Apple Reconsiders Calculator Widgets, Won’t Pull PCalc from App Store

Pcalc ios 8 widget

Yesterday, the developer of PCalc announced his popular calculator app’s iOS 8 widget would no longer be allowed, as Apple told him to remove it. Today however, an Apple spokesperson has confirmed to TechCrunch that the company is changing its course and the PCalc app with its widget will remain in the App Store, and that all other calculator-type widgets will be allowed as well.

“From our understanding, the calculator use case was not one that Apple had anticipated, which is why an App Store reviewer originally explained to Thomson that he would need to adjust the app, or risk being pulled from the App Store.

PCalc’s widget is very useful when you’re within another app and need to do calculations, as switching to a different app just to use a calculator can be a pain. Some apps – including a good number of financial apps – log you out for security purposes when you switch away from them, which is why the PCalc widget became many users’ favorite widget to date.”

Similar unofficial policy adjustments happen from time to time as Apple reacts to how its developer community integrates new iOS features into their applications. But as for why a Calculator widget would not be allowed is less clear.

Nonetheless, this situation is now resolved at least until some other developer thinks up an idea that extends beyond Apple’s current App Store guidelines.

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