This Week in Apps: Instagram, Elon Musk, and Google Play Updates

The Ever-Evolving App Landscape: A Weekly Recap

Welcome to This Week in Apps, your regular source for the latest developments in mobile operating systems, applications, and the broader app economy. The mobile world continues its expansion, achieving a remarkable 218 billion downloads and $143 billion in global consumer spending during 2020.

Android users alone dedicated an astounding 3.5 trillion minutes to app usage last year. Furthermore, app engagement has surpassed traditional television viewing in the U.S., with the average American now spending four hours daily on mobile devices, compared to 3.7 hours watching live TV.

Apps represent not only a source of entertainment but also a significant business opportunity. Companies prioritizing mobile platforms demonstrated a combined valuation of $544 billion in 2019, a figure 6.5 times greater than those without a mobile focus. Investment in mobile companies reached $73 billion in 2020, marking a 27% year-over-year increase.

Top Stories

Google Play Policy Updates

Recent news reveals Google Play’s decision to prohibit apps facilitating “sugar dating” arrangements – those where financial compensation is exchanged for sexual acts. This policy change takes effect on September 1, 2021, as clarified in updated terms of service.

Of greater interest to many Android developers is the unveiling of the user interface for the forthcoming Google Play safety section and associated app labels. These labels will mirror the “nutrition labels” recently introduced by Apple for its App Store, providing greater transparency regarding app data practices. Google is providing developers with a detailed timeline to prepare their privacy label submissions, with full compliance required by April 2022.

Developers will be required to disclose details regarding data encryption, adherence to the Google Play Families policy, user control over data sharing, third-party safety verification, and data deletion options upon app uninstall, among other aspects.

Apps failing to provide this information will be prevented from listing or updating.

Beyond the safety section, Google also reminded developers of upcoming technical changes to advertising IDs. When users opt out of interest-based advertising or personalization, their advertising ID will be replaced with a string of zeros. This change will be rolled out in phases, beginning with Android 12 devices in late 2021 and expanding to all Google Play-supported devices in early 2022.

Google will also test a new feature to inform developers and ad/analytics providers of user opt-out preferences and will prohibit linking persistent device identifiers to sensitive user data. Apps designed for children will be restricted from transmitting advertising IDs.

Another policy update involves the closure of dormant developer accounts. Accounts inactive or abandoned for a year will be closed, including those without any uploaded apps or Google Play Console access.

New requirements are also being implemented to govern the use of the AccessibilityService API and IsAccessibilityTool, ensuring the development of accessible experiences.

Apple Addresses Safari Concerns

In response to user feedback, Apple is actively addressing issues arising from recent Safari changes. A Share button has been reinstated to the tab bar, with additional controls placed under the menu. A reload button has also been returned to the tab bar, albeit in a smaller size, and a Reader Mode button will appear when available.

On iPad, Safari has reverted to the traditional separate row of tabs, abandoning the new compact experience.

Elon Musk Supports Epic Games

Elon Musk publicly sided with Epic Games in its antitrust lawsuit against Apple, tweeting that Apple’s App Store fees constitute “a de facto global tax on the Internet.” The lawsuit alleges that Apple abuses its platform power through its commission structure on apps and in-app purchases, particularly impacting large games like Fortnite, which arguably doesn’t rely on the App Store for discovery or marketing. The inability to sell to iOS users outside of the App Store is a key point of contention. Android allows sideloading of apps, offering an alternative. Musk’s involvement is notable, though currently, none of his companies are significantly impacted by Apple’s fees.

Weekly News

Other Platform Updates (Apple & Google)

Apple announced the discontinuation of support for numerous SiriKit intents and commands, potentially affecting major apps like Uber. Over 20 SiriKit intent domains will be deprecated in future OS releases.

Apple refined the controversial iOS 15 Safari changes in the latest beta releases (iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, beta 4). The initial redesign moved the tab bar to the bottom of the screen, a change that proved unpopular due to reduced accessibility of frequently used features like the reload button and Reader Mode.

Google launched version 1.0 of Jetpack Compose, its new native UI toolkit for Android, following a beta period since March. This toolkit integrates with existing Jetpack libraries and offers Material Design components and theming options. New features include Compose Preview and Deploy Preview, requiring Android Studio Arctic Fox.

Google also released the CarHardwareManager API via the Android for Cars App Library as part of Jetpack.

E-commerce Developments

Twitter initiated a U.S. e-commerce pilot program to assess consumer interest in online shopping within the platform. The test allows brands to feature a “Shop Module” with products on their Professional Profiles. Clicking the module directs users to the retailer’s website for transactions. Early participants include GameStop and Arden Cove. The current implementation is basic, lacking the integrated checkout experience offered by platforms like Instagram Shop and Shopify.

Fintech News

Robinhood completed its IPO this week, raising $2.1 billion at a $31.8 billion valuation. However, the stock price dropped 8% on its first day of trading. Robinhood currently has 21.3 million monthly active users.

PayPal announced that its “super app” is code-complete and ready for rollout during its second-quarter earnings call. The app will integrate features such as early direct deposit, check cashing, high-yield savings, budgeting tools, bill pay, crypto support, buy now, pay later options, mobile commerce, and person-to-person messaging.

Code within Apple’s Wallet app suggests that iOS 15 will require users to verify their identity with a selfie when adding a driver’s license or state ID.

Social Media Updates

Instagram announced significant changes to accounts of younger teens. Users under 16 (or 18 in certain regions, including the EU) will default to private accounts upon signup. Existing users under 16 will be prompted to switch to private accounts. New technology will reduce unwanted contact from adults, and advertising targeting of teenage audiences will be restricted. These changes aim to address regulatory concerns and demonstrate the company’s commitment to self-regulation.

Twitter updated its live audio platform, Twitter Spaces, to simplify sharing audio rooms with others. Users can now compose a tweet directly from the Space, linking to the room and including relevant hashtags. iOS users also received new guest management controls for hosts.

Snapchat resolved an outage that prevented users from logging in. The company advised users to manually update the app to resolve the issue.

Snapchat introduced “My Places,” a feature allowing users to log favorite locations, share them with friends, and receive recommendations. This differentiates Snap Map from utility-focused maps like Google Maps and Apple Maps by emphasizing personal recommendations from trusted contacts.

Instagram increased the maximum length of Reels videos to 60 seconds, aligning with platforms like YouTube Shorts and Snapchat Spotlight. TikTok is also extending video length, now supporting up to three minutes.

TikTok expanded its LIVE platform with new features, including co-hosting, Q&A sessions, moderation tools, and improved keyword filters. Viewers will benefit from new discovery tools and picture-in-picture mode. The co-host feature is currently being tested with support for multiple hosts.

Discord launched Threads, a feature designed to improve readability in busy servers. Messages can now be organized into threaded conversations with designated subject names, accessible via a new hashtag symbol.

Pinterest’s stock price dropped by over 12% following its second-quarter earnings report. While revenue and earnings per share exceeded expectations, user growth fell short of analyst projections. The company reported a 9% increase in monthly active users, reaching 454 million. Pinterest attributed the slowdown to COVID-related impacts.

Messaging App News

WhatsApp is testing support for higher image upload quality on iOS devices, offering options for auto, best quality, and data saver.

Streaming & Entertainment

Spotify’s Clubhouse clone, Greenroom, has experienced slow adoption. The app has been downloaded approximately 140,000 times on iOS and 100,000 times on Android. Spotify’s flagship streaming app boasts 365 million monthly active users.

Spotify reported a $23.6 million loss in its Q2 earnings, failing to meet its monthly active user forecast. However, it did achieve a 22% year-over-year increase in MAUs, reaching 365 million, and 20% growth in paying subscribers, totaling 165 million.

Spotify added a “What’s New” feed to its app, providing personalized updates on new releases and podcast episodes. This feature, utilizing a blue dot notification, aims to increase user engagement.

Apple’s GarageBand app now allows users to remix tracks from artists like Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga. New Producer Packs offer beats, loops, and instruments created by renowned producers.

Google TV’s mobile app was updated with new services and personalized recommendations. The app now features 16:9 widescreen movie and show posters and supports content from providers like Discovery+, Viki, and live TV services.

IMDb TV is now available as a standalone app on iOS and Android, expanding its reach beyond the IMDb app.

Gaming Updates

Epic Games announced another in-game event for Fortnite, called the “Rift Tour,” featuring a performance by a “record-breaking superstar.”

Health & Fitness

Facebook’s Oculus division is exploring integration with Apple’s Health app, allowing users to store Oculus Workouts data.

Productivity Tools

Usage of mobile video conferencing apps like Zoom increased by 150% in the first half of 2021. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet collectively saw a 21x increase in usage compared to the first half of 2019.

Google Voice’s app was updated with features such as reasons for missed calls, easy redialing, and the ability to display the Google Voice number as caller ID on iOS.

Edtech News

Language learning app Duolingo completed its U.S. IPO, raising $521 million. The company priced its shares above the marketed range.

Utilities

Amazon added an Alexa widget to the iOS homescreen, allowing users to issue voice commands directly from the widget.

Google Maps updated its iOS app with a homescreen widget, offering information like weather, traffic, and shortcuts to nearby locations.

Google is developing a “Switch to Android” app for iOS users to transfer data and apps.

Transportation

Parking app usage has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Browsing time increased by 57% year-over-year in July.

Moovit integrated Lime’s electric scooters, bikes, and mopeds into its transit-planning app.

Government & Policy

Tencent’s WeChat suspended new user registrations in China to comply with regulations.

China ordered Tencent and other developers to address issues with pop-ups and misleading content.

Security & Privacy

Apple released security patches for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS to address a zero-day vulnerability.

Google Play Protect performed poorly in an Android security test.

Funding and M&A

💰 Pendo, a product insights and analytics startup, raised $150 million at a $2.6 billion valuation.

🤝 Twitter “acqui-hired” the team from subscription news app Brief.

💰 Delivery app Gopuff confirmed a $1 billion fundraise at a $15 billion valuation.

💰 Indian travel app Ixigo raised $53 million, preparing for an IPO.

💰 Crypto wallet Valora raised $20 million in Series A funding.

💰 Crypto wallet Eco raised $60 million in new funding.

💰 Search API startup Algolia raised $150 million at a $2.25 billion valuation.

💰 Brain Technologies raised $50+ million for Natural, a natural language search engine.

💰 Messaging app Element raised $30 million in Series B funding.

💰 Indonesian grocery app HappyFresh raised $65 million in Series D funding.

💰 Indian D2C beauty brand MyGlamm raised $71.3 million in Series C financing.

Downloads

Nanogram

Developer Kosta Eleftheriou, known for his advocacy against app scams on the App Store, released Nanogram, a Telegram client for Apple Watch that functions without an iPhone connection.

Lightricks’ Videoleap for Android

Lightricks brought its popular iOS video editing app, Videoleap, to the Google Play Store, following a 70% year-over-year increase in iOS usage.

Tweets