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Apple's App Store Rejection Policies Raise Concerns
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If Apple is going to insist on authorizing Applications, they need to make their policies more clear on what they accept and don't accept. Atleast by making a list of what they don't accept instead of putting it into the EULA where no one will read it.
This is completely out of order by Apple - they should in no way be free to block applications because they "duplicate existing functionality" - it's for the market to decide if they want the apps, not Apple. I am all for Apple vetting the apps to make sure they are safe and comply with the SDK guidelines (even if they are a bit too strict) because this is clear, above board and theoretically makes the iPhone platform safe.
However, it is not OK for them to block applications simply because they feel like it or for some arbitrary "duplicates existing functionality" reason:
However, it is not OK for them to block applications simply because they feel like it or for some arbitrary "duplicates existing functionality" reason:
I want that app. I've been waiting for that kind of functionality ever since podcasts started being produced.
Apple really F-ed up here. It demonstrates how unbalanced the developer agreement is. Having the power to reject an app for any reason they feel like is not acceptable. If Apple doesn't properly define the rules, it will definitely scare the talented developers away from this platform, and all we'll see are more crappy useless apps that have already flooded the app store.
Duplicates? Like the multiple calculator apps and notes-like apps that were allowed to be released?
Apple needs to tread carefully here, and needs to come out with a better explanation for this.
And fanbois, just stop it. You look foolish trying to defend this.
Non-competition clauses are illegal in California when it comes to Employment Agreements. I wonder what California courts would think about this situation?
Apple really F-ed up here. It demonstrates how unbalanced the developer agreement is. Having the power to reject an app for any reason they feel like is not acceptable. If Apple doesn't properly define the rules, it will definitely scare the talented developers away from this platform, and all we'll see are more crappy useless apps that have already flooded the app store.
Duplicates? Like the multiple calculator apps and notes-like apps that were allowed to be released?
Apple needs to tread carefully here, and needs to come out with a better explanation for this.
And fanbois, just stop it. You look foolish trying to defend this.
Non-competition clauses are illegal in California when it comes to Employment Agreements. I wonder what California courts would think about this situation?
Good, now everyone go make apps for Symbian!
If Apple continue down this road, developers will get nervous and abandon iPhone. Apple need to tread very carefully.
Its a shame that Symbian development is a complete and utter pain in the ass to develop for, the API does it no favours at all ( some one described it as S&M!!). It really needs something along the lines of XCode.
They did build on top of Eclipse, but its still not perfect, you need to do more grunt work than is really necessary.
Symbian and others should highlight that they don't control development, nor nanny their users, and are developer friendly. They can ride the wave of iPhone app popularity to increase interest in their own platform.
Good, now everyone go make apps for Symbian!
No... everyone go an make applications for Android!
I need apps for my next phone. Do you think so? There's still lots of money in it. I think the quality and diversity of the apps in the store will suffer, because a lot of things "Apple might not like" wont even get developed for the iPhone.
Not all won't, but if, Apple continue like this, the number that do, will be noticeable.
A media blacklash that throws things out of proportion ( because the media always do ) will quicken this pace.. or will see Apple's policy changes.
I'm very sure that Android will be very popular. If my phone didn't die, I was planning to wait out for an Android phone.No... everyone go an make applications for Android!
If this was the reason, they should have stated it. They stated an entirely different reason.
Because with their broken standards, Microsoft forced developers to code for the majority web platform, conveniently creating an environment where many web pages would only render properly on their browser. They also deeply hooked IE into the system. All told, you couldn't just delete IE and replace it with another browser of your choice, and expect the internet to work.
I appear to have attacked and defended Apple in the same post!
All parts of the internet
I try actualy find some app for podcast on itunes.
But podcast isnt it just RSS for video or audio file. i use i google to listen BCC newspod.
but real app would be nice btw i dont want have for all my podcast special app like dignation.
Come on apple I really like the podcast app. I dont see any reason why i should get latest news from pc when I have all the parts of the internet in my pocket
I try actualy find some app for podcast on itunes.
But podcast isnt it just RSS for video or audio file. i use i google to listen BCC newspod.
but real app would be nice btw i dont want have for all my podcast special app like dignation.
Come on apple I really like the podcast app. I dont see any reason why i should get latest news from pc when I have all the parts of the internet in my pocket
Really?
I think Android will be a total bust.
Unstable, juvenile and silly compared to the iPhone and the BB.
Appealing to a very small group of hobbyists.
We can complain all day on here, but how do we take our complaints en masse directly to Apple? This is an absurd practice and needs to stop!
juvenile, silly and unstable? Explain ( Please don't quote any video prototypes / proof of concepts - they aren't fully ready for consumer use ).
The iPhone hasn't been exactly stable - there's been lots of complaints about that.
Android has had a lot of interest from carriers and manufacturers, it has enough weight to make a significant impact.
Dont worry!
In fact, I would be more concerned, if I would find myself constantly defending OR attacking a single company
In my opinion neither point has any merit.
If a developer writes a better application than Apple then we should have the choice of using it or even paying for it if we as users feel it has real value.
What if they don't get around to writing it for another year as we've seen with the delay of most notably copy/paste.
Bandwidth.
YouTube takes up far more bandwidth than any podcast application ever could.
If I were to fashion a guess... if he took the ability to pull podcasts over 3G/edge out of his app and made it wifi only (a simple thing to do), then he would probably get approval for the app.
Of course, I would much rather his program write and link the podcasts into the iPod just like the iTMS does for music purchased over wifi, but hey... we can't always get what we want.
Of course, I would much rather his program write and link the podcasts into the iPod just like the iTMS does for music purchased over wifi, but hey... we can't always get what we want.
I certainly would like to know how old most of you are here? I'm getting the feeling it's nothing but a bunch of immature 12-16 yr olds here. Most of you haven't experienced real life yet. If you work for a company and everything seems to be going well (as you think it is) the company can still fire you for any reason rather it makes sense to you or not.
I'm laughing at the people who are saying, "Apple should be careful as they will scare off developers". I don't think so! People are dying to find a job every single day of the year so if a company can fire you (which prohibits you from displaying your talents) the company is not at all worried that they will scare off people looking to work for their company.
Developers are just like anyone else looking for a job and the app store is a great vehicle for them to showcase their work and to make money. Apple does not need to please the developers in order for them to keep from losing them. 2 months ago there was no app store and now there are hundreds of applications from 3rd party developers.
Some of you need to grow up, Apple is in no danger of losing developers for the app store. There are more developers in line for the app store than for any other smart phone.
I'm laughing at the people who are saying, "Apple should be careful as they will scare off developers". I don't think so! People are dying to find a job every single day of the year so if a company can fire you (which prohibits you from displaying your talents) the company is not at all worried that they will scare off people looking to work for their company.
Developers are just like anyone else looking for a job and the app store is a great vehicle for them to showcase their work and to make money. Apple does not need to please the developers in order for them to keep from losing them. 2 months ago there was no app store and now there are hundreds of applications from 3rd party developers.
Some of you need to grow up, Apple is in no danger of losing developers for the app store. There are more developers in line for the app store than for any other smart phone.
Age? Why bring that into this? Saying that is only going to derail this topic.
If Apple is turning down people's work with a vague reason for doing so (as Arn said), although the App Store is a great way to make money if you create a worth while app, you don't think at all that people might be put off developing for the iPhone if in the back of their minds there is the paranoia that Apple might not even accept their application?
A lot of the developers on the store have done this in their free time, and without them, the App Store wouldn't be so full of choices. The varied number one application was Koi Pond. You think anyone else would bring out fun applications like that if they had any doubt that Apple would reject them?
Amen! If there was ever a fear of Apple becoming Big Brother, this is it. Apple should be monitoring apps for quality (does the app crash?, does it crash other apps? does it crash the iPhone?), malware and privacy abuse. Content should NOT be a factor. If the app is "adult" slap and explicit tag on it and move on. That Comicbook Reader looked great! They rejected it. Apple has been handling the App Store horribly. They need to open the damn thing up. If this is really the way they are going to run it, jailbreaking seems to be the way to go.
Apple=Microsoft
I blame the developers, Apple can do no wrong!
Just kidding.
One day you guys are going to finally realize that Apple is 100% as evil as Microsoft... The only difference between them is size, and the image they've successfully created as being the David in David vs. Goliath.
I blame the developers, Apple can do no wrong!
Just kidding.
One day you guys are going to finally realize that Apple is 100% as evil as Microsoft... The only difference between them is size, and the image they've successfully created as being the David in David vs. Goliath.
OK, you are very wise and mature. You don't think companies need to worry about attracting good employees? Did you learn that in college?