It is not often that I log into the iTunes Connect App, but I decided to do so this morning and noticed a message on the app. "Starting March 20, 2019 iTunes Connect for iOS will no longer be available. To continue managing your content, use the iTunes Connect website." Before I delve into my thoughts, a brief history of the iTunes Connect app.

Brief History

There are a variety of different services that Apple provides to publishers, depending on the types of media that are published. Prior to 2008, a majority of iTunes users, including myself, were not aware of how items were added to the iTunes Store. In 2008 Apple unveiled the iTunes App Store, which allowed developers to submit their applications to the iTunes App Store.

On June 11th, 2010 Apple released a new iOS application that would allow authors, music publishers, movie publishers, and developers to manage their content, look at purchases of their apps, and get reports all from their iPhone or iPad. This had been the status quo until 2010. On June 4th, 2018 at their World Wide Developer Conference, Apple announced a brand new site for developers to manage all of their apps, titled App Store Connect. At the same time they also released a new iOS app, similarly named App Store Connect. When the app was released developers could no longer log in to iTunes Connect App.

My Thoughts

I cannot say that I am surprised that the App is going away. It has been neglected and not maintained. For instance, if you look at the screenshot above you will see that it does not take advantage of all of the screen sizes. The last update of the app was on June 21st, 2018. According to the release notes it "includes minor improvements". The update prior to that was October 31st, 2016.

It would have liked to have seen Apple improve the app, but my guess is that its usage significantly dropped after the introduction of App Store Connect, since developers has a newer and better maintained app that provided functionality that better suited the needs of developers, which are inherently more complex.

Along with dropping usage, the iTunes Connect website is responsive, so it will work on any iOS device via a web browser. The removal of the app also means that there is less to maintain and if more users are using the iTunes Connect website it is better to maintain that, because it will impact more users. Along with this, the iTunes Connect website has more functionality than the app.

If you have been following world news at all over the last two and half years, you have likely heard about the referendum that the United Kingdom voted for in 2016 to leave the European Union. Even though it has been a big news story it may not be easy to understand. Thankfully, there is a video by CGP Grey to explain the issue with why an agreement cannot be made easily.

There is also a footnote video that adds a bit more information. Both of the videos are worth watching to learn a bit about the struggles that the United Kingdom is having.

Today Apple sent out event invites for an event that they will be holding at the Steve Jobs Theater at 10:00 am on Monday, March 25th, 2019. The invite is titled "It's Showtime". As John Paczkowski of Buzzfeed stated, that it is the same tagline as the September 2006 event that showed off the original Apple TV.

According to Matthew Panzarino of Tech Crunch, the invite has an animation, which is shown below.

https://twitter.com/panzer/status/1105187595246395397

There have been some rumors of what might be shown at the event. I will make my predictions before the event. What predictions do you have for the March 25th event?

March 8th is set as International Women's Day, but Apple is celebrating the entire month of March. The first way that Apple will be doing this on the App Store by having the "App of the Day" highlighting an app founded, developed or led by a woman.

Along with highlighting stories of female developers, musicians, and artists, Apple is hoping to bring even more women into technology. One way that Apple is doing that is by partnering with Girls Who Code who will be using Apple's "Everyone Can Code" curriculum. With the curriculum 90,000 girls and the Girls Who Code facilitators can use Swift to help the students learn. Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives stated:

"Women have earned the opportunity to have our ideas shape the future. We’re excited to support Girls Who Code as they empower girls to be the developers and tech innovators of tomorrow."

In addition to working with Girls Who Code, Apple will also be holding over 60 sessions within their own stores. These session are all in a "Made By Women" series. Some of these sessions will be led by artists, musicians, photographers, app developers, scientists and entrepreneurs.

The sessions will be held in various stores including:

• Chicago
• Dubai
• Hong Kong
• Kyoto
• London
• Los Angeles
• Milan
• New York
• Paris
• San Francisco
• Singapore

Specifically for International's Women's Day, Apple will have an exclusive Activity badge, with accompanying stickers, by performing a walk, run, or wheelchair exercise of a mile or more on March 8th.

If you have been paying attention at all, it should be no surprise that there is a disproportionate number of males in technology. Hopefully with Apple highlighting women throughout the entire month of March, it may inspire some other women to get into technology.

Source: Apple