During the conclusion of the WWDC 2025 keynote on Monday, Apple celebrated its app developers in a unique way. Singer-songwriter Allen Stone humorously converted the positive App Store feedback from customers into song lyrics for a track called “6 out of 5 stars.”
He affectionately sang, “Best app I’ve ever set my sorry eyes upon,” adding, “This is not an app. It’s a piece of art.”
However, Apple notably avoided addressing the challenging recent years faced by its developer community or providing any compelling reasons for developers to maintain their trust in a company that has been entangled in legal battles and regulatory scrutiny.
The tech giant from Cupertino has faced intense scrutiny regarding its alleged App Store monopoly, engaging in a prolonged fight against regulation and lawsuits that have weighed heavily on its developer ecosystem.
Additionally, Apple has not yet realized some pivotal technological advancements that would modernize developer applications for the evolving AI landscape. For instance, the launch of a more personalized, AI-enhanced Siri was postponed, which the company only briefly mentioned in the keynote, citing a need for more development time.
Throughout WWDC, Apple’s AI-related features were reminiscent of Google’s offerings, such as translation capabilities. It also introduced some integrations with OpenAI’s technology but refrained from confirming partnerships with other AI providers that had been anticipated.
Apple’s treatment of developers seemed lacking as it focused more on consumer benefits rather than any substantial advances for app creators. The keynote included new design guidelines without adequately explaining their significance to developers, leaving many feeling undervalued despite the cheerful serenade celebrating them.
