Apple Rejects iOS App for Citing Pebble Support in App Store Description [Updated]

[duervo]

It probably wasn't even rejected. Timing suggests the developer was seeking free publicity with the apple watch craze.

This was my first thought when reading this as well.

Only one dev with something rejected due to this reason, and we learn about it only from the dev? *suspicious side-long glance*

 

[Madmic23]

They aren't blocking approval of this app for supporting a competitor. Just for advertising it. Big, big difference. Why should any store, digital or physical, have to include advertising supporting for a competitor?

So does this mean that Wal-Mart or Best Buy should force Apple to not mention the App Store or iTunes store in their product information? They sell Apple products that encourage people to shop in Apple's digital store.

 

[duervo]

So does this mean that Wal-Mart or Best Buy should force Apple to not mention the App Store or iTunes store in their product information? They sell Apple products that encourage people to shop in Apple's digital store.

That's hardly an accurate comparison. I think this is more appropriate, and matches the pattern exhibited in this case:

"So does this mean that Walmart should force Apple to not mention Best Buy in their product information that's on display in Walmart stores?"

 

[redsoxunixgeek]

How is this not an anti-competitive business practice? Come on, Apple!

Because our lawyers may or may not have said it wasn't.

 

[elmateo487]

They should not block this app for mentioning a competing product. The Apple Launch is such a mess that it would really be hard to call it a competing product yet. So far it is only a vapor watch.

Wait what?

 

[Michael Goff]

How is this not an anti-competitive business practice? Come on, Apple!

AFAIK, most anti-competitive laws are focused on monopolies and majority players. Apple is not a majority player in almost any market.

 

[robertjweber]

Apple is applying their 3.1 policy "Apps or metadata that mentions the name of any other mobile platform will be rejected" more broadly than just Pebble Watches lately. Specifically, lots of apps and games are being rejected due to references in ads to that show compatibility with Google Play or Windows. See more details on recent post I wrote here- http://www.pocketgamer.biz/comment-and-opinion/61139/apple-rejecting-multi-platform-ads/

 

[kdarling]

Apple...

"Where every day has turned out to be like Nineteen Eighty-Four."

(http://www.pidjin.net/2010/04/11/stop-me-if-i-can/)