A new emulator named iGBA has appeared on the App Store, allowing users to play Game Boy Advance games on their iPhones. However, it seems that the developer, Mattia La Spina, may not have created the emulator themselves. Despite this, the frustration lies with Apple for approving the emulator rather than with La Spina.
When asked for comment, La Spina did not confirm using Testut’s code but expressed regret for the app’s unintended impact. Moreover, the iGBA app is noted to collect user data that can be used to identify individuals, prompting caution from users. Additionally, another emulator called Emu64 XL, a Commodore 64 emulator, was spotted, raising concerns over the amount of tracking involved in the app.
Apple’s tight control over the App Store is shifting, with the allowance of emulators signaling a potential change in their policies due to external pressures such as the EU’s Digital Markets Act and lawsuits regarding antitrust issues. This change may lead to more app options and sideloading on iPhones. While the presence of emulators on the App Store is a positive development, the concern lies in the quality and privacy implications of the first apps approved under this new policy.
