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

[chrono1081]

This is hardly surprising. It's been a rule since day one in the app store.

 

[Ledgem]

Perfectly describes Apple's current software design philosophy.

I hate to say it, but I agree. I had to Google for how to access the shuffle/repeat buttons in the music player in iOS 10... and even with an explanation, it wasn't totally clear to me at first. Apple built a lot of their reputation on "it just works" and having things be nice and simple. It's sad to see them getting away from that.

 

[garrick2007]

I actually was just a victim to this, someone trying to play games. Im just now discovering what was being used thanks to Mac Rumors. Seems fun right but it actually got to the point of serious. Of course photoshop always existed but when you put tools like these in simple petty peoples hands for a buck, bad things can happen. Apple needs to pull this ASAP.

 

[Tech198]

That's the right thing.

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

an app by putting words in people's mouths ? We do that anyway, its called The internet.


I can see Apple saying "This bubble is mine, and u cannot own it"

 

[Cineplex]

I actually was just a victim to this, someone trying to play games. Im just now discovering what was being used thanks to Mac Rumors. Seems fun right but it actually got to the point of serious. Of course photoshop always existed but when you put tools like these in simple petty peoples hands for a buck, bad things can happen. Apple needs to pull this ASAP.

LOL. What was so earth shattering? Which one of these pre-defined stickers got "serious"?

Thank god for MacRumors. You might have been seriously traumatized by these. Really though, I am curious to hear from a real life victim of a sticker app.

 

[tripmusic]

They're smart... they don't want to have the Apple name associated with something that could be used with malicious intentions. But, it takes away a little fun and creativity for some. Enter: Next teenager phone gimmick.

 

[PotatoLeekSoup]

If my friends and I are using this sticker pack among ourselves, we'd be "degrading" our personal user experiences. Are we not allowed to do that on the devices for which we paid for and own? We should let Apple dictate how we can use our devices?

This app or sticker pack or whatever is dumb.

It's primarily likely that this will be used to deceive (benignly or maliciously, whichever). If you start confusing people and they call up Apple saying that messages are being sent from their device without their consent, it will be a problem. This app is aping authenticity intentionally. It's not a big leap to see this eventually being used to scam.

 

[544263]

"Funny" like this are happening all the time. This is why I've stopped actively developing for iOS 2 years ago, best decision ever!

Any time invested developing for iOS platform is potentially a waste of time because it's a politically unstable platform. If your app becomes too successful and Apple doesn't like that fact, you're out. If they don't like your blue, red, green, pink - you're out. If they don't like you downloading content to keep your e-learning app up2date instead of downloading and storing offline - you're out.

Can only recommend developers to think very carefully if they really want to take that risk.

 

[C DM]

"Funny" like this are happening all the time. This is why I've stopped actively developing for iOS 2 years ago, best decision ever!

Any time invested developing for iOS platform is potentially a waste of time because it's a politically unstable platform. If your app becomes too successful and Apple doesn't like that fact, you're out. If they don't like your blue, red, green, pink - you're out. If they don't like you downloading content to keep your e-learning app up2date instead of downloading and storing offline - you're out.

Can only recommend developers to think very carefully if they really want to take that risk.

And yet plenty of them do just fine and have been over the years.

 

[CodeCowboy]

.

 

[frifra]

I actually was just a victim to this, someone trying to play games. Im just now discovering what was being used thanks to Mac Rumors. Seems fun right but it actually got to the point of serious. Of course photoshop always existed but when you put tools like these in simple petty peoples hands for a buck, bad things can happen. Apple needs to pull this ASAP.

A victim? Come on. You probably said someone was wrong, and then it appeared as: "You are 100% right".

Must have been terrible. Hope you recover soon.

The next outcry will come when he attaches a little piggy sticker to your message. Then: Stickers must be banned, my messages were molested by stickers....

 

[davetheduke]

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.

Joke is not the word!