First third party App Store in the EU is live

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
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Following changes in iOS 17.4 and legislation allowing them, the first new alternative app store has launched in the EU, that promises to help distribute "indie" apps at a low-cost yearly fee.

Smartphone displaying AltStore app interface with text 'Sideload for everyone Europeans!' and a crossed out text indicating an error.
Image Credit: AltStore



On Wednesday, AltStore PAL announced that it is officially launching as an alternative to Apple's App Store in the European Union. It bills itself as an "open-source, crowd-funded app store for indies."

According to the developers, distributing apps via AltStore PAL is entirely free and developers are given the option to distribute to patrons via built-in Patreon integration. It also notes that there is no manual review process.

Europe's coolest alternative app marketplace is HERE!

Introducing AltStore PAL -- an Apple-approved version of AltStore exclusive to the EU

Download now from our website for just 1.50/year (+ VAT) https://t.co/3ZfYbq4QNU pic.twitter.com/D5cbkWhi7l

-- AltStore.io (@altstoreio)



At launch, AltStore PAL will have two apps: Delta and Clip. Delta is AltStore's all-in-one Nintendo emulator, which emulates NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 64 games, among others.

Clip is a clipboard manager for iOS that can run in the background indefinitely, listening for changes to the clipboard and saving clipped content for later use.

While the creator says any app is welcome on the platform, he believes that "AltStore makes the most sense for smaller, indie apps that otherwise couldn't exist due to App Store rules."

"There are countless examples of these that aren't allowed in the App Store for one reason or another; we just don't know about them because there's never been a distribution option for these poor apps."

Users interested in trying out AltStore PAL will need to pay 1.50 euros and additional VAT fees per year. It can be downloaded from the AltStore.io website.

Apple now allows alternative app stores in the European Union, a change it made in order to comply with the newly enacted Digital Market Act. Currently, alternative app markets will not work outside of the EU.



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lam92103

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    lam92103lam92103 Posts: 153member
    So jealous
    9secondkox2williamlondonVictorMortimer
     1Like 0Dislikes 2Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 10
    apple4thewinapple4thewin Posts: 422member
    lam92103 said:
    So jealous
    As of its release there is nothing too important on there and delta is free for all users in every market (instead of 1.50 euros a year for the EU)
    Spitbath9secondkox2williamlondonAlex1N40domiwatto_cobra
     6Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 10
    40domi40domi Posts: 138member
    In other words they're aiming for kids with unchecked malicious apps 😡
    Spitbath9secondkox2williamlondonAlex1NAUsernamewatto_cobrabeowulfschmidt
     7Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 10
    foregoneconclusionforegoneconclusion Posts: 2,969member
    LOL...an emulator and an app where you're crossing your fingers that it's only accessing the clipboard. 
    Spitbath9secondkox2Alex1NAUsername40domiwilliamlondonwatto_cobra
     7Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 10
    9secondkox29secondkox2 Posts: 3,347member
    The Trojan Horse has found it’s way inside the gates. 
    Alex1Niqatedo40domiwatto_cobra
     4Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 10
    VictorMortimervictormortimer Posts: 239
    I don't really want 3rd party app stores.

    I just want normal software installation, no app store needed, and no permission from mommy Apple needed.
    edited April 2024
    AllM
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 10
    AUsernameausername Posts: 9member
    “ Clip is a clipboard manager for iOS that can run in the background indefinitely, listening for changes to the clipboard ”

    Uh-huh. How about you have a wee think about that and see if there is a more important point that should be brought up in this article. 🤷‍♂️
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 8 of 10
    wonkothesanewonkothesane Posts: 1,745member
    I always wanted some 3rd party clipboard manager, that sees my bank account numbers, Passwortes, TANs, and all the other goodies. This 3rd party app stores will be so much fun, especially when you come from the relative sense of security you get in the Apple App Store!
    40domiAUsernamedanoxwilliamlondonwatto_cobra
     5Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 9 of 10
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 8,214member
    wonkothesane said:
    I always wanted some 3rd party clipboard manager, that sees my bank account numbers, Passwortes, TANs, and all the other goodies. This 3rd party app stores will be so much fun, especially when you come from the relative sense of security you get in the Apple App Store!
    'Relative sense of security' sounds like you're not too sold on the actual protections of the Apple App Store. 

    Third party app stores aren't the issue when it comes to security. Third party app stores could be far more secure than Apple's. It all depends on how good the screening processes are and even then, no store will give you absolute protection. 

    Yes, by the same token, they could also be less secure but that's when you realise that third party app stores aren't there for security. They are there for choice and competition. 

    It is we, the users, that will choose the store and we will assume the risks. Just as we do with the Apple App Store. 




    gatorguy
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 10 of 10
    humbug1873humbug1873 Posts: 194member
    The Trojan Horse Story is officially open. It's time we finally get all that malware not just the selection that slips through the big holed net of the Apple review process.
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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