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Apple Rejecting All e-Book App Store Submissions?
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It would be a Kindle-killer only if it had a battery that lasted for a week and an electronic paper display (i.e., no backlighting) so it's roughly equivalent to reading an actual book. Unfortunately, I don't think either of those things will happen, although it could be a nice supplement to an actual reader.
(It's the electronic paper display that makes screens on Kindles and similar devices so much better to read on than computer displays; they're hardly similar at all.)
I really do hope the other phones from Google and Palm take off and become popular. Apple will be forced to change their ways.
Apple are showing themselves to be spectacular control freaks, or perhaps even bigger control freaks than we already knew.
**** them and their store. If you value being able to do and buy what you want for your phone, look elsewhere.
You're just going to get tied in a screwed over the more time passes.
Stop being a screwball.
Do you praise Apple on all the apps they approve? No. But when they reject an app, you lose your damn mind.
Man, the internet is creating new p***ies everyday...
Wow. They probably are entering into the ebook market. The kindle proves that there is life in that sector. Lame that they block apps that have the function though.
I just hope they don't start pulling already downloaded content, that more than anything would make me furious. I can see where they're coming from and why they might have to be tighter, but to me it's going to be a question of how far it extends. I have the 150 Great Books app (of which I love) and know is in the "public domain" area. If they touch things like that I will be very saddened.
This does up the ante on the Tablet rumors, I think the stars are aligning just right for a release, but hey, you never know with Apple.
This does up the ante on the Tablet rumors, I think the stars are aligning just right for a release, but hey, you never know with Apple.
Apple are showing themselves to be spectacular control freaks, or perhaps even bigger control freaks than we already knew.
**** them and their store. If you value being able to do and buy what you want for your phone, look elsewhere.
You're just going to get tied in a screwed over the more time passes.
Or perhaps there's a very good reason for all this.
They aren't stupid. In fact, Apple is the only one in the industry that seems to do everything right, at the right time. They're just trying to balance tight control (which is an absolute MUST for Apple - you wouldn't have the luxury of an iPhone without it) with a minimum level of transparency (not always easy.) Apple pioneered the whole App Store concept (usable App Store, at least), and this is brand new territory for them. They changed an entire industry overnight and are now leading it.
The person who's on point has to deal with situations as they come. The followers bringing up the rear have the luxury of observing what goes on and then reacting (and they haven't done nearly as well as Apple has in this area.)
Let's wait and see what this decision by Apple is connected to before we dismiss the entire App Store concept - which incidentally, the average user loves, regardless of the exceptions regarding Google Voice and whatever Ninja Dictionary. Incidents and issues that the average user will never notice, much less care about. Carriers are falling all over themselves to get iPhone rights and users everywhere are trying to get their hands on one. The App Store is in place, it works very well, but it's a helluva lot to manage for Apple. So far they've done a good job. There have been a couple of exceptions and those will be sorted out. The App Store has been, and still is (and will be) a developer's paradise for the most part, and it has only benefited users.
Keep in mind the whole Tablet issue as a possible factor in this particular case. There might be a connection.
So cool your jets, and remember what smartphones were like before 2007.
Lets put that one in context shall we ?
The App developer first had the app on jailbroken iPhones and since then he's been rejected more than 6 times :
"Weve developed the application for reading e-books on the iPhone (I know, there are plenty of them) called i2Reader. Actually weve developed it quite some time ago, it was one of the first e-book readers for jailbroken iPhones, and a quite popular one. Finally weve decided to bring it to the App Store (yeah, I dont know either what took us so long), so weve uploaded it to the App Store for the first time about two months ago. Since then all we are getting from Apple are rejects (about nine of them)
Ok, they've gone too far. I haven't b****ed much about the rest of the rejections, but this is too much. As others have pointed out, the ipod can be used to access illegally obtained materials. Safari can be used to look at child-porn. Mail can be used to send death threats to public officials... You get the point.
They can't keep banning stuff people want and not have it hit sales at some point.
The pieces are coming together
The connection between new like this and rumors of some sort of Tablet are most likely linked. Apple may not stop you from importing books downloaded from other sites into itunes but just like with the iphone, they will only allow device downloads from itunes.
The reason for the news now is that the iphone is not much of a e-reader for most people who value their eyesight, but they maybe plan for the tablet to control the market for e-books in the same way the ipod controls the mp3 market.
The connection between new like this and rumors of some sort of Tablet are most likely linked. Apple may not stop you from importing books downloaded from other sites into itunes but just like with the iphone, they will only allow device downloads from itunes.
The reason for the news now is that the iphone is not much of a e-reader for most people who value their eyesight, but they maybe plan for the tablet to control the market for e-books in the same way the ipod controls the mp3 market.
That's bull. I'm putting the finishing touches on a book app right now for a book MY PARENTS WROTE THEMSELVES. Does this mean Apple is going to reject it? Gee, Apple. How about you give me my $99 bucks back, then?
Thats a ridiculous argument. Apple can't control what you do with a browser or email program. They CAN try to adhere to publishers complaints about copyright infringement however.
I'm done with the iPhone if things don't turn around
I am a very happy iPhone 3G owner but unless there are some serious changes in Cupertino my money will no longer be going to Apple when it comes to cell phones. Apple is out of control! They think just because they have the best** smartphone on the market they can treat their customers like ****. Apple... your **** is good... but it's not that good. I love my iPhone and will continue to happily use it until it breaks but after that I'm moving on to a device where I don't have to worry about an app being pulled 3 months after it shows up.
I have a Google Voice account so that was the MAJOR final straw for me when they pulled the GV Mobile app. I'm so disappointed! I am not a man who always abides strictly by his principles I will let things slide quite a way if I'm seeing benefits to my life but apple has pushed me past the point I'm willing to accept and it sucks. Really terrible job apple. Thumbs DOWN!
I am a very happy iPhone 3G owner but unless there are some serious changes in Cupertino my money will no longer be going to Apple when it comes to cell phones. Apple is out of control! They think just because they have the best** smartphone on the market they can treat their customers like ****. Apple... your **** is good... but it's not that good. I love my iPhone and will continue to happily use it until it breaks but after that I'm moving on to a device where I don't have to worry about an app being pulled 3 months after it shows up.
I have a Google Voice account so that was the MAJOR final straw for me when they pulled the GV Mobile app. I'm so disappointed! I am not a man who always abides strictly by his principles I will let things slide quite a way if I'm seeing benefits to my life but apple has pushed me past the point I'm willing to accept and it sucks. Really terrible job apple. Thumbs DOWN!
I'm far from a hater, but I'm also not a mindless fanboy. While a tablet would provide a lot of functionality that the Kindle doesn't (most ways?), would it provide a better *reading* experience, which is what the Kindle is designed for. eInk is great for reading. I've used my Kindle outside in direct light with no problem, something I can't say for my iPhone. I'm waiting to see what Apple eventually offers in this space. It may be great, but they have had a few flops over time.
On topic - wouldn't it be nice for a company to stand up for what's right rather than cowering from the fear of lawsuits (if that is, indeed what they are doing)? Wide access to books and ideas is important for a free society. Let's take on some risk here and deal with the law breakers as they occur.
Tablet?
I was interested in the tablet Apple is rumored to be releasing but if apps have to go through the App Store, I do not believe I will be looking it. If I purchase a device I do not want the manufacturer telling me how I can use it.
I believe Apple is going to step over a line and the various government agencies are going to slap them down. I am not a big government control person, but they are going to push the wrong person and Steve is going to get pushed back.
Apple needs to loosen up and stop worrying about the apps.
I was interested in the tablet Apple is rumored to be releasing but if apps have to go through the App Store, I do not believe I will be looking it. If I purchase a device I do not want the manufacturer telling me how I can use it.
I believe Apple is going to step over a line and the various government agencies are going to slap them down. I am not a big government control person, but they are going to push the wrong person and Steve is going to get pushed back.
Apple needs to loosen up and stop worrying about the apps.
Which way?
I doubt they will break into a competitive market with an iTunes type iBook store. However, there is NO doubt Apple will provide an eBook reader that is versatile and can compete with the Kindle. So a tablet with movies, games, music, computing capability, iWork function, and color, will trash a corner of the Kindle market in a heartbeat.
Only for old people (such as myself) who grew up reading books. If you're starting an ebook platform right now, then the segment of the market that you should care about capturing and locking in right now has been doing most of their reading on backlit computer screens for their entire lives.
This.
A tablet from Apple would create an entirely new handheld industry. Boom. Another paradigm shift in hardly any time at all.
What next? Apple rejects any Bible apps because they can't be sure who holds the rights to the content of the Bible?
letters to Apple?
Maybe it's time to start a letter-writing campaign. I left "product feedback" for the ipod touch at www.apple.com (removing censorship from the app store would be a "product enhancement").
Anyone have addresses for feedback to Apple that might get attention?
It seems likely that some people at Apple read macrumors and slashdot, but they sure don't seem to be acting on it.
Maybe it's time to start a letter-writing campaign. I left "product feedback" for the ipod touch at www.apple.com (removing censorship from the app store would be a "product enhancement").
Anyone have addresses for feedback to Apple that might get attention?
It seems likely that some people at Apple read macrumors and slashdot, but they sure don't seem to be acting on it.
While I'm not a mindless fanboy, I'm definitely not the sort of guy to throw out broadbrush labels and try to be subtly abusive about others.... ok, maybe I am like that.
Anyway, I had the eInk in mind as the one plus the Kindle would have over the iTablet. However, how many people would suffer that downgrade to get computing, movies, music, great connectivity to computers and media outside of books, as well as tons of apps, and (hopefully) a killer application expected by us mindful fanboys? Thus, my post stands.