Apple and The Curious Tale of Chicktionary

A couple years ago Apple released a new version of iTunes 12.7 that removed the ability to backup your iOS apps. So when you plug in your iPad mini or iPad Air and it backs up it now would skip apps only backup pictures, settings, messages, etc. (https://www.macobserver.com/news/product-news/itunes-12-7/)

This move is a major shift taking away user control and putting it in the hands of developers and Apple. Lets take a look at the iOS app Chicktionary. Chicktionary is a fun game that is still popular in education and younger grades like Kindergarten and first grade. The iOS app version at one time cost 2.99$ and worked great on iOS devices. Unfortunately Chicktionary’s app has since been pulled from the app store and since you can no longer download it…. the app has essentially become abandonware (although still available for android).

So if you backup your old device and go to restore it on another device you will find that this app simply dissapears. Not because it no longer works but because it is no longer listed on the App Store. The backup simply does not include the app but instead just a placeholder letting the system know it should try and download a new copy. But since its not on the store and no updated version exists it just vanishes.

Another scenario lets say you have a great app you downloaded/purchased and it does just what you like. However later the developer adds an updated version that sells subscription services to enhance your experience. Now when you go to restore your device Apple will force you to download the updated unwanted version of the app that now tries to sell you a subscription.

In a nutshell the end user (you)has less control of the device you have purchased. IT people and those managing iPads also have less control over the devices. Apple is (perhaps has) moving to a model where essentially all applications are a service. An app can decide to remove a “feature” in a update and eventually you will be forced to get this new version one way or another. Apps will try to up-sell you on features and add ons making some “updated” versions less functional than previous ones.

Why this matters, especially in the Education space. Apple makes great hardware that lasts a long time. This is great and one reason schools have purchased Apple products for years. The original iPad mini still is going strong in many schools around the nation. The problem is not with the hardware but instead with Apple’s approach to ownership and software. How to we keep a backup copy of apps that work great on iOS 9 on older devices like an iPad mini. The answer cannot be… ohhh sorry its unavailable now you should consider updating to a newer iPad. Well I guess this can be the answer and it is Apple’s answer …. however it brings into question how much value iPads bring to the education space. Less value than in the past where iMacs from 2010-2012 are still running the latest software and updates 6-8 years later.

Even the quote “enterprise” tools have been weakened an no longer backup apps. Apple Configurator does not backup any apps but instead is really more useful at letting you know which apps have now been pulled from the store.

To be honest I think it really just exposes what Apple’s focus is on. Apple’s focus is squarely on the consumer space. With hardware sales showing signs of flat lining apple will likely transition to expand its service model. Education is not a profitable space here… and I think they are not really committed to regaining lost market share here in the form of competing against Google and their Chromebook model. Instead I think they will double down on the home consumer market and work to heavily control the app experience and even move to encourage the more profitably click-bait app model of subscription to “add features” etc.

Good bye Chicktionary. Goodbye to backing up applications. Goodbye to managing your own device. The new ipad has a great price at 279$, has a great build quality and works well… but with weak configuration tools, focus on third party management software, and little control over software installed on the machine may not be the right device for the classroom.