The Vergecast Delta's 10-year journey to the top of the App Store
May 7, 2024
Riley Testut, founder of AltStore and developer of the Delta game emulator app, discusses his decade-long journey to get Delta into the App Store. He shares insights on overcoming Apple’s restrictions and the emotional rollercoaster of development. The conversation also covers the launch of AltStore in Europe and how new EU regulations are shaping app distribution. Additionally, they explore the role of AI in voice recording, including the effectiveness of tools like Cleft Notes and future trends in tech devices.
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GBA4iOS Origin
- Riley Testut, in high school, stumbled upon a jailbroken Game Boy Advance emulator.
- He modified it, shared it with friends, and then released it on GitHub, leading to unexpected popularity.
High Demand for Emulation
- Over 10 million people used GBA4iOS before Apple's iOS update patched the exploit.
- This proved a large, unmet demand for emulation on iPhones, despite common assumptions.
Apple's Reversal
- Initially, Apple told Riley they would approve Delta for the App Store if it followed guidelines.
- However, they reversed their decision a year later, frustrating Riley after a year of development.