Saturday, June 4, 2016

iOS 9 Beta Restricting Beta Testers To Post App Reviews

As per the latest restriction from Apple, beta testers can no longer post their reviews related to a specific app, on the App Store. By implementing this restriction, Apple wanted to make sure that no Internet bugs can hamper the App Store security, or individual app security for that matter, because of a pre-released unfinished version exposing vulnerability to outside attacks. 

Unlike previous iOS versions, iOS 9 did not make a debut as a beta release meant specifically for developers. In fact, this time a wider audience segment was targeted, allowing for more people to use the app, through a public beta release for the first time in the history of Apple. Although public beta release, establishes more stability than a mere developer build, the company wanted to ensure security against any kind of compatibility issues, because of a wider audience reach this time. 

A negative first hand user experience, has the potential of an overall pessimistic impact when the actual OS releases. Beta versions are more prone to crashes, behave anonymously, or even let the OS hang. As of now, the ability to leave across star ratings is still intact. These changes appear to take place on the server side, and they are right now limited to only full point beta versions i.e. iOS 9 public beta. This means that beta testers still using iOS 8.4.1 will be able to post their reviews, if in case it is not possible to do on iOS 9 beta. 

The changes will be highlighted in all the pre-released versions shortly. Nevertheless, until we see the final release of iOS 9, beta testers will be refrained from posting the feedback about a particular app, on the App Store. It will be interesting to see what will be the impact of this security move on the iPhone application development and the apps present in the App Store, because of most iPhone users opting for iOS 9 in the pre-release version. Meanwhile, iOS 8.4.1 users will play a crucial role, in defining the positives and negatives of an app, ultimately deciding their App Store presence & fate.