Feature Request: Require Developers to Post Detailed App Update Descriptions

[cwosigns]

I've been bitten a few times recently when the App Update comes in and it says, "Improvements and bug fixes" and the update actually is a regression or removal of functionality that was in the previous build. Case in point: Hulu removed their picture-in-picture support on the iOS version of the app, but the notes made no mention of that. I think that type of change is something that people should be made aware of, especially if they're paying for a service.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I agree with that.

If I am not mistaken, Apple set new policy not long ago, whereby developers would not be allowed to simply state bug fixes over and over. From what I have seen, that kind of thing is still very prevalent.

 

[C DM]

I've been bitten a few times recently when the App Update comes in and it says, "Improvements and bug fixes" and the update actually is a regression or removal of functionality that was in the previous build. Case in point: Hulu removed their picture-in-picture support on the iOS version of the app, but the notes made no mention of that. I think that type of change is something that people should be made aware of, especially if they're paying for a service.

There's a very similar discussion about this sort of thing from a few years ago (and here we are a few years later):

When will Apple crack down on generic app release notes?

I can't be the only one to find vague release notes grinding. It seems as soon as your company achieves market floatation you are exempt from writing precise release notes. It's endemic: Amazon: Facebook: Microsoft Word: Instagram: Messenger: And Spotify, Netflix, eBay... pretty much...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[C DM]

I agree with that.

If I am not mistaken, Apple set new policy not long ago, whereby developers would not be allowed to simply state bug fixes over and over. From what I have seen, that kind of thing is still very prevalent.

Hard to say if/how that is really being applied:

Apple is Tightening the Rules on 'What's New' Changelogs in App Store

Apple this week informed members of its Developer Program that it will be enforcing stricter rules for "What's New in This Version," the...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Apple_Robert]

Hard to say if/how that is really being applied:

Apple is Tightening the Rules on 'What's New' Changelogs in App Store

Apple this week informed members of its Developer Program that it will be enforcing stricter rules for "What's New in This Version," the...

www.macrumors.com

Thanks for finding that article, C DM. While not exactly the full measure I thought I had remembered but, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

 

[C DM]

Thanks for finding that article, C DM. While not exactly the full measure I thought I had remembered but, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

I remembered it slightly differently as well, more along the lines of how you recall it (based on what you mentioned). Unfortunately it doesn't seem like any of it has had that much of an effect of a variety if not many apps that tend to have rather generic release notes that are used pretty much repeatedly.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I remembered it slightly differently as well, more along the lines of how you recall it (based on what you mentioned). Unfortunately it doesn't seem like any of it has had that much of an effect of a variety if not many apps that tend to have rather generic release notes that are used pretty much repeatedly.

I agree. It appears the status quo of "big fixes" is being taken advantage of as long a possible. Apple needs to do better as well. They don't list all of the fixes in their releases.

 

[steve62388]

Check out the update history for Tripadvisor, they have never published anything useful in their notes. I have a theory on it... if I recall correctly Apple only lets apps ask for a rating once per update. Tripadvisor pushes out frequent updates with nothing in them so they can keep asking for ratings which I would presume affects its position on the charts.

It’s just a theory, but given how these companies use all sorts of methods to manipulate all sorts of things it wouldn’t surprise me.

 

[TheIntruder]

I'd love to see more detailed release notes as a rule, but they, and the new privacy labels, are based on the honor system, and as a practical matter, hard to enforce, given the multitudes of app submissions that need to be processed.

Apple's app review process seems to be at least partly, if not mostly, automated, and when the human factor becomes involved, can be opaque and inconsistent.

I'd bet the majority of users have automatic updates enabled, and for them, release notes never even enter their minds.

This can be an issue for all software, not just the App Store, and it's largely up to the developers how detailed they wish to make their change logs, with no universal hard and fast rules to apply. Version numbering is also in the same boat.