Comments on: Apple to developer: No, you pull MY finger

Another rejected iPhone application raises the question of just how Apple decides which applications are useful, if juvenile, and which aren't.

[wilbertohernandez]

Apple needs a reputation to maintain and I believe it should enforce the types of applications that are being created for the iPhone. It is already bad enough, that they slashed the price down to half, so that any hoodlum can own an iPhone, so that he can use it to conduct illicit business on it. I quite frankly believe that Apple should sell their iPhones at least twice as much as its current price or more. We all know it is worth it, unfortunately that is not the case, so the least they could do at this point is try to keep stupid useless applications off of it, such as this one.

[Vegaman_Dan]

And while we're at it, we should make sure that all applications for purchase of an iPhone include a background check to make sure they don't have any embarassing family secrets, only come from white families with long pedigrees, lots of money, and belong to the 'right society.' We woudln't want just ANYONE to buy an iPhone, after all. They should only be sold to those people who deserve them.

And if you believe that, then this is a very sorry world indeed.

[ozzymrjack]

he shood have added more sound effects and more animations and funny phrases with it and it would be the best app ever written!!! =D i would get it if i had an iphone or ipod touch!

[artistjoh]

This is hardly an issue of censorship at all. While it is possible to imagine a carefully timed fart could inject some humor into a dull sermon somewhere sometime realistically only a child or other poorly socialized individual would have the lack of class or etiquette to do so.

A farting app lacks class, it lacks decorum, and it does not belong on a device that aspires to a high level of quality. Rights to free expression need to be defended but a farting application does not fall under any category of opinion or expression that needs defending. It is like laws against spitting. You might think it funny and your right, it doesn't harm anyone etc. But really it is just plain bad manners to spit or fart gratuitously, even on the phone.

[chowfun]

1. This is not censorship. Just monopolistic behavior.
2. Apple fans get what they pay for. Buy apple products and get a tightly controlled environment.
3. Don't act as though other companies are better or worse. Microsoft, Google, Verizon, cable companies, etc. are all the same.

[faceless128]

i would never buy or use this, just like i would never buy or use that i am rich app. it still sucks that apple seems to randomly accept and reject software, why would anyone want to work on an app for the iphone when apple can say no with a crappy reason?

[molkood]

Well actually, I have store and choose exactly WHAT I WANT TO SELL IN IT.
I am not interested in cheap shoddy goods or those people who would prefer that to quality.
Just what is wrong with that?
Apple is right on this one.

[t_lindenmuth]

Calling code that makes your (several hundred dollar) phone sound like it needs to take a s*** an 'app' is like calling Bill O'Reily a newscaster. I assume this crap was free. If the young gentleman filmed himself driving three inch nails into his forehead, however, I'd pay for THAT.

[Seaspray0]

You bought a phone with lousy 3G reception, where there is only one place to get applications. The development platform isn't open, the applications are censored, and the company that sold you the phone extorts 30% of the profit off each app sold. You call it "inovation".

[k-os]

Come on Apple... lighten up! I think you would be surprised at the breadth of appeal for a harmless, fun app like Pull my Finger. We live in a stressful world, sometimes even sophomoric humor can give us a chuckle when we need it most. Is that SO wrong?? Maybe if you changed the name to "Avoid the Burrito Special"?

[sting7k]

Not unexpected from Apple at all. They are the kings of fun limiting, just look at all the stuff not on the iPhone. The app store is full of useless apps and they reject this app saying it has no use. This has a use, it makes you laugh. Other ones are simply quite useless and lame. I don't get it, they must want to protect the childern those terrible terrible sounds.

[llungster]

Poor iPhone users. First they get to overpay for a phone with a lousy wireless carrier. Then they get censored. Serves them right for following the Apple hype.

[JohannesDD]

I. Want. This. App!
How juvenile it may be, I find it great!
Luckily some people in this world still have humor :p

[picnichouse]

Tom - this is worse than Apple removing NetShare. As much as I loved that app, it was clearly in violation to the terms of service.

This is just scary, allowing Apple to arbitrarily determine what has utility. There's already a proven system in place for determine utility: the market.

There's an easy way to nip this in the bud. Let's get a ton of people to pledge to download Pull My Finger (should it be accepted), debunking the "limited utility" claim: http://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/apple-please-allow-pull-my-finger-into-the-app-store

- Andrew

[b_baggins]

Right. Because, of course, Apple and the iPhone and the App store are completely outside of any market force whatsoever.

If Apple pushes it too far, iPhone sales will drop. Thus your market will have spoken.

[andy1142]

With all this phone is capable of, if I had one, this would be the first app I downloaded. I know, i know, i'm immature....bite me. It's my money and for my money I demand fart jokes!

[BLipman72]

How can Apple play big brother after that commerical aired from the superbowl. How hypocritical they seem now. Apple, people above 21 actually use your product and some of us also have a sense of humor. They deserve to be picked apart by a team of lawyers and left for dead. Freedom of speech and expression is built into this lands constitution and this is a clear violation. I would definately download this onto my device. I'm waiting for use of the kill switch cause when certain apps dissapear from my itouch its on. They have no right to say what i feel is going to offend me cause it is different for every person. If you don't like it delete it and don't use it. The pure fact that someone else makes that desion for me makes me not want to buy apple again.

[BLipman72]

Just a thought, how about putting these apps in a seperate section instead of removing them. Post a message on itunes indicating that Apple is not responsible for the content and then leave it to the consumer to browse with care. In previous posts they mentioned some things that apple should be looking at like if the app crashes or if the app crashes the device. I can understand prolonging posting an app because of shotty development but not denying the app because of its content. Like i said before if you don't like something dont use it or delete it.

[Uzbekistani]

I think there is a fundamental misunderstanding of a concept of ownership among those who are supporting Apple?s move to reject the application: once I buy a gadget, it should be up to me to decide what applications I run on that gadget. I?m not leasing an Iphone (where restrictions would make sense), I?m acquiring ownership over it by buying it, hence, Apple should either allow installing third-party applications on the gadget or allow any developer sell his/her application(s) through AppStore. Apple (and everyone who supports it) is so blinded by its love to itself (to Apple, in case of Apple fanboys and girls) that it seems to believe that by buying Apple?s products, people automatically assume Apple?s identity and values. Sounds like 1984. To all Apple fanboys: you should all probably get turtlenecks, jeans and New Balance shoes and dress like that everyday, as it seems you are ready to give your personality, your free will for a questionable perk of ?Apple identity?. To all those who believe that it?s so morally good of Apple to pull a plug on a fart joke, don?t forget that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

[vhlaxman]

Why is apple crazy as republicans can i choose what i want. If this app screws up the iphone then its right to boot it out of the store..... why do u make decisions for me !!! bloddy nerd lacks sense of humor whoever denied it.

[urr_quasdim]

In which of Apple Apps' categories would this magnifiscent stinkware fit? Maybe a new one is needed here. How about "Assumptions"? I truly believe that Apple was correct in rejecting this fartastic software. There is a limit to every nonsense and I don't blame Apple for trying to keep a clean, meaningful operation. They won't reject a working app if it is a decent addition to the library. This one, however, doesn't fit the bill by a long shot!
And just for the record: it took only 29 minutes to create this remarkable app, thanks to the advent of parallel processing; for every sound a different volunteer was utilized. At a given time, each ate his/her special food for the occasion, tailor made for quick gas build-up. While they were bloating and floating between floor and ceiling, their products were individually and digitally recorded in close vicinity to the source so as to avoid acoustic interference from the other contributors. Brilliant! There was only one mishap: all windows were shut to prevent outside noise from contaminating the assymphony, resulting in one technician fainting from inhaling the right stuff at the wrong time...

[JimMcDish]

LOL, you go there Apple developer, you go!

Jiff
www.anonymize.kr.tc