Epic Games (Tim Sweeney, MacRumors, The Verge, TechCrunch):
In response to ongoing Digital Markets Act enforcement, Apple has significantly improved the process for installing alternative app stores from the web in the European Union with iOS 18.6 in July. They’ve reduced the install flow from 15 steps to 6, eliminating their former scare screen and its misleading message, and eliminated a dead-end that left the user stranded in iOS Settings. As a result, we’ve seen a stunning 60% decrease in player drop-off during attempts to install the Epic Games Store.
Prior to Apple’s update, around 65% of users attempting to install the Epic Games Store on iOS were thwarted by Apple’s deceptive design. After the update, the drop-off rate has gone from 65% down to around 25%, and continues on a downward trend as users upgrade to the new version of iOS.
For the first time, we are starting to see iOS users install the Epic Games Store with a success rate approaching Windows users and Apple’s own Mac users.
They have screenshots of the new and old iOS install flows, as well as the Android one, which remains at 12 steps. Epic still doesn’t like Apple’s business terms for App Marketplaces.
Previously:
Android Android App Antitrust App Marketplaces Business Digital Markets Act (DMA) Epic Games European Union iOS iOS 18 iOS 26
Modum (tweet):
The all-in-one iOS and macOS app that enhances App Store Connect, supercharging your app updates, localization, and ASO with AI-powered tools.
[…]
Using Helm is up to 12x faster than using the App Store Connect website.
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It’s easier than ever to respond using templates, translations, and AI assistance. Additionally, Helm will automatically translate the review and generate a quick pros and cons list, so you’ll know exactly what to work on next.
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Easily arrange & replace screenshots, auto-remove alpha channels, visionOS simulator support and Magic upload!
It’s $9.99/month or $49.99/year.
Helm 2.0:
The Launch List is one of our most used and loved features, as it gives users a quick overview of all the work they need to do before submitting their app. It also reduces friction with Apple’s services as you no longer need to keep trying to submit to see what’s missing.
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Along with Screenshots, we have also taken the opportunity to improve the experience of one of our most used features, TestFlight. This is still an ongoing effort, but we have already made some wins in stability and streamlining the user experience.
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More importantly, we didn’t just want to “support” iOS 26 and macOS 26. We wanted to rethink Helm for the new era of Apple’s platforms. The design system, the APIs, and the platform capabilities introduced in 26 have shaped how we approached this update. Starting fresh on the new baseline lets us focus on delivering the best possible experience without the complexity of maintaining older OS versions.
In fact, they’ve dropped support for previous OS versions.
Previously:
Artificial Intelligence Developer Tool iOS iOS 26 iOS App iTunes Connect Liquid Glass Localization Mac Mac App macOS Tahoe 26 Programming Screenshots TestFlight
Applause Group:
We’ve re-built Bartender from the ground up to be beautiful, performant, and reliable. Bartender has been a staple of Mac users for years, and that brought with it lots of old hacks & tricks. We’ve modernised everything, from the algorithms used to move your items, through to the design of the entire app.
The design seems to have been inspired by System Settings.
We’ve also brought our new movement system to Bartender 5, so you’ll get all the speed & reliability improvements for free on Sequoia. And yes, we’ve fixed the Apple menu bug.
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We’ve maintained a strict commitment to privacy throughout the new Bartender. We know that granting screen recording permissions can be intimidating, so we’ve maintained our policy of the app not sending anything anywhere. Your menu item images are stored in memory to show them in Bartender Bar or the layout screen, and they aren’t persisted. We’ve also reduced the amount of times Bartender has to capture the bar too, so you’ll see the purple dot even less. For people who don’t want this at all, you can re-arrange your items once, then disable screen recording permissions and use Bartender in a locked-down mode.
I saw lots of speculation that after the acquisition it would switch to a subscription, but the new version is still a regular purchase at $20 ($12 for upgrades) vs. $16 ($8) for Bartender 5.
Roustem Karimov reports high energy use.
Previously:
Mac Mac App macOS Tahoe 26 Menu Bar Privacy
Juli Clover:
Startup accelerator and venture capital firm Y Combinator (YC) today filed an amicus brief supporting Epic Games in Epic’s continued legal fight with Apple. Y Combinator says that Apple’s “anti-steering restraints” have long inhibited the growth and development of technology companies that monetize goods and services through apps.
The company calls on the court to deny Apple’s appeal and uphold the order that required Apple to change its App Store linking rules in the United States.
Juli Clover (Hacker News):
The court order that required Apple to collect no fees from developers who link to purchases outside of the App Store is unconstitutional, Apple said today in a reply brief directed at Epic Games and filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Apple argues that it has been stripped of its rights to be compensated for its intellectual property in a ruling that sets a dangerous precedent for all companies.
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Should the Ninth Circuit Court find the updated injunction lawful, Apple suggests that the recent Trump v. Casa Supreme Court ruling [PDF] needs to be considered. The ruling said courts do not have the authority to issue universal injunctions that are “broader than necessary to provide complete relief” to the plaintiffs in the case. Epic Games is the only plaintiff in the case, so Apple also argues that the injunction changing the App Store rules for all developers is too broad. Apple says that the injunction should be tailored to Epic and Epic’s interests alone.
Marcus Mendes:
The company also says that while the new injunction should be reversed because it relies on privileged documents (which we covered here)[…]
Previously:
Antitrust App Store Apple Epic Games External iOS Payments iOS iOS 26 Lawsuit Legal
