Apple Debuts App Store Video Trailers in Latest Editor's Choice App

Apple today debuted a new video trailer in the App Store for its latest Editor's Choice app, Clumsy Ninja, reports MacStories. This is the first time that Apple has allowed a video to be embedded within an App Store description.

As an Editor's Choice pick, Clumsy Ninja has been given a specially designed App Store page in iTunes that includes a link to the app along with a video trailer that opens into a full screen preview when clicked. The iOS App Store description of the app features the same general layout, with the embedded video playing directly within the built-in iOS media player.

clumsyninja

The big news is, of course, the fact that Apple is embedding a video in the App Store, which has historically only allowed developers to include up to five static screenshots for their apps. Clumsy Ninja's video opens the built-in iOS media player in portrait mode, and it features music playing in the background with no voiceover or custom App Store branding. It is, effectively, a game trailer on the App Store.

Videos within App Store app descriptions are a new feature and it is unclear whether Apple plans to use videos only for its featured apps or if there will be a wider video rollout allowing developers to embed similar trailer videos in their app descriptions.

Developers have thus far been limited to a handful of screenshots to show off app functionality, but video embeds could go a long way towards showing off the true capabilities of an app.

Currently, the Clumsy Ninja video is restricted to the U.K. and other European App Stores, but the U.S. App Store will presumably be updated soon to feature the new Editor's Choice pick. The new App Store layout can be accessed through the U.K. link, however, which does open in the U.S. App Store.

Top Rated Comments

somethingelsefl Avatar
129 months ago
Good. Now let's enable a trial/demo period option for app developers that way the App Store volume would be almost cut half by getting rid of "Lite" or limited versions of apps and search functionality would improve.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
attila Avatar
129 months ago
The ninja is too skeumorphic.

I hope they update the app to ios7 soon!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
campingsk8er Avatar
129 months ago
Good. Now let's enable a trial/demo period option for app developers that way the App Store volume would be almost cut half by getting rid of "Lite" or limited versions of apps and search functionality would improve.

I like that idea, but then Apple wouldn't be able to boast how many Apps they have on the App store and that they have more than Android.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drewc1138 Avatar
129 months ago
Neat. I'm sure it'll only be on featured apps, since it's a completely different page.

I'd much rather Apple work on finding a solution for uploading screenshots after the app is live/in review. It's kind of ridiculous to have to submit a whole new build just to update screenshots.

If they roll out a way of easily capturing a screen recording then this will be amazing.

Otherwise it seems like few developers will be able to utilize it... It's very hard to make a quality screen recording, IMO. Your best bet is to screen record the simulator, but with a lot of apps, games in particular, it's hard to accurately show off your app in the simulator.

Check out Reflector. It's great. http://www.airsquirrels.com/reflector/
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nagromme Avatar
129 months ago
An obvious addition in hindsight: I'm thinking of how often I go to a browser and search YouTube for an app (games, at least) before I buy it. Hope this becomes widespread!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
158273 Avatar
129 months ago
Finally. We needed this from Day 1.

Did we? Really? Ok.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...