The winds of change are blowing through the iPhone app landscape. In a move driven by regulatory pressure on Apple, the EU has opened the door to third-party app stores for the first time. This comes alongside the surprise appearance (and seemingly unchallenged presence) of another Nintendo emulator for iPhones.
A Crack in the App Store Wall
European iPhone users are now experiencing a new frontier: installing apps from outside the official App Store. This historic shift is thanks to AltStore, the first third-party app store to land in the EU. Billed as an “open-source, crowd-funded haven for indie developers,” AltStore offers a stark contrast to Apple’s walled garden approach.
While currently limited to just two apps, AltStore aims to attract a wider audience by promising developers a dream combination: free app distribution, seamless integration with crowdfunding platforms like Patreon, and a streamlined process that bypasses manual app reviews.
Of course, there’s a price for freedom. Unlike Apple’s App Store model, which takes a cut from sales, AltStore keeps the developer fees at bay but charges users a yearly subscription of €1.50 (around $1.60). If you’re an iPhone user residing in the EU, you can join this app store experiment by visiting their website.
Emulators Make a Comeback
Adding to the excitement, another Nintendo emulator called Delta has emerged for iPhones. Unlike its predecessor, which was swiftly pulled by its developer, Delta seems to have found a comfortable home on both AltStore and the official App Store. This wider availability means that iPhone users across the globe can now enjoy classic Nintendo games, and all for free.
This shift in Apple’s stance on emulators is likely a response to mounting scrutiny from regulators in the US and EU over its App Store practices, particularly restrictions on apps containing other apps (including retro games). However, a note of caution: while emulators themselves are legal, the legality of the games you play on them can be a grey area. Just like torrenting software, emulators are tools, and their use hinges on the legality of the content you access with them.
The future of game emulation on iPhones remains to be seen, but Delta’s presence on the official App Store suggests a potential softening of Apple’s stance. One thing is certain: the iPhone app landscape is undergoing a fascinating transformation, offering users more choice and developers more freedom.
