So apparently if a developer submits a new version of an app too soon after the last, the current version gets pulled while update is under review. Not only, that but current users are told update to an even older version....
WTF?
Basically, here's the situation, I beta test one of my favorite apps. At the end of November, the developer released a big 2.0 update. He basically changed around the whole syncing and user account part of the app. Of course, he makes this available in several countries, and even has a setup walk through for some foreign users who don't understand English.
Well, about 2 weeks later, he submits a 2.0.1 minor update. It fixes a few problems, mostly formatting tweaks, minor text parsing bugs and a some small localization issues.
So what does Apple do? While the 2.0.1 is under review(I assume 4 to 10 days), they take the 2.0 off the App Store, and revert to 1.0.1. Also, when any user with 2.0 goes to update in iTunes, they are told to upgrade to version 1.0.1.
Now, this caused quite a bit of confusion amongst many users and led to poor reviews in some countries. There were things like "claimed feature is broken" or "No such menu as seen in walk-through. Developer needs to check app before submitting." So, with these poor reviews and inability to download the latest version, the App Store ranking has dropped quite a bit in several countries.
Seems like a crappy thing for Apple to have done.
Jeez, imagine if a few weeks after releasing OSX 10.6, they release a minor 10.6.0.1 update. Because of that, stores carrying the OSX retail version pull 10.6 off the shelves(without even consulting Apple) and inform all current 10.6 users that they should revert to the latest 10.5 edition. Not only that, but the stores leave up promotional material for 10.6 and new users start complaining about why their "latest version" (10.5.x) doesn't work like in the promo materials...
WTF?
Basically, here's the situation, I beta test one of my favorite apps. At the end of November, the developer released a big 2.0 update. He basically changed around the whole syncing and user account part of the app. Of course, he makes this available in several countries, and even has a setup walk through for some foreign users who don't understand English.
Well, about 2 weeks later, he submits a 2.0.1 minor update. It fixes a few problems, mostly formatting tweaks, minor text parsing bugs and a some small localization issues.
So what does Apple do? While the 2.0.1 is under review(I assume 4 to 10 days), they take the 2.0 off the App Store, and revert to 1.0.1. Also, when any user with 2.0 goes to update in iTunes, they are told to upgrade to version 1.0.1.
Now, this caused quite a bit of confusion amongst many users and led to poor reviews in some countries. There were things like "claimed feature is broken" or "No such menu as seen in walk-through. Developer needs to check app before submitting." So, with these poor reviews and inability to download the latest version, the App Store ranking has dropped quite a bit in several countries.
Seems like a crappy thing for Apple to have done.
Jeez, imagine if a few weeks after releasing OSX 10.6, they release a minor 10.6.0.1 update. Because of that, stores carrying the OSX retail version pull 10.6 off the shelves(without even consulting Apple) and inform all current 10.6 users that they should revert to the latest 10.5 edition. Not only that, but the stores leave up promotional material for 10.6 and new users start complaining about why their "latest version" (10.5.x) doesn't work like in the promo materials...