPhone app
    • (Read more)   top ... App Clip: Users can scan a QR- code like image, or tap their phone against a configured sensor, or tap on a a link from the web. Apple declined to comment on the record for this story. But its App Store guidelines and related developer agreements ban apps that "download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps." But...
    • (Read more)   topAfter discussions with Apple's app review team, in which he got conflicting information about whether his app would be allowed on the App Store, he came up with a new way to "sideload" his app onto an iPhone. "Now that it's been about a year and I'm on their radar, they have changed some stuff in the last year that...
    • (Read more)   top... from developers" and the app looks like an app store, complete with a "GET" button similar to Apple's App Store -- moves that would likely invite scrutiny if it were to be launched on the App Store. But it's still tiny compared to the App Store, and the limit of 10,000 users per TestFlight app guarantees it will remain that way. In August, Singer said in a blog post that Airport had...
    • ( USERS )  top
    • ( USERS, APP_STORE )  top
    • (Read more)   topSee ( APPLE , APP_STORE )
    • (Read more)   top... from developers" and the app looks like an app store, complete with a "GET" button similar to Apple's App Store -- moves that would likely invite scrutiny if it were to be launched on the App Store. But it's still tiny compared to the App Store, and the limit of 10,000 users per TestFlight app guarantees it will remain that way.
      In August, Singer said in a blog post that Airport had 300...
    • ( USERS, SOFTWARE )  top
    • (Read more)   topSee ( APPLE , SOFTWARE )
    • (Read more)   top
      It uses TestFlight, which is an Apple service for testing software -- it allows software makers give access to pre-release apps to large groups of beta testers through a single link.
      Airport takes the TestFlight links from many different software makers and puts...
    • ( USERS, TESTUT )  top
    • (Read more)   topSee ( APPLE , TESTUT )
    • ( USERS, ALTSTORE )  top
    • (Read more)   topTestut said that it was a "tongue in cheek" response to the Apple-Epic legal battle, not a new app on Altstore, but he's open to the idea.
      "I would love that if Epic wanted us to host Fortnite," Testut said.
      Airport
      Airport, which launched in August, allows users to browse a list of...
    • ( USERS, USER )  top
    • (Read more)   top.Altstore requires the user to trust it, meaning it needs access to a user's Apple account and password
    • ( USERS, SERVICE )  top
    • (Read more)   top
      It uses TestFlight, which is an Apple service for testing software -- it allows software makers give access to pre-release apps to large groups of beta testers through a single link.
      Airport takes the TestFlight links from many different...
    • (Read more)   topSee ( APPLE , SERVICE )
    • ( USERS, DEVELOPERS )  top
    • (Read more)   topSee ( APPLE , DEVELOPERS )
    • ( USERS, AUGUST )  top
    • (Read more)   top
      Airport, which launched in August, allows users to browse a list of curated beta apps on iPhones.
      It uses TestFlight, which is an Apple service for testing software -- it allows software makers give access to pre-release apps to...
    • ( USERS, TIMERS )  top
    • (Read more)   topIt also automatically refreshes Apple-imposed timers that cause sideloaded apps to become unusable after 7 days. Users are also limited to 3 apps using this method because of an Apple restriction.
      This approach has other risks as well .Altstore...
    • ( USERS, SIDELOADED )  top
    • (Read more)   topIt also automatically refreshes Apple-imposed timers that cause sideloaded apps to become unusable after 7 days. Users are also limited to 3 apps using this method because of an Apple restriction.
      This approach has other risks as well .Altstore requires the user to trust...
    • ( USERS, SIDDARTH_SHARMA )  top
    • (Read more)   top
      Airport's focus is to give app makers feedback from lots of testers to improve their apps before release, co-creator Siddarth Sharma told CNBC. He and the other Airport co- creator, Jordan Singer, are trying to create a community for iOS developers, not an alternative app store living in a grey area.
      Still, the current...