Apple approves Podcaster-like iPhone app

The developer behind Podcaster--who has excellent taste in podcasts--has a similar application that apparently doesn't anger Apple.

(Credit: RSS Player)

The iPhone developer behind Podcaster has found a way to get into Apple's App Store without invoking the wrath of iPhone Inspector No. 5.

The developer, who has a private Blogger profile but appears to go by Alex according to Uneasy Silence, has a new application called RSS Player that duplicates the basic function of Podcaster--letting you download podcasts to your iPhone or iPod Touch--but without some of the features that Apple appears to have disliked. For example, you can't search for podcasts through the app, you have to subscribe to the RSS feed for those podcasts.

Back in September, Apple rejected an iPhone application called Podcaster that allowed you to search for podcasts and download them to your device, which was a feature Apple later added to the iPhone. That was one of the first rejected apps to highlight iPhone developer frustration over a lack of communication concerning which technologies and features were forbidden from the App Store, and why.

The iPhone application review process still seems a bit nebulous, but the iPhone application business itself is booming. Apple announced two weeks ago that 15,000 applications are available on the App Store, and that those applications have been downloaded 500 million times, just six months after the store opened for business.

[getwired]

Apple needs to tread lightly here. By owning the entire channel and the platform in the world's fastest growing smartphone, they aren't that far away from an antitrust lawsuit.

[myles taylor]

They are very far away from it. Don't rule out Blackberry, Android, and Windows Mobile.

Okay I don't get the anti-trust thing. Yea, it makes sense sometimes, but how come they can get punished for having the most popular device? Also, Windows has had what, 80%+ of the OS market-share?

[theillien]

For some reason I can't reply to myles taylor's comment directly so I have to reply to this one.

Myles, you're confused about the antitrust aspect. It isn't a matter of not having other smartphones to choose from. Think of it in the same terms that Microsoft has continuously been in trouble over. The inclusion of numerous technologies and basically muscling out any competing technology is where the antitrust problems would stem from. By not allowing competing applications to be sold because Apple wants to ensure use of their own similar functionality is bound to result in some kind of lawsuit.

[hhs2112]

Myles asks, "how come they can get punished for having the most popular device?" - the same way Microsoft was punished for having the most popular OS!

MS was fined, in a specific instance, for "bundling" software (Windows Media Player, for example) wherein the court decided that by including certain apps/features MS was effectively limiting competition (whether the argument is valid will be a debate for the ages..). MS has an app which provides functionality similar to applications openly available from any number of vendors and they were dinged by the EU as being anti-competitive. Apple however, isn't even letting the competing apps into the marketplace! They?re effectively saying, ?No, you can?t distribute your app because it competes with, a) something we already have, or b) something which we *plan* on having in the future. Clear cut reasons for exclusion aren?t offered and no visibility is provided into Apple?s enhancement roadmap.

Imagine if MS came out tomorrow and said that ALL windows apps MUST be purchased through the MS Store and RealPlayer, Firefox, OpenOffice, etc. won?t be available to consumers because they compete with our existing ? or future - products! In addition, we may (will?) arbitrarily pull the app if we decide it applies to a space in which we plan to operate - someday. Oh, and by the way, we get 40%.

How is the app store good for anyone other than Steve's private banker?

[linuxgeek90]

"which was a feature Apple later added to the iPhone."

So maybe we can find out if APPL plans to add cut+paste, by making a cut&paste app?

(I know it can't be done, just sayin')

[rnaoncfixd]

It seems that ever since Steve Jobs went on hiatus, there have been a lot more approvals of store apps. Makes me wonder...

[Vegaman_Dan]

Remember that Apple originally approved Podcaster as well. It was only later that they removed it citing violations... then released the same features in their own updated apps.

So as nice as this may be, I wouldn't place any bets on this app being around six months from now either.

[Michael-Black]

That's why it's important that you purchase the program now. I bought it last night and after some initial connection problems were fixed, the app works great. It's a bit cumbersome having to manually input the RSS feeds, but hopefully he'll be able to add those in gradually. He stated in an email to BOL that he will gradually add some of those stripped features back in.

[theillien]

Yet another reason I've decided to purchase a G1 at the end of my current contract instead of an iPhone.

[kylebuttermore]

leave it to apple to make everything harder... why cant they just approve apps that are good, like customization apps, and REAL podcast apps.

[boy444]

I know apple way. Apple will only let the apps in if they make you want there thimg. Takie in why they now gave us new web browsers.