BetaNews reports the adverts are visible in the App Store to owners of iPhone models older than the iPhone 6 that are running either iOS 9.1 or 9.2. They appear as full-screen interstitial popups when launching the store, presenting the user with two links to “Learn More” or “Upgrade Now.”
A less-visible “Skip” button sits in the top-right corner. The dialogs are modal and must be dismissed by the user before they can continue what they were doing.
Apple is trying to convince iPhone users to upgrade to the 6S with new App Store ads [image via Cult of Mac]
Cult of Mac
The advert shows a selection of different iPhone 6S variants, marketing the phone as “Ridiculously Powerful.” It represents the first time Apple has used aggressive advertising to push its existing customers towards buying newer models of its products but so far has generated only waves of negative feedback.
Apple has attracted criticism for distracting people from the App Store shopping experience they were already partaking in. It seems to be trying to generate even more sales of its handsets during the busy holiday season but so far the plan seems to have backfired.
The company hasn’t commented on the introduction of ads to the App Store and it remains unclear whether they are a permanent fixture or just a temporary push to convince people to upgrade to the iPhone 6S, already the fastest-selling iPhone in history.
Apple has used the App Store to advertise its products in the past but never in such an aggressive manner as this. Previously, the iPhone 6S has had a small banner advert and collections of apps have been created to showcase the features of new products. Currently, “Enhanced with 3D Touch” and “Great apps for iPad Pro” are live in the store as a subtle way to keep users aware of its latest devices.
Forcing all its App Store visitors to acknowledge the ‘ridiculous power’ of its latest handset is a new development for Apple and one that hasn’t gone down too well with its customers. Forums have been filled with discussion on the annoying popups, many of which have likened Apple’s actions to Microsoft’s controversial ways of getting people to upgrade to Windows 10.
