Apple Allows 'Drafts' App to Reinstate Notification Center Widget

[iSee]

yeah this is what i'm talking about. developers. if i was a business or a developer, wouldn't bother making stuff for Apple devices at this point. time is money, and if i'm gonna pay someone or use my time to develop something apple might change their mind about, i'll take my efforts elsewhere.

The thing is, it doesn't appear that app developers actually are dropping iOS, certainly not in any significant numbers.

They aren't stupid or unaware. iOS remains the best game in town, albeit not perfect. Apple's hand-curated system is far from perfect... and it probably has to be since it relies on app reviewers to make real judgment calls. Those won't ever be to everyone's satisfaction all the time.

Personally, I think it's a good sign that these bad calls can be reversed.

 

[macduke]

So the net effect is that, in the end, all the apps got their widgets and cloud functionality back and Apple just ends up looking extremely disorganized and restrictive. Way to go team!

 

[C DM]

These things happen. It's good that Apple is reasonable and willing to change a decision after looking at it more closely. Sure, it would be better to make one decision and stick with it; but in the real work, there are going to be wrong calls, the important thing is that Apple is willing to work with the developers and change when it's the right thing to do.

And that's really wall it comes down to: reality.

 

[rhett7660]

I am glad to see it come back in. I don't care it it was rejected before, and it became public. This shows that Apple is at least opening it up.... again....

Now if we can get a few more of the apps re-approved I think it would open the flood gates!

 

[69Mustang]

Disappointing. Implementing app functionality inside a notification center extension is not what it's for, and Apple's guidelines are clear about that. Apple needs more clarity in their vision for iOS, but they also need to stick to what they say. Implementing whatever people want will have iOS looking like Android. It's already heading that way with the ugly keyboards.

Disappointing why? If Apple allowed app functionality in the NC what would that actually change? Globally, I think it would change absolutely nothing. Individually, everything. If one person wanted app functionality in every widget in their NC, so be it. It doesn't affect Apple, you, me, or anyone else. If you wanted your NC to follow Apple's vision of an NC it would affect only you. iDevices aren't part of the Borg collective. For that matter, Android devices aren't part of a collective either. Each owner has individual preferences, hence the popularity of those ugly keyboards.

Apple does need to get their act together with app approvals. Either lay out more explicit parameters or take more time in their evaluations.

 

[Rogifan]

The thing is, it doesn't appear that app developers actually are dropping iOS, certainly not in any significant numbers.

They aren't stupid or unaware. iOS remains the best game in town, albeit not perfect. Apple's hand-curated system is far from perfect... and it probably has to be since it relies on app reviewers to make real judgment calls. Those won't ever be to everyone's satisfaction all the time.

Personally, I think it's a good sign that these bad calls can be reversed.

And Apple knows this. They're basically taking advantage because they think devs won't go anywhere else.

 

[manu chao]

The problem is Apple's policies are intentionally vague which is no good for anybody. And if you ever search the App Store you'll see there's plenty of garbage out there that the purists in Schiller's org think is perfectly fine. None of these rejected widgets were rejected because of security reasons so that's a bogus argument. [/url]

This controversy over rejections comes in waves and in the end always settles down. We had years without much if any controversy and now it is back with a vengeance and Apple is doomed™. Come back in half a year, and this will all be forgotten.

All, really all, these rejections revolve around Notification Center widgets, which have been available for three months now. Developers don't know what is allowed and Apple doesn't know either. They simply haven't made up their mind yet. And it requires developers to test out all technically possible functionality for Apple to form a solid opinion and have that solid opinion trickle down into all minds involved in app review.

Yes, it is embarrassing, yes it sucks, but a lot of the app rules have made iOS better or least better for a certain kind of user category. And figuring out which rules result in the best overall experience is not easy.

----------

Disappointing why? If Apple allowed app functionality in the NC what would that actually change? Globally, I think it would change absolutely nothing. Individually, everything. If one person wanted app functionality in every widget in their NC, so be it. It doesn't affect Apple, you, me, or anyone else. If you wanted your NC to follow Apple's vision of an NC it would affect only you. iDevices aren't part of the Borg collective.

Sometimes less choice makes life easier. Sometimes not giving people the rope to hang themselves is a good thing. Sure, you can give people all the rope they want, but this is not what Apple has been about.

I am not saying Apple's decisions here are the right ones. I am merely saying that people suggesting a simple solution to a complex problem are generally a little bit too self-confident about their ability to know better.

 

[Rogifan]

What's so stupid avout this is NC widgets don't just appear when you install an app. You have to go to the today view, click edit and manually add the widget. So one would assume those who are using widgets know what they're doing. Apple doesn't have to worry about protecting them from anything.

----------

This controversy over rejections comes in waves and in the end always settles down. We had years without much if any controversy and now it is back with a vengeance and Apple is doomed™. Come back in half a year, and this will all be forgotten.

All, really all, these rejections revolve around Notification Center widgets, which have been available for three months now. Developers don't know what is allowed and Apple doesn't know either. They simply haven't made up their mind yet. And it requires developers to test out all technically possible functionality for Apple to form a solid opinion and have that solid opinion trickle down into all minds involved in app review.

Yes, it is embarrassing, yes it sucks, but a lot of the app rules have made iOS better or least better for a certain kind of user category. And figuring out which rules result in the best overall experience is not easy.

Seems to me the issue is this stuff is split across three orgs. Software engineering which develops the features/APIs, Marketing which is responsible for developer relations and app approvals and Services which is responsible for the App Store and app promotion. One gets the sense they're not all on the same page or talking to each other. I actually agree with Rene Ritchie who wrote a piece saying Apple needs a VP responsible for apps. Let this person have authority for app review, developer relations and the App Store (including curation and promotion). And this person should not be part of the marketing department.

 

[iSee]

And Apple knows this. They're basically taking advantage because they think devs won't go anywhere else.

I don't know if I'd characterize it exactly like that.

Certainly, if Apple is picky and controlling (I think we can all agree that they are), developers will have to think twice before investing in their platform.

iOS is very desirable to devs, though, so there is no shortage of support for it. If we just went by volume of apps, Apple could be a LOT pickier and still have plenty of apps an a wide range of areas.

But being picky and controlling is a tricky thing. They might end up with many, many "bland" apps -- apps that won't offend Apple, but don't get users particularly excited. Ultimately, if that happens too widely, it weakens the platform because users lose interest in it.

I think it's pretty easy to argue that this has already happened to some degree. It's not so clear to me, though, if it ultimately amounts to a weakness in the platform or not. It seems that a lot of these silly rejections get corrected on appeal, so while it's not a good thing that stupid rejections happen, it probably doesn't hurt much if developers generally feel the appeal process works.

Then there are a number of areas where Apple just says, "forget about it". E.g., app launchers, no matter how innovative or interesting. Each of these forbidden things is a strategic decision, though, so Apple clearly thinks keeping these things out of apps strengthens the platform more than it weakens it.

 

[Peepo]

It shows $4.99. Is it on sale ?

 

[LordQ]

Yet they bitch about Launcher.

 

[cocky jeremy]

"Thanks to the help of some fine folks inside Apple for sorting this out."

Lol, yeah right. You know he was pissed as hell and swearing at Apple in his sleep!

Not really. He got a hell of a lot more exposure by having it pulled for a bit than if it had never gotten pulled at all.

 

[Gutwrench]

As it has done with several other overly zealous removal requests, Apple has reexamined

What the heck? Is this an Op-Ed piece or report of news?

 

[Gym Hellwig]

This is probably the 27th story I've seen on this stupid app. One week, Apple disallows something relating to the app. The following week, Apple allows it again. Rinse and repeat.

Who cares about this?

 

[petsounds]

Disappointing why? If Apple allowed app functionality in the NC what would that actually change? Globally, I think it would change absolutely nothing. Individually, everything. If one person wanted app functionality in every widget in their NC, so be it. It doesn't affect Apple, you, me, or anyone else. If you wanted your NC to follow Apple's vision of an NC it would affect only you. iDevices aren't part of the Borg collective. For that matter, Android devices aren't part of a collective either. Each owner has individual preferences, hence the popularity of those ugly keyboards.

iOS devices are Apple's brand representatives out in the wild. If they allow cluttered NC extensions that try to cram in half their app functionality into a tiny space, and if they allow keyboards that look like they were designed by a 5th-grader, those things appear in conjunction with the standard iOS user interface. They devalue the brand. It's the equivalent of Gucci having a strip on their purses that can be swapped out by customers with third party prints of cheetah spots or pink sequins.

More specifically, Today extensions are meant to function in the same way as Apple Watch "glances" -- a quick snapshot of info related to that app. Having rules and standards helps focus app developers to utilize this space in the way Apple envisions. If Apple can backpedal on anything given a little user pressure, they might as well say, "Put whatever you want in this area. We don't know why we even made it, honestly."

 

[gavroche]

I just wish they would have reversed course on their tirade against Launch for the Notification Center. That was the best app I never got to use...

Yea, me too. Wish i had not been away from my computer for a couple days when that came out, before they pulled it.

 

[gavroche]

Do you think anyone outside of the tech community (which is like 0.1% of the population) have even heard about this? No.

The majority of Apple's consumers just use Apple's products. They don't read news about them on MacRumors like us geeks.

True. But if it provides a great disincentive to developers, causing them to reconsider putting much effort into creating new apps.... then it affects everyone, whether they know it or not.

 

[69Mustang]

Sometimes less choice makes life easier. Sometimes not giving people the rope to hang themselves is a good thing. Sure, you can give people all the rope they want, but this is not what Apple has been about.

I am not saying Apple's decisions here are the right ones. I am merely saying that people suggesting a simple solution to a complex problem are generally a little bit too self-confident about their ability to know better.

Rogifan said it perfectly below. You said it makes life easier, but easier for whom? Apple? Definitely not the customer who wants to take advantage of enhanced widget capability. For those who want the easy life, they have to do nothing but not install the widget.

What's so stupid about this is NC widgets don't just appear when you install an app. You have to go to the today view, click edit and manually add the widget. So one would assume those who are using widgets know what they're doing. Apple doesn't have to worry about protecting them from anything.

100% this. Installing that widget is a voluntary action. It's not forced or automatic.

iOS devices are Apple's brand representatives out in the wild. If they allow cluttered NC extensions that try to cram in half their app functionality into a tiny space, and if they allow keyboards that look like they were designed by a 5th-grader, those things appear in conjunction with the standard iOS user interface. They devalue the brand. It's the equivalent of Gucci having a strip on their purses that can be swapped out by customers with third party prints of cheetah spots or pink sequins.

More specifically, Today extensions are meant to function in the same way as Apple Watch "glances" -- a quick snapshot of info related to that app. Having rules and standards helps focus app developers to utilize this space in the way Apple envisions. If Apple can backpedal on anything given a little user pressure, they might as well say, "Put whatever you want in this area. We don't know why we even made it, honestly."

You and I have a very different interpretation of what iDevices are. You see them as an extention of Apple's brand. I see them as products that I own. My decision to include widgets that have higher functionality don't affect Apple. No one uses my phone but me. No one see it but me so how can it affect Apple's brand? Your Gucci analogy fails to make your point but it does bolster mine regarding individual choice. Borrowing from your analogy, and applying it more appropriately: Apple sells phones and it's -ly* chassis is immediately covered by 3rd party cases of the users choices. There goes that brand representation.

Like Rogifan said, adding the widget is an additional step the customer must take. It's something they want to do. Unless Apple is peeking over their shoulder, it shouldn't matter. The NC is not wide open by default. If someone wants it, who does it hurt? Please don't say Apple again. Answer me this: How would allowing advanced functioning widgets clutter the NC? Not in generalities, but in specific terms. I say specifics because all of your quotes have just been generalities.

*-ly chassis - any of the multitude of words ending in -ly used by Jony Ive to describe all things Apple. unapologetically, beautifully, fantastically, aloomeeniumly, Bruce Lee...

 

[manu chao]

Rogifan said it perfectly below. You said it makes life easier, but easier for whom? Apple? Definitely not the customer who wants to take advantage of enhanced widget capability. For those who want the easy life, they have to do nothing but not install the widget.

Just the act of presenting options and choices can in a lot of situations make things harder. And Apple takes that to heart. You see that in all what Apple does. It doesn't offer dozens of different computer models. It doesn't offer 20 different phones like Samsung does, etc.. Or take any iPhone app, the longer the list of settings is, the more it starts become a liability instead of an asset.

Of course there has to be a balance, but that is exactly what you don't seem appreciate, for you it's the more, the merrier.

My problem is not whether one should allow this particular functionality or not. My problem is how one can be so 100% certain about it. Or maybe that one person's clear preference is taken to be the obviously correct answer.

 

[69Mustang]

Just the act of presenting options and choices can in a lot of situations make things harder. And Apple takes that to heart. You see that in all what Apple does. It doesn't offer dozens of different computer models. It doesn't offer 20 different phones like Samsung does, etc.. Or take any iPhone app, the longer the list of settings is, the more it starts become a liability instead of an asset.

Just like petsounds in an earlier comment, you're speaking in generalities when I'm addressing specificity. He said it would cause clutter, you're saying it could make things harder. Specifically, how could this make NC harder? You state choice can make things harder. In general terms yes it can - in certain circumstances. But it can also do the opposite; making things easier - in others. It's not an either or proposition. Point in fact, I see a lot of choice in what Apple does. The App Store is the very definition of choice and since we are discussing apps and their widget extensions, I think it's the perfect example. The sheer number of choices available in the App Store contradicts your assertion that Apple limits choice. If we think in terms of absolutes, then yes Apple doesn't offer much choice in OSX and iOS. If we avoid thinking in terms of absolutes it seems fairly obvious to me that Apple offers a ton of choice. Mac Pros, iMacs, Mac Minis, iPhones, and iPads. Each and everyone of those has a choice of standard configurations, and the Macs all offer additional customization choices. So I don't see this limiting of choice that you see. Just different perspectives, that's all.

Of course there has to be a balance, but that is exactly what you don't seem appreciate, for you it's the more, the merrier.

My problem is not whether one should allow this particular functionality or not. My problem is how one can be so 100% certain about it. Or maybe that one person's clear preference is taken to be the obviously correct answer.

You've answered a few of my quotes on different topics. In each instance, you completely misinterpret my statements. To keep the focus tight, I'll only address this topic. Bolded from your comment: Nowhere have I stated or even hinted that I thought the more, the merrier. Not sure where you got that idea. I'd actually like to know where you got that idea. Including this post, I've posted 3 quotes on this topic. None of them indicate I'm an advocate of a the more, the merrier attitude. I do think added functionality is okay in the NC. In some sense I think Apple does as well, which is why they are allowing it. My clear preference is one thing. You taking my preference and assuming that I think it is the obvious correct answer is something totally different. That would indicate a level of hubris that I haven't displayed. Like you, I'm just rendering an opinion.

 

[Jessica Lares]

It amazes me how oblivious people are about smartphones and their original intended purpose. Of course these things are now designed for the average person to be able to text friends, play games, and watch videos. But they were made for people to get organized, take notes, and manage work e-mails.

And people still use their smartphones for that reason. The iPhone 6+ is now at the size that PDAs in the 90's used to be, but it does the majority of things a lot better.

The types of people who download apps like Drafts, PCalc, OmniFocus, and most other apps in the category are not average. We know what we're getting into when we buy these apps, and we take the time to learn them thoroughly. We are not the same people who download a game, don't read the instructions, and then complain to the publisher that it's "too hard".

These apps aren't for the average person, so they aren't designed for the average person. Are they still polished like one? Yeah, but that's because productivity apps work best when they feel effortless.

The widgets that so many people here have a problem with are not hard to understand. And if you're not even using the app to begin with, then why the **** do you care whether it is or not to begin with? Maybe you weren't here when there was a business where people used to send their CDs to a place so they could be put on iPods because A LOT of people had no clue how to do something as simple as that back then. Heck, there's a whole new generation of people who will never understand how to do that now.

 

[Tech198]

"erratic" is spot on....

Maybe Apple should lay off the caffeine..

 

[Jaykob]

"Now back with the addition of recent drafts summary. Thanks to the help of some fine folks inside Apple for sorting this out."

Yeah, good to know that you'll need people inside to prevent your app from being kicked. A conventional developer wouldn't even reach anybody there to talk about it. Way to go Apple...

 

[litmag01]

Why embarassing?

We are only seeing the front and back end of the interaction here. We have no way of knowing what really transpired between Apple and the developer. I would rather Apple be overzealous in its application approval parameters than deal with the potential fallout of less than acceptable coding and third party interactions.

There is little fault in following the adage: "The better part of valor, is discretion...."

As for rumors that other developers are angered over Apple's approach to the approval process, we should try to remeber that each party has their own stake in the game. And then, of course, we should look to see who has the most to gain and who the most to lose.

In this case I'd have to say the scale is tipped towards the developers: they have both everything to gain and lose.

 

[Mockenrue]

I don't see how it's easier to pull down the shade and scroll down to use partial functionality for apps like this. I keep Drafts in the dock or on the first screen, so it always seems faster and more efficient to use the app. I'm curious to hear how others use the widget context.