Let’s talk about dating apps — and why they seem to be getting worse

image via qz.com
image via qz.com

This phenomenon, known as “swiping fatigue,” is the feeling of exhaustion that comes from what seems like endless swiping and disappointing attempts to find real connections. Since 2020, downloads for dating apps including Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble have been on the decline due to tired and dissatisfied users.

https://qz.com/dating-apps-tinder-bumble-technology-business-algorithm-1851752577

Apple Joins the Event Planner Game With Apple Invites

image c/o pcmag.com
image c/o pcmag.com

"With Apple Invites, an event comes to life from the moment the invitation is created, and users can share lasting memories even after they get together," says Brent Chiu-Watson, Apple’s senior director of Worldwide Product Marketing for Apps and iCloud. "Apple Invites brings together capabilities our users already know and love across iPhone, iCloud, and Apple Music, making it easy to plan special events."

https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-joins-the-event-planner-game-with-apple-invites

First porn app ‘approved’ for the iPhone in Europe. Apple isn’t happy.

image via mashable.com
image via mashable.com

"We are deeply concerned about the safety risks that hardcore porn apps of this type create for EU users, especially kids. This app and others like it will undermine consumer trust and confidence in our ecosystem that we have worked for more than a decade to make the best in the world. Contrary to the false statements made by the marketplace developer, we certainly do not approve of this app and would never offer it in our App Store. The truth is that we are required by the European Commission to allow it to be distributed by marketplace operators like AltStore and Epic who may not share our concerns for user safety," Apple said in a statement to The Verge.

https://mashable.com/article/first-porn-app-apple-app-store

Google Announces Play Store Tweaks to Entice More of Your Attention and Money

image via pcmag.com
image via pcmag.com

Android developers will get a few more ways to seek your attention and then virtually tug at your sleeve as you browse Google’s Play Store for new Android apps. The most eye-catching change among those Google announced today will be full-screen playback of app portrait videos. In a blog post, Paul Feng, Google Play VP of product management, notes the non-trivial upsides among app developers who tested this format: “+7% increase in total watch time, a +9% increase in video completion count, and a +5% increase in conversions."

https://www.pcmag.com/news/google-announces-play-store-tweaks-to-entice-more-of-your-attention-and

Apple gives developers a way to nominate their apps for editorial consideration on the App Store

image via techcrunch.com
image via techcrunch.com

App developers will have a new path for getting their apps recognized and promoted, Apple told developers at WWDC 2024 this week. In an update planned to arrive in September alongside the release of iOS 18, developers will be able to alert Apple’s Editorial team about their app’s new content or features ahead of its release to be considered for featuring on the App Store.

https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/13/apple-gives-developers-a-way-to-nominate-their-apps-for-editorial-consideration-on-the-app-store/

Discord opens up to games and apps embedded in its chat app

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

Discord will soon allow developers to build new games and apps that can be used directly in its chat app. A selection of minigames and apps have been available to Discord users for months now, but starting March 18th, all Discord developers will get access to a new Embedded App SDK that lets them build these special embedded apps.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/12/24098262/discord-embedded-apps-games-sdk-developers

Wunderlist’s creators are back with a nifty new to-do app

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

Wunderlist was both full of useful features and whimsical in a way few apps manage. Then, long story short, Microsoft bought it in 2015, morphed it into Microsoft To Do (a very good and much less delightful tasks app), and killed Wunderlist forever. But a group of the folks who made Wunderlist in the first place, led by co-founder Christian Reber, set out to bring its spirit back to life.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/13/24071136/superlist-tasks-app-wunderlist-productivity-tool