![App Store, iMessage & iCloud all seeing outages and issues right now [Updated]](https://www.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/iphone-12-pro-max-12-1280x720.jpg)
Apple is currently experiencing outages of the App Store and issues with iMessage, iCloud, and other services, the company has confirmed. The problems have seen some users unable to access the App Store and Mac App Store altogether, while the two download stores are still available but much slower to respond than normal for others.
Apple is both famous and infamous for its stringent quality control over its app stores but some developers, not just Epic Games, have always criticized its sometimes incomprehensible policies that are applied inconsistently depending on the app. Valve has learned that the hard way years ago when it first launched the Steam Link app for iOS. While that has been resolved, it took two more years before the macOS version of the app finally makes its way to Apple's desktop platform.
This week Apple revealed their picks for best apps of the year 2020. This is what Apple calls their "App Store Best of 2020" and, unlike Google's very similar list, they've siphoned down the list to "15 of the amazing apps and games that inspired the world in 2020." Apple's list requires that apps and games are notable for their "positive cultural impact, helpfulness, and importance."
Adobe's Lightroom has found its way into the Mac App Store, offering subscription access to the popular photo editing and organization tool. It's the first software from Adobe's full-featured Photoshop family to find its way into Apple's official download store for macOS.
Microsoft Office apps have finally arrived in the Mac App Store, the company announced today. Microsoft had originally vowed to bring its Office software to the Mac App Store by the end of last year, but missed that original deadline by a few weeks. As of now, Mac owners can directly download Microsoft Office through Apple's software portal, but they'll need an Office 365 subscription for certain products.
Apple often boasts of its human curation of apps that go into its Mac and iOS App Stores as the best way to prevent the likes of Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal from happening. It also sings praises of the efficacy and accuracy of this method over automated systems like Google’s. Those arguments, however, may have just fallen flat on their faces when a number of popular, top-grossing apps on the Mac App Store have been reported to be behaving like spyware. Including those from a company that’s supposed to be protecting users from malware.
App stores are a convenient way to find great and presumably safe apps for devices. But even with a search function, looking for that perfect app is like searching for the metaphorical needle in a haystack. Apple has utilized its affiliate program to encourage web sites and writers to bring more users to its App Store with a little monetary incentive. Starting October, however, that will no longer be the case and some such news sites are fearful for their survival.
Apple has unveiled a totally redesigned Mac App Store arriving in macOS Mojave. The new App Store brings over some features you'll recognize from iOS, such as video previews for apps on the Mac version of the store for the first time. Apps are split into new sections, reviews are more prominent, and the company is even bringing tips directly to the store.
Apple's iTunes U, Mac App Store, Volume Purchase Program, iTunes Store, Apple TV, and App Store all had issues this afternoon. This came after Apple's morning event in Chicago in which the company revealed a new iPad with emphasis on school deployment. In other words, today the folks at Apple had a great morning, but a less-than-super afternoon.
An increasing number of Mac users are getting messages today when trying to open apps purchased from OS X's App Store that the software is "damaged" and can't be opened. It seems the issue started appearing as early as Wednesday evening, and can affect a range of popular apps, including Acorn, Tweetbot, 1Password, and Byword. As the error message states, users are getting around the issue by deleting and re-downloading the apps, but it doesn't seem to work for everyone.
Tweetbot 2.0 has hit the Mac App Store, bringing a significant refresh to the popular third-party Twitter client for OS X. Launched on the eve of WWDC 2015, which kicks off next week, Tweetbot 2.0 brings the app in line with Apple's flatter UI aesthetic as in OS X Yosemite, along with Retina display graphics support, and more flexibility in how columns and such can be arranged.
I have a question for you: how much do you think an independent Developer makes? Depends on their app, right? It also depends on how well word spreads about the app, pricing, and if it finds its way to media outlets or other curated sites. There are a lot of moving parts when considering the success of an indie Dev, but it’s a romantic notion. Some dedicated soul churning away in their home office, sweating over every last pixel and animation. Still, how much do you think they make?