Hi, I just unpacked an iPhone and I noticed this weird widget that was pre-added to my home-screen. Looks like it is ads! Is this a new normal behavior for Apple?
When you click on it you get redirected to the app-store to download this ticket app
this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2023
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My guess is you’re near a location that has an AppClip (super small and fast app) and Siri thinks that this AppClip is useful to you. The idea here is that if you actually went to this museum/attraction you would want to buy a ticket, so Siri gives you this small app to do so (you don’t need to download the full app from the App Store, just press “open”).
To clarify, this is not an ad, but an unlucky Siri Suggestion and it does not invade your privacy.
From the Apple Developer website :
That's the informed comment I was looking for, thank you. But from my point of view it's still an ad. I don't care if Apple thinks is the right thing to do honestly.
Also what you quoted: "When your App Clip is associated with a specific location, you can register your App Clip to appear on a place card in Maps so people can open it from there. It can also appear as a Siri suggestion and in Spotlight Search as needed."
From this prospective looks like it's something I chose to do, but it's not, the iPhone was just unpacked, I put the glass-screen and the cover, updated iOS and that's it. So this behavior is default.
You are correct, this is default behaviour. Siri needs some time to train itself to understand what you want to do with your iPhone, so by default it just gives you random suggestions to see what sticks.
The text I quoted is directed at the developer of the app. I just used it as proof that AppClips can be suggested by Siri.
Technically this is not an ad, since as far as I know nobody got paid, but I agree that this is annoying.
In not too familiar with the App Intents and Siri Kit frameworks, which power these suggestions, so I can’t give you more details.
So it's more like a "shoutout" ? I see the interest from both to have it there tho. If I purchase a ticket through the suggested app, both Apple and the seller get a cut right?
Thanks tho, it's clear.
The 30%/15% apple tax for in-app-purchasers is applied only to software, content or features. Physical purchases, such as a ticket, are Apple-tax free.
I won’t speculate about Apple’s motivations tho, as I am an Apple fanboy and will be annoying.
The restaurant told Apple Maps that it has an app clip and where the restaurant is located. Because you have location permission enabled (prompted during setup) you are within range so Siri is suggesting it may be helpful for you. The gps can’t tell if you’re exactly in the store, above the store, or next to the store.
This method is far less invasive than relying on GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth tracking to determine if you’re actually in the restaurant.
Your iPhone will learn your habits over time as the Siri recommendations are processed on device and not on Apples servers. You can remove Siri recommendations in widgets by holding down on it and turning the toggle off.
The company isn’t able to pay Apple to market its app to you via Siri suggestions so technically it’s not an advert but understandable that it appears that way!