iTunes Store problems affect developers

The troubles surrounding Apple's iTunes Store are affecting iPhone application developers. Two main issues are dominating discussions on developer boards: the app-update notification system for iTunes and iPhone/iPod Touch is falsely notifying users to update apps that are current, and the sort function for "Release Date" is not adding the newest apps. Developers are also finding that their new, accepted apps are not appearing in the App Store at all.

From MacFixIt user Ethan:

"The sort by Release Date on phone and iPods isn't working, but it is on iTunes. Many developers have been calling Apple to complain, but the problem still isn't fixed.
Most developers are seeing that when they get an app approved for update, or a brand new app, it's not appearing in the App Store at all."

Developer Discussion threads describing the issues involved can be found here:

iPhonedevsdk forum thread 1
iPhonedevsdk forum thread 2
MacRumors forum thread

Potential Fixes

MacRumors Forum user willpwilliams quotes a response from Apple regarding the update notification problem (Apple's App Store system receives updates from developers and then notifies users who have downloaded the Apps):

"On a lighter note, there have been more and more customer's reporting this problem with their apps and Apple is looking into fixing the problem with the developers, however, for now, and as instructed before, we are recommending this fix of deleting all Apps and re-downloading. This will in a sense, update the updates. (I know that's funny to say, but it's true.) Doing this, will prevent the updates from popping up continuously."

Users have responded both that this action works and also that it does not seem to fix the issues regarding update notifications. Apple is continuing to work with developers and its own system to address these problems. Some users are reporting the update errors are getting better while others are reporting it may, in fact, be getting worse.

Experiencing Problems? Have Feedback? Let us know!

Resources