Convener: Riley Testut (@rileytestut@mastodon.social) and Shane Gill (@shanegill.io@threads.net)

Participants who chose to record their names here:

• Adam Grushanm (@groosh@mastodon.social)
• Ryan Barrett (https://snarfed.org)
• Johannes Ernst (https://j12t.org)
• Cagan Mert Islek (@islekcaganmert.me)
• Emelia Smith (@thisismissem@hachyderm.io, @thisismissem.social)
• Anthony Zone (@ozoned@social.ozoned.net, ozoned@ozoned.net)
• Kirsten Lambertsen (@mizkirsten@mastodon.social)
• Anuj Ahooja (@quillmatiq.com, @quillmatiq@mastodon.social)

Website: https://altstore.io/

Notes

• Riley is giving an AltStore demo. Starts with download AltStore in the EU from their website.
• EU only right now, because that’s where the law requires it.
• Apple has removed some limitations in the types of apps that are permitted because they are allowed in AltStore (e.g. emulator, clipboard manager).
• AltStore is a native app for iOS that recieves app source links to install apps on iPhone.
• Every app developer who wants to distribute through AltStore hosts a JSON file at a URL (this is the app source link).
• https://explore.alt.store is AltStore’s federated Mastodon server, built on ActivityPub, which pulls from all the app sources that have opted-in. Mastodon is moderating this server.
• Note: Apple is currently technically reviewing every app available in AltStore. AltStore thinks it is helpful Apple is doing this for safety concerns.
• AltStore users can add apps to their list of sources in AltStore from https://explore.alt.store
• https://explore.alt.store in integrated into the “Browse” tab in AltStore.
• Riley and Shane want to integrate the replies functionality into more areas of the app, for example you could commnet on a app within AltStore the it will be federated out to the Fediverse.
• Other fediverse software could theoretically see apps in-line using an app source URL.
• AltStore users want to review a single list of all the AltStore apps. https://explore.alt.store helps users to do that, across the Fediverse. On discovery for example, on explore.alt.store you can review which posts are getting the most likes.
• AltStore is open source (AGPL licensed): https://github.com/altstoreio/AltStore
• Riley and Shane are aware of the review system being abused. They like the idea of a comment based review system.
• The business model is (1) offering an optional, direct payment system like IAP, taking a small % of that and (2) partnerships with developers. Still going to have our Patreon around.
• Note: most of Riley’s and Shane’s users are in Apple’s App Store in Delta.
• Normal users want to go to a website, outside of AltStore, to review the list of apps, so Riley and Shane couldn’t start with a custom server. Then from there, Riley and Shane want to build out additional custom functionality. Also, because they’re working with Mastadon who, for example, handle moderation, this is the approach at the moment. But want to work with the community to figure out the best way to do this, and opento other options. The end goal is an app store with social functionality.
• BridgyFed links are currently manually configured but want to automate that long term.
• Riley and Shane are interested in adding functionality for users to download PWAs through AltStore.
• Kirsten wants to add an indie music app player to AltStore.
• Riley and Shane want to make AltStore the home for Fediverse apps.
• Riley and Shane are hesitant to make the JSON’s files signed because mobile app developers are usually unfamilair with how to do this (and AltStore is about making it as easy as possible to distribute an app).