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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple appears to have made an exception to its rule that developers "embrace the notch" on the iPhone X, by approving an app called Notch Remover for the App Store.

Essentially, all the app does is add a black bar across the top of selected images that the user can then manually assign as a wallpaper in iOS Settings.

notch_remover_app_2_up.0.jpg

The result conceals the existence of the notch and the adjacent "ears" with what looks like a solid black status bar along the top of the lock screen and home screen.

The one-trick nature of the app is unlikely to have been overlooked by Apple and approved in error, suggesting that the company doesn't interpret its function as a violation of iPhone X developer guidelines.
Don't mask or call special attention to key display features. Don't attempt to hide the device's rounded corners, sensor housing, or indicator for accessing the Home screen by placing black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.
The notch houses Apple's TrueDepth camera and Face ID technology, but it eats into the viewing area of the OLED display. Its existence has divided Apple fans, but many iPhone X owners say that they don't really notice it after a few days or even just a few hours with the device, after which it ceases to be an issue for them.

Still, if the notch just isn't your thing, Notch Remover offers to mitigate the screen intrusion for just $0.99, while Notcho does something similar.

Article Link: Apple Approves 'Notch Remover' App for iPhone X
 
The notch isn't a problem really. Once you begin to use the phone, you really do forget about it. The only time it is really noticeable is when scrolling through webpages in landscape with the notch on the right. Watching videos isn't that much of a problem. The biggest issue that Apple needs to fix through software are some gestures. The X isn't the best iPhone for one-handed use because of placement of gestures and removal of home button. The Plus model iPhones with their bigger footprint are actually better for one-handed use.
 
Their app interface doesn't go against the guidelines. The function of the app doesn't either, it just manipulates an image to create a wallpaper. Dunno who would pay for this rather than just making their own images though. Also, looks a bit off with a different radius at the top of the image vs the radius at the bottom of the screen. to to mention the massive black bar at the top.
 
As I see it. App Store Review Guidelines is not the same thing as Human Interface Guidelines.

"embrace the notch" is not a hard requirement, but rather a design recommendation. They normally only enforce HIG when it can be misleading on confusing (such as fake Apple Pay interaction, copying of Apple interfaces, sub-standard interface design, etc.).
 
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