When iOS 10.3 rolls out, it will ship with a capability for developers to answer customer feedback. This was revealed in the release notes issued with the firmware's beta build.
Apple touts that the new level of interaction is way up there specifically with what developers are angling for. This feature, one should note, has been available at the Android platform for quite some time.
New iOS App Store Feedback Feature
Apple is spinning the response feature as a new way for the platform to manage App Store ratings and reviews. It could also be seen as boon toward the iOS developer community, including a number of those disgruntled members concerned with the way Apple has handled cases such as how the Dash Dev app got unceremoniously booted due to some discrepancy in the customer rating.
Being able to immediately respond to a negative rating or review, developers can explain any issue or clarify what caused the customer's displeasure not just for the benefit of the aggrieved party but also for those users who will be turned off by the bad rap. This is particularly important for cases where users merely misunderstand features or report bugs that have been fixed by an existing update.
The iOS update is, of course, going to benefit users as well. This would mean that there is no longer going to be a need to email developers for issues that require a quick fix such as paid items not showing up in-game.
Apple announced that the new feedback system will also be implemented for the Mac App Store possibly through the upcoming 10.13 update said to be slated for June. MacOS's latest update is currently 10.12.3 released this month.
In-Game Rating
The iOS 10.3 beta is also rolling out a related feature, which could improve user experience. This involves the new capability for developers to solicit ratings within their apps.
Developers can already do this in the current system. They can nag users to rate the application but it entails the need to close the app and head to the App Store to rate. iOS will dispense with this process, allowing users to do it without leaving the app.
While this feature seems trivial, it could actually help the rating system be more indicative of the quality of an app. Some users tend to rate negatively or skip the system entirely for the sheer frustration of getting disrupted.
Apple has not yet confirmed the release schedule of the stable version. Engadget noted, however, that Apple tends to launch an official version a month after the beta's release. So the iOS public should be expecting the 10.3 at the end of February or early March.
