Apple Reverses Course on iOS 8 Notification Center Calculators

[MacRumors]

Yesterday, Apple told PCalc developer James Thomson that the Notification Center widget portion of his popular calculator app PCalc would need to be removed, as Notification Center widgets "cannot perform any calculations."

Following significant media coverage of the issue, Apple has now reversed course on the decision and according to an Apple spokesperson that spoke to TechCrunch, both PCalc and its Notification Center widget will be allowed to remain in the App Store, along with all other apps that contain calculator widgets.

The initial decision to remove Pcalc's widget was reportedly the result of a use case that Apple had not anticipated. Because it was not within the guidelines, an App Store reviewer told Thomson the functionality would need to be changed or it would be pulled from the App Store. It's likely the attention the removal received sparked a deeper review of the app, leading to the policy change.

Thomson's PCalc app was one of the first apps to be updated for iOS 8 and following its release, it was lauded for its convenient and unique use of the Notification Center in App Store reviews and in iOS 8 coverage from a variety of sites.

Apple itself features PCalc's Notification Center widget in multiple places in the App Store, including a section called "Extend Your Apps" featuring apps with unique widgets, and a "Great Apps and Games for iOS 8" section, which also features a selection of interesting Notification Center widgets.

PCalc can be downloaded from the App Store for $9.99. [Direct Link]

PCalc Lite, a free version of the PCalc app, also includes the Notification Center widget. [Direct Link]

Update 10:12 AM PT: PCalc developer James Thompson has received a phone call from Apple confirming that the PCalc widget will be allowed to remain intact.

Article Link: Apple Reverses Course on iOS 8 Notification Center Calculators

 

[Blue Fox]

I doubt this was "media coverage" that spawned this, but rather, other details that needed to be taken care of and worked out before Apple took an official stance on it.

 

[macintologist]

Tim Cook: A kindler, gentler Apple.

 

[iCore24]

Yes theres still hope for being more open sourced!

 

[flash84x]

Glad to see they can realize their mistakes and act quickly on correcting them.

 

[Rogifan]

I doubt this was "media coverage" that spawned this, but rather, other details that needed to be taken care of and worked out before Apple took an official stance on it.

As is usually the case.

 

[santaliqueur]

That sucks. PCalc is the best calculator for iOS and OS X. Limiting its functionality is a bad move, Apple.

 

[EnderTW]

I'll be honest. It doesn't look good in the notification area. I totally understood why apple would want control over what is in there.

Even if it's a choice. It hurts apples branding and messaging when someone goes out and loads their notification widgets to the brim. To the unexpecting they may think that's apples design.

This is one area I hope apple does retain control.

 

[chrfr]

That sucks. PCalc is the best calculator for iOS and OS X. Limiting its functionality is a bad move, Apple.

Right. And now they aren't limiting it.

 

[furi0usbee]

The initial decision to remove Pcalc's widget was reportedly the result of a use case that Apple had not anticipated.

Yeah, the result was "we include a stock calculator as a default widget, get that other one out of here." But then someone said, "guys, it's only a calculator." And it was let back in.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

What's the difference between the lite and full version of this app?

 

[thingstoponder]

Good. Things like that leave me shaking my head.

Another thing is that I cannot install any version of iwork or ilife on brand new 4S because I don't want to update to iOS 8. They let you install old version for other apps.

 

[The-Pro]

dont understand why you would want to spend 10$ on a calculator widget.
you can get WDGTS app for free that has more functions and also a calculator.

 

[furi0usbee]

I have almost every app turned off from Notification Center. I NEVER want to be notified, other than Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders, Wanderlust. Everything else, don't bother me.

Notification Center will go the way of Dashboard.

 

[Sigspd]

That sucks. PCalc is the best calculator for iOS and OS X. Limiting its functionality is a bad move, Apple.

Ummm, they didn't limit the functionality. I am happy they did this, I just got PCalc yesterday. To bad other companies can't move this fast.

 

[dtrobson099]

This is great news! Was planning on creating a specialized app that performs calculations in the widget area to eliminate app switching needs - glad I don't have to scrap those plans.

 

[furi0usbee]

What's the difference between the lite and full version of this app?

The lite version doesn't multiply

 

[GrinningShark]

Funny thing is that on OS X Apple has a calculator widget in the notification panel, however on iOS they don't (not that I could find). Guess internally there is some conflict also.

 

[rorschach]

Yeah this one made no sense, seeing as: Apple has a Calculator widget in the OS X NC, and...they promoted it as a Featured App under a dedicated section for widgets!

 

[thingstoponder]

I'll be honest. It doesn't look good in the notification area. I totally understood why apple would want control over what is in there.

Even if it's a choice. It hurts apples branding and messaging when someone goes out and loads their notification widgets to the brim. To the unexpecting they may think that's apples design.

This is one area I hope apple does retain control.

Huh? It looks just as good as the default one.

By that logic apple shouldn't allow any 3rd party apps because people could mistake it as apple's design.

 

[stewy]

I'll be honest. It doesn't look good in the notification area. I totally understood why apple would want control over what is in there.

Even if it's a choice. It hurts apples branding and messaging when someone goes out and loads their notification widgets to the brim. To the unexpecting they may think that's apples design.

This is one area I hope apple does retain control.

But if you own your device shouldn't you able to set it up the way you want?

 

[furi0usbee]

This is great news! Was planning on creating a specialized app that performs calculations in the widget area to eliminate app switching needs - glad I don't have to scrap those plans.

Now if only I can get Safari, Mail, Aperture, iTunes, Transmit, Coda, Ember, and Pixelmator widgets, I'd never have to leave the Notification Center.

 

[pdaholic]

Wow, Apple isn't a control-freak tyrant after all.

Now, BRING BACK LAUNCHER!

 

[white4s]

how is that $10? what a complete waste

apple's calculator does more than enough and you can access it from the control center

 

[iolinux333]

But if you own your device shouldn't you able to set it up the way you want?

Careful there son. Wrongheaded thinking like that will lead you astray of the Apple Fold in all it's Great Wisdom