App store alternative AltStore wants to come to more countries
More and more countries are allowing alternative software shops to Apple's iOS App Store. The AltStore project is ready for expansion.
AltStore on the iPhone: Apps that are only available here.
(Image: AltStore)
The creators behind the AltStore, which provides iPhones within the EU with software as an alternative to the iOS App Store, want to expand to other regions of the world as soon as possible. The team announced on Tuesday that they are pursuing the vision of a global app shop. According to this, there will be up to three new country variants this year, followed by at least one more—if not more.
Regulation of Apple in more and more countries
The approach is possible because Apple is not only confronted with regulations such as the Digital Markets Act in the European Union, which enforce alternative app distribution channels, but also in more and more other regions of the world. The AltStore makers expect the store to be opened in at least Brazil, Australia, and Japan by 2025—next year. A British version will then follow in 2026. However, Epic Games, the operator of the Epic Games Store, recently announced that it would be backing down in this regard due to less stringent regulation.
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The team has not yet provided any information on when the new AltStores will open. The creators called on the developer community to prepare for the imminent opening. The AltStore PAL, i.e., the EU version, can already be used by millions of customers. The creators also announced that they would turn the AltStore into a "Federated App Store" based on the Fediverse protocol to improve distribution. Customers should also be able to respond directly to apps on BlueSky, Mastodon, and Co. There is also a dedicated Mastodon server for this purpose.
Virtual machines and pornography
The old PAL store had pushed some boundaries as to what could and could not be used on iPhones. These included apps that can use virtual machines, as well as pornographic programs, which Apple has always prevented in the App Store.
In addition, the AltStore makers have implemented a self-publishing process that allows developers to distribute their apps free of charge without the intervention of the AltStore makers. Apple itself is not allowed to intervene in terms of content but does check for malware. Apple has not yet provided any information on when alternative app marketplaces will also open in the markets mentioned by the AltStore team.
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