Is it allowed/valid to publish a news application as a newsstand app? An app being developed is basically a kind of news article aggregator across certain genres while also allowing users to share/favorite/filter content within the app. Since this seems and is in fact more like a regular table listing to webview detail display application instead of one's that display say magazines or pdf content for instance, i'm confused if it was ok to submit such an app as a newsstand app since it caters to a certain niche of news app users (client idea). The app content would be created and managed by the client organization so it wont just be a random feed grabber of stuff online. Also there wont be any subscriptions via IAP or usage of any newsstand stuff apart from marking the app as a newsstand app. Will this lead to rejection? Additionaly, newsstand apps get their newsstand display icons from the newly updated content (like periodically published magazines) while this app is more of a regular kind so i'm unaware how the icon display should/would happen or work? Any help & references to guidelines is appreciated.
From your app description I think this will definitely get rejected by Apple. Subscription availability, periodical (not more than quarterly) content are required as par Apple's guidelines to be a Newsstand app.
Subscription availability is required because background downloading via push notification makes sense only when user can purchase subscription for your periodical content. This will only make sure that user can opt-in that your app can download content in background via push notification.
This is from Apple's ios Program License Agreement. You can read it from your developer account and BTW you must have accepted this :)
3.5 You may offer in-app subscriptions for free in select territories using the In-App
Purchase API subject to the terms of this Schedule 1, provided that the Licensed Application is
Newsstand-enabled pursuant to section 3.7 below and You clearly and conspicuously disclose to
users the following information regarding Your in-app subscription:
• Title of publication or service
• Subscription may be discontinued at any time by removing app from device
• Links to Your Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
3.8 Licensed Applications offering subscription services under this Schedule 1 must be included in Apple’s Newsstand program provided
that, in addition to the requirements set forth in paragraphs 3.5,
3.6 and 3.7, You: • Enable the Licensed Application as a Newsstand app in the iTunes Connect tool • Authorize Apple to select “Newsstand” as
the Licensed Application’s secondary category • Utilize the In-App
Purchase API, include any additional code, and comply with any other
requirements as identified and updated from time to time in
Newsstand-related documentation found in the iOS developer library
and the iTunes Connect Developer Guide • Provide updated cover art
with each new issue • Confirm that the content of the Licensed
Application is a periodical (e.g., newspaper or magazine)
Related
I've been reading the documentation about google api services and it doesn't seem clear to me if I'm allowed to use flutter packages like youtube_player_flutter to display youtube videos in a flutter mobile app. I'm talking about a mobile app that you would distribute on google play or the app store.
I've made an app that only searches for and plays YouTube videos. It doesn't download any video/audio. My app just got rejected from Apple. This is the rejection message:
Jul 11, 2020 at 5:20 AM From Apple
5. 2.3 Legal: Intellectual Property - Audio/Video Downloading Guideline 5.2.3 - Legal
Your app contains content or features that may violate the rights of
one or more third parties. Specifically, your app provides potentially
unauthorized access to third-party audio or video streaming, catalogs,
and discovery services.
Your app and its contents should not infringe upon the rights of
another party. In the event your app infringes another party’s rights,
you are responsible for any liability to Apple because of a claim.
Next Steps
To resolve this issue, please attach documentary evidence in the App
Review Information section in App Store Connect evidencing that you
have all necessary rights or permissions to the third-party audio or
video streaming, catalogs, and discovery services in your app.
In accordance with section 3.2(f) of the Apple Developer Program
License Agreement, you acknowledge that submitting falsified or
fraudulent documentation can result in the termination of your Apple
Developer Program account and the removal of your apps from the App
Store. Once Legal has reviewed your documentation and confirms its
validity, we will proceed with the review of your app.
Resources
Review Guideline 5.2 Intellectual Property for more information about appropriate uses of third-party content and services on the App
Store
Review App Store Connect Help for more information on including notes in the App Review Information section of App Store Connect
Please see attached screenshot for details.
You can use youtube videos for only view purpose, can't download youtube videos in flutter app, otherwise google or apple reject your app.
it's not accepted by app store your application will get rejected
I have a requirement in my new iPhone application, where I have to made payment like paisapay (Ebay) does. can I open a web page where user can fill information related to payment and server will handle payment? This Transaction will be in secure manner (In standard way). is it possible? Apple will approve app?
If you are using this means to unlock functionality in the app after payment, it will be rejected else it's okay.
As per app review guidelines
11.1 Apps that unlock or enable additional features or functionality with mechanisms other than the App Store will be rejected
11.2 Apps utilizing a system other than the In App Purchase API (IAP) to purchase content, functionality, or services in an app will be
rejected
11.13 Apps that link to external mechanisms for purchases or subscriptions to be used in the app, such as a “buy” button that goes
to a web site to purchase a digital book, will be rejected
For more reference please read the latest App store review guidelines at https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/
maybe this might help you
http://www.zooz.com/
FYI: In accordance with Apple’s App Store Guidelines, ZooZ can be used without limitation for purchasing physical goods or goods and services used outside of the application.
I am in a development team debating whether we should process subscriptions for premium content
1) on our online community web site or
2) in our iPhone app via the In-app purchase feature.
The question we still have is:
If a member of our online site (registered member) downloads the iPhone app (as another way to interact with our online content) and decides to purchase the "Premium" features via the iPhone in-app purchase feature (unlocking new content on the iPhone app)
Can our servers then know that this member has upgraded via the app and in response unlock content on our web site, too?
The store sends the app a message whenever a user makes an in app purchase, so your app could react to the message by sending a message to your server. The question I would have is whether the contract with Apple would permit this, particularly if the user could buy the content on the web site without paying Apple and then access it through the app.
We have been asked by our client to develop an application that would enable redeeming gift codes that unlock additional content. The Application itself would not provide a way to purchase those codes.
It would work something like this -
1) a customer shops for groceries
2) when reciving the receipt/bill at the check-out the customer recieves a gift code.
3) entering this code in app unlocks additional premium content inaccessible otherwise.
The question is if this app would be approved by Apple?
In our opinion this model falls into the following point in Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines
11.14 Apps can read or play approved content (specifically magazines,
newspapers, books, audio, music, and video) that is subscribed to or
purchased outside of the app, as long as there is no button or
external link in the app to purchase the approved content. Apple will
not receive any portion of the revenues for approved content that is
subscribed to or purchased outside of the app
but on the other hand there's this point:
11.1 Apps that unlock or enable additional features or functionality
with mechanisms other than the App Store will be rejected
Have any of you know of application using similar business model?
We did something very similar for a major snack food company. The user entered EAN codes (the European equivalent of UPC codes) from the packaging to unlock different musical instruments from within the application. Apple did not reject the app and it is still for sale today.
Can iphone web apps be sold on appstore, without requiring user to do manual bookmark, etc?
Yes, you can create webapps and put them in the IStore under webapps
As per the page ...
To submit an iPhone web application, review the following guidelines, then log into the submission system using the Apple ID and password associated with your ADC membership.
You must be an Apple Developer Connection (ADC) Online, Select, or Premier member to participate in this program. If you are not a member, you can join for free and then return to this site to complete the submission process.
To be considered, you submission must meet the following guidelines:
You must agree to the iPhone Web
Application Submission Agreement for
all materials submitted for
consideration.
Your submission must conform to the
iPhone web development guidelines in
effect at the time of your
submission.
Your submission should have a
complete feature set (stable releases
and demos are preferred to beta
software).
Your submission (and the content
displayed in or through your
submission) must not violate or
infringe the intellectual property
rights (including trademark rights)
of others. You must either own all
rights to your submission and the
content displayed in or through the
submission or have written
authorization from the owner(s)
thereof.
You must provide at least one working
link to access your submission. By
submitting applications for
consideration to the iPhone Web
Application Submission page, you
understand your submission is subject
to review by Apple. Apple reserves
the right to omit, edit, or reject
submissions.
Just build a hybrid app. Hybrid wraps your html/css/javascript code in a native container which will give your app the ability to be distributed on an app store.
Technically, no. But you could potentially create a native iPhone app that just contains a UIWebView pointing to your mobile optimized site. I highly doubt Apple would approve this but I'm not positive.