Sticker App 'Phoneys' Nixed by Apple for Mimicking Messages Chat Bubble Design

[MacRumors]

Over the past week, a sticker pack that mimics the design of the iconic bubbles in the Messages app has rocketed to the top of the Messages App Store charts, but its popularity will be short-lived as Apple is going to pull it from the App Store.

Phoneys, currently the number two paid app in the Messages App Store in the United States, features chat bubble stickers that you can place over real messages, making it look like friends and family have said humorous things they didn't actually say. Examples include "You're my hero," "The sports team I pull for sucks," and "My political views are totally wrong."

Given the popularity of Phoneys, it has, unsurprisingly, attracted Apple's attention, and the Cupertino company has taken issue with the app. In a phone call, an Apple employee told Phoneys developer Adam Howell that his sticker pack can't use the San Francisco font and it can't emulate the look of Messages chat bubbles. Furthermore, Apple said "prank" apps are not allowed in the App Store.

Apple's lawyers weren't happy that Phoneys got through the review process. The stickers couldn't be blue or green, they couldn't use San Francisco as the typeface, and the app could no longer be marketed as a "prank" app, because Apple doesn't approve prank apps (even though I myself had never used the word "prank" when marketing Phoneys, others did, and I certainly understood where he was coming from).

Apple is not pulling the app from the App Store immediately, but has given Howell a week to change the look of the app so that the text bubbles no longer resemble Messages chat bubbles. He's been asked to change them to "comic book cartoon bubbles," and if that doesn't happen, Phoneys will be removed by Apple.

Howell has not yet decided whether he'll leave the app as is for the people who already purchased it or if he'll update it with a new look as instructed by Apple so that he can continue providing updates and new content going forward.

Phoneys continues to be available from the App Store in its current incarnation for $0.99 [Direct Link], but potential buyers should know that it's either never going to see another update or it'll be updated to look significantly different.

Article Link: Sticker App 'Phoneys' Nixed by Apple for Mimicking Messages Chat Bubble Design

 

[Spink10]

Apple "Stop copying our gimmicky features!"

 

[pwhitehead]

Is #apple really taking ownership of a shape and a color?

 

[djcerla]

That's the right thing.

This app could, and would, end up used very maliciously.

 

[Nunyabinez]

Is #apple really taking ownership of a shape and a color?

For use on THEIR platform. Why yes they are and can.

 

[wdowell]

For heaven's sake. Honestly, it's not like you can generate unlimited messages. I have it. My friends soon worked it out.

 

[macfacts]

Is #apple really taking ownership of a shape and a color?

You forgot font style and size

 

[RedOrchestra]

So much for Apple's vigourous / rigourous vetting of Apps before releasing.

 

[slimothy]

I wish we could customize the messages.

 

[FightTheFuture]

So much for Apple's vigourous / rigourous vetting of Apps before releasing.

Of course this isn't the first time, and it certainly won't be the last.

 

[31 Flavas]

Is #apple really taking ownership of a shape and a color?

Because there is no way this app could possibly cause problems. It clearly must be because Apple is defending their invention of the color blue and green and the chat bubble shape.

 

[itsmilo]

It got 2 stars and actually costs 0.99$

Last minute sale?

 

[reden]

Apple: Lets allow people to have fun with our Messages app! Okay, not that much fun.

 

[enthusiastic]

That's the right thing.

This app could, and would, end up used very maliciously.

I drove my friend mad the other day. He eventually figured it out. It was super fun!

 

[coolfactor]

Is #apple really taking ownership of a shape and a color?

While it's entertaining to think about, that's not the point, is it? This is about degrading the user experience through deceptive "stickers". Makes perfect sense why Apple would disapprove of that, and you would, too, if you were in Apple's shoes.

 

[penajmz]

Well that sucks. I submitted a sticker app and it has been "in review" for two days. A couple of the stickers kinda mimick the iMessage style. I am guessing it will be rejected. Great!

 

[RedOrchestra]

but potential buyers should know that it's either never going to see another update

Who cares, you bought it up front ... you've got the App and can continue to use it. Just don't update or you'll lose the original.

 

[Waxhead138]

No prank apps allowed in the App Store huh? Go look up "Caller ID Spoof" and see how many jillions of choices you get. And most of them don't even hide it....in fact it's advertised as a pranking app in many cases.

That bs reasoning just makes them look super super petty. Call it what it is and leave it at that: you don't want others emulating your look. Period.

 

[Larry The L]

So much for Apple's vigourous / rigourous vetting of Apps before releasing.

Obviously Apple isn't quite as perfect as you are. For Apple not to be as perfect as you are simply means that Apple will fail. And this never would have gotten through if Steve Jobs were alive and doing it right. So there!!

 

[Kaibelf]

Is #apple really taking ownership of a shape and a color?

Yes, and they are legally right to trademark trade design. Exhibit A:

 

[SeaFox]

Furthermore, Apple said "prank" apps are not allowed in the App Store.

Apparently fart apps are serious business.

 

[Kaibelf]

That's the right thing.

This app could, and would, end up used very maliciously.

^THIS.

Someone could mock up a fake conversation and use it for any number of things, including fake evidence or inciting issues with others and it would be very hard to disprove due to the encryption of iMessage.

 

[Sanlitun]

Immediately purchased before the lock.

 

[Jessica Lares]

http://www.apple.com/legal/intellectual-property/trademark/appletmlist.html

A trademark can be a word, phrase, symbol, or design that distinguishes the source of the goods or services. Also, as trade dress, it can be the appearance of a product or its packaging, including size, shape, color, texture, graphics, and appearance (e.g, retail store or website).

 

[Carlanga]

Is #apple really taking ownership of a shape and a color?

Not really, the issue here is the receiver can't distinguish between real and a joke. If the app only worked w the person that download it then it's fine, but if it confuses people that don't have it as something real then it should be removed to avoid problems.