Where did Box Office go? Gone from App store - Page 6

Metasyntactic · Aug 13, 2008, 04:57 PM

Well, good news everybody.

I've been able to contact a very nice person at Apple who's helped me with this. He's apologized for not contacting me sooner, and he's let me know that BoxOffice will be back up soon.

I'm somewhat unhappy about the whole mess, but at least there's good news on the horizon.

--

Also, after the app is released i'll be following it up with 1.3. That update will include several perf fixes *esp* related to network traffic. That means that you'll sync less and get the data you care about faster than before. This will be a plus for everyone, but will especially benefit edge users and those with spotty connections.

I'm also working on improved theater provider coverage for the states as well as global coverage for worldwide providers. No ETA yet, but great progress is being made day by day.

TimothyB · Aug 13, 2008, 05:07 PM

Sounds great, glad things are being worked out. I won't bother to ask why the pulled it in the first place. If it were a pay app, all this lost time would have been a lot more serious.

Oh, will there be a opening soon, coming soon, or this Friday section? So you can look in the app to see what's opening for the weekend?

Just checked, it shows Tropic Thunder as Today, since it's released early, but you still wouldn't know what's going to open on Friday until Friday.

I'm sure this has been asked many times.

Metasyntactic · Aug 13, 2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimothyB

Sounds great, glad things are being worked out. I won't bother to ask why the pulled it in the first place. If it were a pay app, all this lost time would have been a lot more serious.

Oh, will there be a opening soon, coming soon, or this Friday section? So you can look in the app to see what's opening for the weekend?

Just checked, it shows Tropic Thunder as Today, since it's released early, but you still wouldn't know what's going to open on Friday until Friday.

I'm sure this has been asked many times.

I'm definitely thinking of ways that i might support 'coming soon'. It's sorta non-trivial given my data providers... so we'll have to see. But it's definitely on the list (though after more comprehensive/worldwide coverage)

dranakin · Aug 13, 2008, 05:22 PM

So, when it comes back, will it be named 'BoxOffice' or 'Now Playing'?

Ntombi · Aug 13, 2008, 05:23 PM

I'm really glad to hear this good news! I was just showing someone the app yesterday; we watched two previews.

Will the name stay BoxOffice, or change to Now Playing? I want to know what to recommend to people.

Fofer · 05:48 PM

That is great news, indeed. What a relief... I was beginning to worry about the future of my favorite movie times app!

I have to say, I am very, very curious to know the reason behind Apple pulling it in the first place. Did they have a reason? And why didn't they make this reason clear, quickly, to the hard-working developer whose work they blocked from being shared? Or was it just an oversight?

That said, I'd like to list some feature improvements that would be great to see:

-I'd love to be able to see box office $$ receipts (how much each film has made so far) too. This data is shown in another app (OneTap?) and I found that interesting. Considering this app is called "Box Office" I thought it'd make sense to see it here too.

-I'd love expanded Rotten Tomatoes support. To be able to search the Tomatometer for any movie, present or past.

-I'd love to mark films as "favorites" too, so I can maintain the short list of what I want to see.

-Echoing an earlier request, being able to see "upcoming" films (and their trailers) would be sweet as well.

Metasyntactic · Aug 13, 2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ntombi

I'm really glad to hear this good news! I was just showing someone the app yesterday; we watched two previews.

Will the name stay BoxOffice, or change to Now Playing? I want to know what to recommend to people.

The name will be BoxOffice when apple returns it. but it will soon change to 'Now Playing'. However, you'll still be able to search for the app in the appstore with 'BoxOffice'.

The name change also won't affect current users. You'll still get updates like normal.

Metasyntactic · Aug 13, 2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fofer

That is great news, indeed. What a relief... I was beginning to worry about the future of my favorite movie times app!

I have to say, I am very, very curious to know the reason behind Apple pulling it in the first place. Did they have a reason? And why didn't they make this reason clear, quickly, to the hard-working developer whose work they blocked from being shared? Or was it just an oversight?

Unfortunately, the NDA limits me here.

Quote:

That said, I'd like to list some feature improvements that would be great to see:

-I'd love to be able to see box office $$ receipts (how much each film has made so far) too. This data is shown in another app (OneTap?) and I found that interesting. Considering this app is called "Box Office" I thought it'd make sense to see it here too.

Yup. I've gotten this request from a few people. It's on the list.

Quote:

-I'd love expanded Rotten Tomatoes support. To be able to search the Tomatometer for any movie, present or past.

Sorry... can't do. The licensing terms of RT restrict this. You're only licensed to use what's in the syndicated feed.

Quote:

-I'd love to mark films as "favorites" too, so I can maintain the short list of what I want to see.

Yup. I've heard this from a few people. I'll add this!

Quote:

-Echoing an earlier request, being able to see "upcoming" films (and their trailers) would be sweet as well.

Ok dokey

(just once i figure out how...)

markiscool · 07:08 PM

I don't know if this helps but, I emailed Steve Jobs about it not really expecting a response, because I really do love the app. He actually responded...er...maybe someone else did for him which in my opinion is far more likely, but someone from apple responded using his name at least. Here is the email I received verbatim (my original email message is below it):

Well your wrong. BoxOffice used Rotten Tomatoes ratings without asking Fox, their owner, for permission. Fox objected to copyright infringement and we agreed.

Steve

On Aug 13, 2008, at 11:55 AM, Mark Salpeter wrote:

Why was BoxOffice pulled from the iTunes App Store? I smell something fishy and I don't like it.

BuzzLightyear · Aug 13, 2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metasyntactic

The name will be BoxOffice when apple returns it.

I just did a search in iTunes and BoxOffice is back.

MBHockey · Aug 13, 2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuzzLightyear

I just did a search in iTunes and BoxOffice is back.

Nice, it is back! One of my top 5 favorite apps (and I've downloaded a TON!)

dranakin · Aug 13, 2008, 08:37 PM

Yup, updated my 1.0 to 1.2. Whoo!

Ntombi · 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markiscool

I don't know if this helps but, I emailed Steve Jobs about it not really expecting a response, because I really do love the app. He actually responded...er...maybe someone else did for him which in my opinion is far more likely, but someone from apple responded using his name at least. Here is the email I received verbatim (my original email message is below it):

Well your wrong. BoxOffice used Rotten Tomatoes ratings without asking Fox, their owner, for permission. Fox objected to copyright infringement and we agreed.

Steve

On Aug 13, 2008, at 11:55 AM, Mark Salpeter wrote:

Why was BoxOffice pulled from the iTunes App Store? I smell something fishy and I don't like it.

I smell something fishy from your post. I highly doubt that a reply to a random inquiry would net such a detailed (and unprofessional) reply, when the developer has only now been able to get a straight answer. Forgive me for being so cynical, but really, can you blame me?

izibo · Aug 13, 2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ntombi

I smell something fishy from your post. I highly doubt that a reply to a random inquiry would net such a detailed (and unprofessional) reply, when the developer has only now beenable to get a straight answer. Forgive me for being so cynical, but really, can you blame me?

I would tend to agree. Plus, I have a lot of money in Apple and it would be a little worrisome to know that their CEO didn't know the difference between 'your' and 'you're'...

nyctravis · Aug 13, 2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markiscool

Here is the email I received verbatim (my original email message is below it):

Well your wrong....

Steve

LOL I highly doubt Steve Jobs would spell "you're" wrong. You might, however.....

ninjapenguinart · Aug 13, 2008, 10:51 PM

i don't . . .

Steve Jobs

did do a lot of drugs . . . so maybe the r in your looked like 're to him . . . ^_^

SSM · Aug 13, 2008, 10:53 PM

Just got an email from the developer. BoxOffice has returned to the AppStore.

Here is the link:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...284939567&mt=8

Metasyntactic · Aug 13, 2008, 11:02 PM

I've talked to a guy at The-Numbers.com. Looks like they're very open to making their data available for use!

Metasyntactic · Aug 13, 2008, 11:04 PM

I really wish Steve had responded when i emailed him! Oh well

Fofer · Aug 13, 2008, 11:47 PM

Awesome, thanks for the reply, Metasyntactic. I'm looking forward to seeing all the improvements.

Another feature request: How about a link to the movie's IMDB page?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metasyntactic

Sorry... can't do. The licensing terms of RT restrict this. You're only licensed to use what's in the syndicated feed.

Ah, so that explains what happened to Tomatoes.app... also pulled around the same time as yours. I had it, unfortunately deleted it... and now I wish I hadn't.

And BigBucket's Tomatometer webapp, too!
http://www.bigbucketblog.com/2008/08...o-tomatometer/

Fofer · Aug 13, 2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ntombi

I smell something fishy from your post. I highly doubt that a reply to a random inquiry would net such a detailed (and unprofessional) reply, when the developer has only now been able to get a straight answer. Forgive me for being so cynical, but really, can you blame me?

I believe it's from him. Why? Because in the past I have emailed Steve and gotten equally curt, brash answers. Not always. But sometimes.

I think that's just his style; apparently it's served him well over the years.

Metasyntactic · Aug 13, 2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fofer

Awesome, thanks for the reply, Metasyntactic. I'm looking forward to seeing all the improvements.

Another feature request: How about a link to the movie's IMDB page?

This will be coming in a future release.

Cheers!

nyctravis · Aug 13, 2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjapenguinart

i don't . . .

Steve Jobs

did do a lot of drugs . . . so maybe the r in your looked like 're to him . . . ^_^

LOL good point

nyctravis · Aug 13, 2008, 11:59 PM

Congrats on getting the app back! Just downloaded and installed it now and am already loving it, and really appreciate being able to pick metacritic over RT. For some reason I just prefer them.

A small request for a future feature: I often go to the video store and while browsing the racks I often wish I could easily pull up a movie title and it's metacritic or RT rating quickly and easily. Is it at all possible to add the ability to "lookup" a movie and if it's in RT or metacritic to pull it up? I sometimes just go to their site on my iphone but it gets clunky and would really love to be able to do that on your app.

thanks and congrats again

Mac In School · Aug 14, 2008, 12:02 AM

Hooo rayyyyyyyy!

Aug 13, 2008, 05:23 PM	#130
Ntombi macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bostonian exiled in SoCal	I'm really glad to hear this good news! I was just showing someone the app yesterday; we watched two previews. Will the name stay BoxOffice, or change to Now Playing? I want to know what to recommend to people. __________________ 2.53 GHz 13" MacBook Pro 5.5 gen White iPod 32GB White iPhone 3GS Switching to AT&T? PM me for a $25 gift card!

Aug 13, 2008, 05:39 PM	#131
Fofer macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2002	That is great news, indeed. What a relief... I was beginning to worry about the future of my favorite movie times app! I have to say, I am very, very curious to know the reason behind Apple pulling it in the first place. Did they have a reason? And why didn't they make this reason clear, quickly, to the hard-working developer whose work they blocked from being shared? Or was it just an oversight? That said, I'd like to list some feature improvements that would be great to see: -I'd love to be able to see box office $$ receipts (how much each film has made so far) too. This data is shown in another app (OneTap?) and I found that interesting. Considering this app is called "Box Office" I thought it'd make sense to see it here too. -I'd love expanded Rotten Tomatoes support. To be able to search the Tomatometer for any movie, present or past. -I'd love to mark films as "favorites" too, so I can maintain the short list of what I want to see. -Echoing an earlier request, being able to see "upcoming" films (and their trailers) would be sweet as well. Last edited by Fofer : Aug 13, 2008 at 05:48 PM.

Aug 13, 2008, 07:07 PM	#134
markiscool macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2008	I don't know if this helps but, I emailed Steve Jobs about it not really expecting a response, because I really do love the app. He actually responded...er...maybe someone else did for him which in my opinion is far more likely, but someone from apple responded using his name at least. Here is the email I received verbatim (my original email message is below it): Well your wrong. BoxOffice used Rotten Tomatoes ratings without asking Fox, their owner, for permission. Fox objected to copyright infringement and we agreed. Steve On Aug 13, 2008, at 11:55 AM, Mark Salpeter wrote: Why was BoxOffice pulled from the iTunes App Store? I smell something fishy and I don't like it. Last edited by markiscool : Aug 13, 2008 at 07:08 PM. Reason: typeo

Aug 13, 2008, 10:51 PM	#141
ninjapenguinart macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2008	i don't . . . Steve Jobs did do a lot of drugs . . . so maybe the r in your looked like 're to him . . . ^_^ __________________ 24" Aluminum iMac, 3.06 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HD;15" Unibody MacBook Pro Late 2008 2.53ghz; 80 GB iPod Classic; iPhone 3G 16gb White

Aug 13, 2008, 10:53 PM	#142
SSM macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2008	It's back!!!!! Just got an email from the developer. BoxOffice has returned to the AppStore. Here is the link: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...284939567&mt=8

Aug 13, 2008, 04:57 PM	#126
Metasyntactic macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2008	Well, good news everybody. I've been able to contact a very nice person at Apple who's helped me with this. He's apologized for not contacting me sooner, and he's let me know that BoxOffice will be back up soon. I'm somewhat unhappy about the whole mess, but at least there's good news on the horizon. -- Also, after the app is released i'll be following it up with 1.3. That update will include several perf fixes esp related to network traffic. That means that you'll sync less and get the data you care about faster than before. This will be a plus for everyone, but will especially benefit edge users and those with spotty connections. I'm also working on improved theater provider coverage for the states as well as global coverage for worldwide providers. No ETA yet, but great progress is being made day by day.

Aug 13, 2008, 05:07 PM	#127
TimothyB macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2008	Sounds great, glad things are being worked out. I won't bother to ask why the pulled it in the first place. If it were a pay app, all this lost time would have been a lot more serious. Oh, will there be a opening soon, coming soon, or this Friday section? So you can look in the app to see what's opening for the weekend? Just checked, it shows Tropic Thunder as Today, since it's released early, but you still wouldn't know what's going to open on Friday until Friday. I'm sure this has been asked many times.

Aug 13, 2008, 05:22 PM	#129
dranakin macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2005	So, when it comes back, will it be named 'BoxOffice' or 'Now Playing'?

Aug 13, 2008, 08:37 PM	#137
dranakin macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2005	Yup, updated my 1.0 to 1.2. Whoo!

Aug 13, 2008, 11:02 PM	#143
Metasyntactic macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2008	I've talked to a guy at The-Numbers.com. Looks like they're very open to making their data available for use!

Aug 13, 2008, 11:04 PM	#144
Metasyntactic macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2008	I really wish Steve had responded when i emailed him! Oh well

Aug 13, 2008, 11:59 PM	#149
nyctravis macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC	Congrats on getting the app back! Just downloaded and installed it now and am already loving it, and really appreciate being able to pick metacritic over RT. For some reason I just prefer them. A small request for a future feature: I often go to the video store and while browsing the racks I often wish I could easily pull up a movie title and it's metacritic or RT rating quickly and easily. Is it at all possible to add the ability to "lookup" a movie and if it's in RT or metacritic to pull it up? I sometimes just go to their site on my iphone but it gets clunky and would really love to be able to do that on your app. thanks and congrats again

Aug 14, 2008, 12:02 AM	#150
Mac In School macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2007	Hooo rayyyyyyyy!

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