Apple Users in EU Gain New Option: Altstore PAL, First Approved Third-Party App Store

Altstore PAL is the first approved alternative app marketplace following Digital Markets Act ruling
Apple users in EU now have a new third-party app store option: Altstore PAL
Developers can self-host and promote their apps with no central directory of apps available
Installation process straightforward but Apple attempts to dissuade users from choosing competing app store multiple times during process
Priced at 1.50 euro (plus tax) per month with portion offsetting Apple's core technology fee
Users can add sources to expand app options and access paid apps using Patreon for monetization
Apple Users in EU Gain New Option: Altstore PAL, First Approved Third-Party App Store

Apple users in the European Union now have a new third-party app store option, Altstore PAL, which has been approved by Apple. This is the first time an alternative app marketplace has been allowed in the EU following the Digital Markets Act ruling that required Apple to enable users to install rival app stores on their devices. Altstore PAL is priced at 1.50 euro (plus tax) per month, with a portion offsetting Apple's core technology fee. The installation process is straightforward, although Apple attempts to dissuade users from choosing the competing app store multiple times during the process. Once installed, users can add sources to expand their app options and access paid apps that use Patreon for monetization. Altstore PAL allows developers to self-host and promote their apps, with no central directory of apps available. This marks a significant change in the digital market landscape in the EU as more third-party app stores are expected to follow.


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Confidence

95%

Doubts
  • Is there any potential for security concerns with using a third-party app store instead of the official App Store?

Sources

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Third-party iPhone app store AltStore PAL is now live in Europe

The Verge Thomas Ricker Wednesday, 17 April 2024 16:30
  • Unique Points
    • AltStore PAL, a third-party iOS app store, is now available in the European Union.
    • AltStore PAL integrates with Patreon for monetization and supports beta apps through crowd-sourced funding.
    • Delta is also available on Apple’s App Store outside Europe.
    • Now, with DMA compliance, Delta and Clip are getting a legitimate Apple notarized launch on the AltStore PAL app marketplace in the EU.
    • AltStore PAL is open to submissions from third-party developers and their apps will be self-hosted by developers on their own servers.
  • Accuracy
    • ]Apple's compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) enabled AltStore PAL’s launch.[
    • The store requires an annual subscription of €1.50 for installing the app marketplace itself.
    • Clip requires a minimum monthly Patreon pledge of €1.
    • AltStore, the platform behind AltStore PAL, has been around since 2019 but required a workaround for installation.
  • Deception (80%)
    The article contains editorializing and selective reporting. The author expresses his opinion that AltStore PAL is now possible due to Apple's compliance with the DMA, implying that it was previously impossible. He also highlights certain apps available on the store, Delta and Clip, without mentioning any potential drawbacks or controversies surrounding them. For example, he mentions that Clip is forbidden by Apple but does not explain why this is significant or discuss any potential risks associated with using such an app.
    • After we recently tested it in beta, the third-party iOS app store AltStore PAL is now live in the European Union thanks to Apple’s compliance with the region’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
    • Delta is free to help offset the CTF, but downloading Clip requires a minimum monthly Patreon pledge of €1 (plus tax).
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Apple Users in the EU Now Have a New Third-Party App Store to Play With

CNET Thursday, 18 April 2024 02:54
  • Unique Points
    • Apple users in the EU can now download and use Altstore PAL, the first third-party app store approved by Apple.
    • Altstore uses Apple’s new Web Distribution for easier app distribution in the EU.
    • Users can add ‘sources’ to Altstore, expanding their app options.
    • Altstore allows paid apps and uses Patreon for monetization, offsetting Apple’s core technology fee.
  • Accuracy
    • Altstore is the first third-party app store approved by Apple in the EU.
    • Altstore offers two apps: Clip, a clipboard manager, and Delta, a Nintendo console emulator.
    • Delta is free and was also released on the regular Apple App Store.
    • Users can add 'sources' to Altstore, expanding their app options.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

86%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

First Third-Party iOS App Store Launches in Europe

PCMag.com Michael Kan Thursday, 18 April 2024 02:56
  • Unique Points
    • The first third-party iOS app store, AltStore PAL, launched in the European Union after Apple was forced to open up its software ecosystem due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA)
    • AltStore is described as an Apple-approved alternative app marketplace in the EU by creator Riley Testut
    • AltStore targets indie software developers looking for a free way to distribute iOS apps
    • Testut created AltStore PAL as a way for iOS developers to ensure their apps get published even if they were rejected from the official iOS App Store
  • Accuracy
    • ]The first third-party iOS app store, AltStore PAL, launched in the European Union after Apple was forced to open up its software ecosystem due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA)[1]
    • AltStore is described as an Apple-approved alternative app marketplace in the EU by creator Riley Testut[1]
    • Users must pay an annual fee of €1.50 to install AltStore on their iPhone due to Apple’s Core Technology Fee (CTF)[2,3]
    • Apple requires third-party app stores in the EU to pay €0.50 for each first annual install per year over a 1 million threshold[2]
  • Deception (50%)
    The article by Michael Kan contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author only reports details that support the launch of AltStore PAL as a third-party iOS app store in Europe, while omitting information about Apple's controversial conditions. The author also uses emotional language to describe the struggles faced by indie developers when trying to get their apps approved on the official App Store, which manipulates readers' emotions and creates a sense of sympathy for these developers.
    • Although Delta will be free to users on AltStore, Testut requires anyone who installs AltStore on their iPhone to first pay a €1.50 annual fee.
    • My hope is that AltStore can pressure Apple into caring about indies more simply by being the best indie app marketplace it can be.
    • The first third-party iOS app store launched today in the European Union after Apple was forced to open up its software ecosystem to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains a few informal fallacies and an example of inflammatory rhetoric. It also uses direct quotes from the subject of the article which is not scored but mentioned in the ignore rules.
    • an Apple-approved alternative app marketplace in the EU
    • AltStore PAL describes itself as "an Apple-approved alternative app marketplace in the EU,"
    • Apple agreed to allow third-party vendors to offer their own iOS app stores in the region—but under strict and controversial conditions.
    • This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

AltStore Is Now Available in the EU

MacStories John Voorhees Thursday, 18 April 2024 02:57
  • Unique Points
    • Riley Testus, one of AltStore’s founders, launched AltStore PAL as an Apple-approved alternative app marketplace in the EU.
    • AltStore will eventually allow third-party apps; developers must self-host and promote their apps.
    • Signing into the EU Apple ID allows users to download AltStore, which then works even if they switch back to a US Apple ID.
  • Accuracy
    • AltStore is now available for iOS users in the EU.
    • AltStore PAL is an open-source app store designed to address issues with the App Store over the years, particularly App Review problems.
    • Delta is free, while Clip requires a small donation of €1 or more.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication