Key findings
- After clarifying its policies in July, Apple now allows PC emulators like iDOS 3 in the App Store.
- Old-school gamers enjoy easy access to older titles on the go without having to download additional apps.
- After a long wait, developer Chaoji Li is celebrating Apple's opening up to PC emulators.
Earlier this year, Apple officially allowed game emulators on the App Store, which led to the launch of Delta and RetroArch on the store. This was great news for old-school gamers, who could now easily play older titles on the go without having to overcome additional hurdles like sideloading applications. At the time, however, the App Store's policies only allowed game emulators, not PC emulators in general. Apple finally clarified this requirement in July when the UTM-SE PC emulator. Now another PC emulator has appeared in the store.
DOS for the masses…for now?
The iDOS 3 emulator developed by Chaoji Li was rejected in June, probably because it offered DOS emulation functions as a whole and not just emulated games. However, after Apple added the words “PC emulator” to point 4.7 of its App Review Guidelines, this category of apps can now also be offered legally through the App Store. This move led to Apple finally approving iDOS 3 for the App Store.
Discovered by The edgeLi nevertheless offered some words of warning in his celebratory blog post:
It's taken a long time for common sense to prevail at Apple. As much as I want to celebrate, I can't help but be a little cautious about the future. Are we OK from here on out? […]
I hope that iDOS now has the chance to assert itself and grow.
PS Even if words sometimes seem inadequate, I would like to say
Thanks
to the supporters of iDOS. In many ways, you keep iDOS alive.
Things have always been a bit murky when it comes to emulation, but it's nice to see major tech companies finally accommodating developers and consumers on this front. It remains to be seen if more PC emulators will make their way to the App Store, but for now you can purchase iDOS 3 for $0.99 from the Apple Store.