Apple Rejecting All e-Book App Store Submissions?

[kironin]

Slowly but surely, Apple's infamous control freak corporate culture is a cancer that is invading the App store process.

I love my iPhone but this makes it clear now where the future is, and it's not with Apple. Just like Microsoft took advantage of Apple shooting itself in the 80's with control freak Steve at the helm, Google is now going to take advantage of Apple shooting itself to make a big opening for Android phones. In a few years, instead of dominating the market, the iPhone will be a niche player just like the Mac is with a small dedicated following but no hope of anything more and Apple will plummet back to the $4/share it was in the late 90's.

 

[QCassidy352]

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.

An application that itself contains copyrighted material is one thing. An application that provides an interface in to which the user can put copyrighted material from an outside source is something else entirely.

The browser and mail examples are not quite the same (although an ipod is exactly the same) but hardly ridiculous comparisons. The point is that apps with perfectly legal and legitimate uses can also be used for illegal activity. Stanza, if used as intended, will not infringe any copyrights.

 

[admanimal]

Perhaps we should wait and see what happens to other e-book apps before getting too crazy over this? The App Store reviewers have been known to hand down inconsistent and often misinformed rejections in the past, and the particular rejection letter this app received did not actually specifically say that all e-books/readers were being rejected. The developer is just assuming that "this category of application" refers to e-book readers and that the reviewer isn't just completely clueless/confused.

I mean, new ebooks are still appearing in the store as of today, so something isn't consistent here.

 

[Ted13]

My first reaction is that Apple has lost its corporate mind. This is beyond nuts.

On the other hand, if you read the article, it makes nothing clear. Are we talking just single books, e-book readers, what? There isn't a single concrete example given -- it is all anonymous. It makes no sense, you'd think that the developers in question would be publicly jumping up and down -- as have those who in the past have gotten rejections reversed.

So lets not bring the pitchforks out just yet -- but if this is true, Apple needs an intervention.

 

[Apot]

When I got my 3gs with OS 3.0 I figured there was less reason to jailbrake than previous models, but it's almost like Apple want's me too.

 

[meagain]

I don't know why everyone is upset. Apple's policy is no apps that intrude on their native iPhone apps.

Surely Apple is up to something and going to introduce books for the tablet or maybe struck a deal with Amazon or something.

As someone who wants that 'tablet' BAD, I see this as a great sign and rejecting e-book apps makes total sense to me.

 

[QCassidy352]

The developer is just assuming that "this category of application" refers to e-book readers and that the reviewer isn't just completely clueless/confused.

a very good point. thanks for being a voice of reason. (and yes, I'm aware that i'm a member of the hysterical mob, but I'll stop now)

 

[TAJones99]

I was a PC now I'm a Mac but apple all I been hearing lately is bad news, I really thought Microsoft was bad I put a lot of money into switching to apple, we paid $99 for them to reject and give us a hard time, why is there a rating system but they reject you for your content, I'm really thinking bout becoming a PC again at lease I know where Microsoft stands.

 

[crazedbytheheat]

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.

Not necessarily. First, you engage in a preemptive ad hominem attack by implying that Kindle users are "haters". Second, you imply that the only choice is either a Kindle or a tablet (false choices). Some of us can actually afford both or feel that our laptops + Kindle provide all the features we need. Stating that a non-existent, rumored product that you've never seen is superior just doesn't make sense. Maybe you're not a "mindless fanboy", but you come across as one. (Hey, I'm practically one myself - check my sig). Just annoying to see people bash others based on reasonable personal choices.

 

[mambodancer]

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.

Again, I think this has more to do with protecting their customers from a rapidly expanding class of "predatory" applications developers who are more interested in "stealing" your money than it is about controlling what you can and cannot read.

 

[jdechko]

I'm not spending another dime in the App store until Apple gets this mess sorted out.

They just need to hit the reset button: admit they screwed this thing up, that it got way big too fast, refund the developers their money and start over from scratch. Do it right this time. If you want to be the gatekeeper, fine. Just establish a crystal clear set of rules for everybody and stick to it.

Unfortunately, that will never ever happen because that's a lot of blame to admit.

I don't know why everyone is upset. Apple's policy is no apps that intrude on their native iPhone apps.

Really? Are you sure about that? Because there are alternate browsers, email clients, stock tools, notes programs, voice recorders, SMS (and MMS) programs and calculators that say otherwise. And most of them are much better than what Apple offers.

The worst part is that Apple is even inconsistent on this "policy". At first, they restricted duplicate functionality. Then they accepted it. Now they're rejecting it again.

 

[nagromme]

If these rejections are what they seem, but are temporary, as some change is put into place, then Apple's crime is in being absurdly bad in making their rejection communications clear and useful.

If these rejections are what they seem and are a permanent change, then there's something even worse going on. Even if Apple's not planning to compete with eBooks, this is the kind of policy change that could use a little advance warning.

And yes it's possible that the "something even worse" is being requested by outside parties who are going after Apple. (But I'd still expect Apple to make the situation more clear.)

Apple doesn't police copyright until after someone complains--which seems like the only practical way to do it. Why not continue applying that policy to eBooks? The content owners may hate the work it asks of them, but if Apple complies with their requests to remove violations, then it seems like a workable system.

Unless, that is, there are SO many complaints from copyright holders that Apple is spending WAY too much time evaluating the proof that is supplied. If the complaints have become unmanageable, then something had to be done. Hopefully, in that case, this is a temporary band-aid and not Apple's ultimate solution.

EDIT: I don't know how reliable TUAW's info is re the eBook thing, but the dictionary rejection mentioned at Daring Fireball (which was a prolonged process, not a one-off error) is ABSURD!

 

[Lesser Evets]

Not necessarily. First, you engage in a preemptive ad hominem attack by implying that Kindle users are "haters". Second, you imply that the only choice is either a Kindle or a tablet (false choices).

Actually, you should re-read my post and then realize how HARD you read in your own perceptions. My "haters" label wasn't intended to Kindle people, just Apple product haters. What you were assuming was coming out of your inner insecurities, so look inside yourself and take a chill pill. Buy a sense of humor, if needed.

 

[CylonGlitch]

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.

I was with this up until the iPhone. I hated reading PDF's or other file types on a computer. I still HATE reading them, I have to print them out. I recently tried to read an eBook on my MBP and found it annoying. But I read the SAME eBook on my iPhone and it was totally AWESOME!

If the iTablet is the same as the iPhone for reading, it will be great. It doesn't need to be eInk, nope, as long as it is done right. Actually I can't stand the look of eInk, it also bothers me.

 

[dejo]

we paid $99 for them to reject and give us a hard time, why is there a rating system but they reject you for your content

No matter what an app is rated, it is not allowed to infringe on someone else's copyright.

P.S. You are not a PC or a Mac (unless you really have a CPU inside you). You are just a user. "I'm a Mac. I'm a Meagan" said it best.

 

[*LTD*]

I don't know why everyone is upset. Apple's policy is no apps that intrude on their native iPhone apps.

Surely Apple is up to something and going to introduce books for the tablet or maybe struck a deal with Amazon or something.

As someone who wants that 'tablet' BAD, I see this as a great sign and rejecting e-book apps makes total sense to me.

Agreed.

Rule #1:

Nine times out of ten, always bet on Apple.

There is usually a method to their madness. This is the kind of company that approaches challenges and new avenues from a completely different angle and then unexpectedly comes up with amazing ideas.

Everyone needs to seriously chill. The same company that is really the only one innovating for the past 9 or so years isn't going to magically, inexplicably, shoot themselves in the foot with essentially the same management team they've had for years.

And the Mac fan sites on the ass-end of the internets that are home to a minor niche of Apple-complainers in no way constitute the average user. We're a minor breed. Let's not assume these issues actually have any kind of impact whatsoever on the Apple's average user base. You know, the one that is rendering them utterly recession-proof and responsible for record Mac sales, quarter after quarter.

 

[DaBrain]

OK, it's official: Apple is making their own e-book reader, possibly the rumored tablet.

Sure seems like it and I can't wait to see it!--)))

It's the most logical reason why they are getting rid of all the individual crap apps that are for only one book. Last time I looked there was a ton of them and out of control. Readers that supply legitimate content that can read multiple legal books are of course a different story and should be allowed. However, if Apple sets up their own ebook/magazine/newspaper/periodicals then why should they be forced to carry other companies material? Would Amazon carry Apple's content for their Kindle if Apple has their own store content like Amazon? I doubt it. So why should Apple carry Amazon stuff?

Yes it would be great to see universal ebooks that work with any software reader but with DRM and the Authors it just isn't going to happen.

 

[Vercingetorix]

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.

The App Store is a year old. Calling it "brand new territory" might have been a reasonable excuse six months ago, but by now I think that we have to assume that what we're seeing in the App Store is what Apple wants it to be. And it's becoming increasingly clear that it's an ecosystem which a lot of us don't want to support.

The question really boils down to this: do you want the device you carry around with you all the time to be a glorified iPod, or do you want it to be a little computer? They're really two different paradigms. Apple's shown us a glimpse of the latter, but now is apparently hellbent on limiting us to the former. And lots of us aren't going to be satisfied with that anymore. We expect to control our computers in ways that we wouldn't expect from an iPod.

Ebooks are a good example of this disconnect. Apple probably sees this as "we're going to pull book-reading functionality from the iPhone so that we can sell more tablets," but we see it as "how the hell can you tell me what I can't do with my computer?" Some people (most, even) probably won't care about that, but I can't see why anybody who cares about computer technology -- enthusiasts, developers, anybody -- would be satisfied with the way Apple is apparently choosing to develop this platform.

 

[cnorth3]

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?

Why should Apple be required to act as a publisher/distributor of your parents' book?

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

Agreed.

Rule #1:

Nine times out of ten, always bet on Apple.

There is usually a method to their madness. This is the kind of company that approaches challenges and new avenues from a completely different angle and then unexpectedly comes up with amazing ideas.

Everyone needs to seriously chill. The same company that is really the only one innovating for the past 9 or so years isn't going to magically, inexplicably, shoot themselves in the foot with essentially the same management team they've had for years.

And the Mac fan sites on the ass-end of the internets that are home to a minor niche of Apple-complainers in no way constitute the average user. We're a minor breed. Let's not assume these issues actually have any kind of impact whatsoever on the Apple's average user base. You know, the one that is rendering them utterly recession-proof and responsible for record Mac sales, quarter after quarter.

On a serious note who here is going to throw the hammer at the screen?

 

[MadIvan]

Oh boy. Apple is digging themselves into a nasty hole.

Actually I think MacRumors is digging themselves a nasty hole by picking up the comments of a developer with a grievance and posting it as truth. At this moment there are 409 pages of apps under the Books category on the app store. Clasics, Kindle, Shakespeare, B&N eReader, Stanza, etc. are all still there. How about we not freak out over something until we know it is actually happening.

 

[mambodancer]

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.

As of now, if you are referring to content like books that you downloaded from an eBook store, the only case where that can happen, and has, has been from Amazon and the Kindle re: the recent pulling of George Orwell's books, 1984 and Animal Farm. If you use Stanza or eReader, you can download the book you purchased in the ePub or PDF format and store them on your computer before uploading (or enabling sharing) these books to your iPhone. Currently, ePub, while an open standards format, supports DRM (not unlike Audible.com content) and I'd personally like them to be DRM free.

If you haven't done so already, I would recommend downloading the desktop version of Stanza and checking out its features and all the formats it supports. It is a very cool app on both the iPhone and the Desktop.

Finally, as long as books, magazines, etc. can be downloaded as pdfs, applications on the iPhone like FileMagnet and even Apples own iDisk application will always allow you to read these documents on your device.

 

[RyanR.]

First off it's Apple's company... They can do what they want(period). Don't like it don't by Apple's stuff.

Second, Your not seeing the big picture they don't want app's that are going to hurt them, now or in the future. I say the iTab is coming this time and it's gonna rock. I would say there will be a iRead app or it will be in with iTunes ...

my two pennies....

 

[cmfilms]

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.

Everybody needs to chill out. Do you have any idea how difficult it is review the rights for publication? Apple doesn't want to get dragged into endless lawsuits because they published a book without authorization. It's not the end of the world. I would see this less as a power move and rather a smart legal one.

 

[jasonbrennan]

We have always been at war with Eurasia.

I think that's their quote...