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Apple rules out PC emulators for iPhone
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A recent App Store guidelines change in iOS 17 has broughta number of retro gaming emulators to iPhoneand iPad.
However, if you’re waiting for PC game emulators to join the fray, you’re going to be out of luck.
The news comes via a developer who said their attempt to launch the MS-DOS-based iDOS emulator was denied a place on the App Store. That’s because, Apple argued, it isn’t emulating a retro console.
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The application was made two months ago, but the developer Chaoji Li confirmed the review process has ended and the outcome was not successful
On theirpersonal blog, they wrote (viaArs Technica): “They have decided that iDOS is not a retro game console, so the new rule is not applicable. They suggested I make changes and resubmit for review, but when I asked what changes I should make to be compliant, they had no idea, nor when I asked what a retro game console is. It’s still the same old unreasonable answer along the line of “we know it when we see it.””
The developer was trying to get this passed thanks to the revision to section 4.7 of the App Store guidelines, which took place in April.
Applewrote: “Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games.”
However, because the PC isn’t a retro “console” Apple is saying no. So, the chances of turning your iPhone into a retro Steam Deck have been extinguished for now.
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Chris Smith is a freelance technology journalist for a host of UK tech publications, including Trusted Reviews. He’s based in South Florida, USA. …
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Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
