Comments on: This week in Apple App Store angst

Developers are still wondering what Apple considers improper iPhone applications, and now might not even be able to compare rejection notes in hopes of figuring that out.

[timber2005]

Picture this... you've spent time and money developing an app. You created a blog, updated through its creation. Final blog says "It's been submitted to apple". But you've been informed that it won't be accepted... now you can't tell everyone who's been following it's been denied, or at least to WHY.

Jailbreaking once again looks more and more appealing. Now you can get apps that Apple approves of... and apps that they don't.
Even if something "duplicates functionality" isn't that one of the basic 10 principals of economics? Something about Absolute and Compatative advantage, one does one thing better, then it will be chosen by comsumers more often?

[skillingssucks]

Forget "jailbreaking" and just develop for Android instead.

[skellener]

[ThatGuy2-1]

Well then if Apple keep rejecting, they should offer it through the "other" parties ... hint hint

Also, there's an app out there that DOES in fact let you MMS on the iPhone (not through AppStore) but guess what, AT&T doesn't let you MMS on an iPhone plan ... seems like it's a scam by both parties here. Don't even get me going on Video and Flash support

[ThatGuy2-1]

Well then if Apple keep rejecting, they should offer it through the "other" parties ... hint hint

Also, there's an app out there that DOES in fact let you MMS on the iPhone (not through AppStore) but guess what, AT&T doesn't let you MMS on an iPhone plan ... seems like it's a scam by both parties here. Don't even get me going on Video and Flash support

[inachu]

Apple is not fair at all on this APP STORE policy. What about games that compete against each other?
Sorry! Your game is very similar to a game already hosted by our APP STORE.

If APPLE had full control of the internet then there would be no competition against ID SOFTWARE.
Wolfenstien uses 3D interface..... Some future 3D game wants to be sold at APPLE.
Rejection letter. Sorry we already have a 3D game that functions like yours and does many similar things like powerups and health packs and secret walls.
Put APPLE Policy against itself then OSx would not be sold as there is already a DOS 6.22 operating system/Windows 3.11

APPLE STORE IS CHOKING COMPETITION PERIOD.

[joetesta70]

Google = OPEN
Apple = CLO$ED. Developing for Apple sounds like a money losing proposition.

Where's the Mac commercial for the guy who can't sell his app?

[goodspeed8701]

well soon their iphonewill die. the ipod is dying as zune is getting more hype this days. and the market share for the zune is rising. lets just wait for something good to come out then they will have their self to blame.

i hardly beliv wapple was the first computers and how come m$ kick their ass so bad that the ipod was the device to save their company? well they have this habbit of keeping pple in bondage just cause you are using their product u can not do or have wateva u want on it. guess wat i sold my nano for $30 so i can get 2months subscription after i got a zune.

[tacit]

Um...

"MacRumors is reporting that Apple is now declaring that the rejection letters sent to iPhone developers are covered by the non-disclosure agreement attached to the iPhone developer program."

Actually, MacRumors is reporting a rumor that "apparently" Apple is considering rejection letters to be covered under NDA. In other words, this is more of an unconfirmed speculation than an actual story.

If it's true--notice the word "if"--then it's certainly cause to be concerned, and suggests that Apple is behaving poorly, with apparent indifference to the needs of their developers.

If.

However, given how many things MacRumors has got wrong in the past, it might be a good idea to hold off on the pitchforks and torches just yet. Perhaps wait 'til someone can actually verify that this is real before calling out the lynch mobs.

[appledogx--2008]

Frankly, this is pure arrogance on Apple's part. I love Apple' s creativity and coolness, but I hope that some brave developer sues them to death on this one.

NDAs have real uses for keeping company secrets, but using them to stifle freedom of speech is NOT cool. Apple should be TOTALLY ashamed of themselves to apply NDAs to the rejection letters. Apple's coolness will go away if they start behaving like storm troopers with their developers. I hope I never start seeing Steve Jobs like Heinrich Himmler when my current image of him is more like that of Einstein.

[jypeterson]

There are a few issues I have with the arguements against the App Store's rejection of applications:
1. This has nothing to do with free speech -- this is a privately held company that can sanction official applications sold through its portals
2. NDA's have always been a part of Apple. It is the way they do business and it is no secret that they love secrets. If you don't understand that, you have been under a rock for the last 25 years.
3. I don't agree with the way Apple is going about the rejections. There needs to be published rules as to what will be and what will not be admited, with a petition process for developers. Right now there is no written clear guidelines, no indications on what is and isn't permissable, and there is very little communication on the subject to developers. This is where Apple needs to improve. Also, poorly written and poorly copied programs should be rejected.
4. Apple is trying to balance innovation with business interest protection. They do have a right to protect their stake in the ground. If you don't like it, develop and sell it on Cydia or Installer for jail-broken iPhones. There are developers there that do sell their programs so it is possible...

All this comes down to is this: growing pains. It will eventually get worked out.

[tcahill2]

Pull my finger is bad but Russian Roulette is ok??? I just saw that on Apple's web site. I mean give me a break. I would love to be a fly on the wall when they pass/fail these app

[jabberwolf]

Apple censorship.... it just works!

[rad91]

LOL

[Tech-Guy]

That's the beauty of non-government entities- they can censor however they please. Sadly, Apple is going a little overboard (but they always do) with stifling the wood works. I can see where they are coming from, to a point, with filtering programs- they should have a proper QA system in place to make sure buggy apps aren't going to be crashing people's iPhones. But there comes a point where you are just being plain silly. Not only is Apple hurting developers, they are hurting their own potential revenues.

The development community needs to stick it to Apple, and I think Android might give them the means to do so. Its not the magic fix-all to anything, but Apple might learn a thing or two from competition. (Then again they might not- they still don't have a right click button on their desktop/laptops. And no, the Mighty Mouse doesn't count because its junk.)

[MagnoliaSouth]

All the more reason to flee from the iPhone, not that I ever had one to begin with. It's interesting to see that Apple is all of a sudden taking advantage of the NDA. Is it coincidence that Android has been revealed? Anyway, it's too bad that Apple is treating their customers (yes, if developers can't get out the software it is the customers who suffer) so badly. All I can say is that I predict a mass exodus to Android and I can't wait! I have hated ATT for so long and have been a happy T-Mobile user. You can bet your sweet business that I'm going to be getting the gPhone. :D

[BLipman72]

Am i to understand that Apple gave out a developer kit, let developers create apps and then won't tell them why their apps are rejected? If apple chooses to set guidelines as to what can and can't be developed they should give out the information as to what criteria they use to approve an app. Otherwise its a waste of time for a developer to create something, put in all that work, only to find that its for nothing. Also why should an upgrade to an approved application have to go throught he same approval provess. I can understand apple wanting to scan it for viruses or malware etc, but it should be released aft

[Rawnchie14]

They use security as an excuse to control their customers, like puppets and drones handing over their money in droves.

Flash doesn't run well on the iPhone, that's obvious. Maybe they reject applications for using too many resources, so their perfect image isn't tarnished. Or maybe they're purposely choking the competition to accommodate developers who pay for Apple to do so.

Either way, it's sad to see that there are still some people still hopped up on the Apple flavored koolaid, and dismissing this as acceptable behavior.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Apple is based on secrecy , lies , jealousy...what else is new ? The pancreatic cancer was a secret for a long time.
Android makes Apple irrelevant. Closed , secretive , money grubbing BhutWholes. That`s Apple.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Yay Android ! Boo iPhony !

[medezark]

Apple's Hegemony must end!!! Go Psystar!!

[fdunn3]

Apple and Sarah Palin have one thing in common: They don't feel it necessary to explain themselves to anybody.

Steve Jobs should run away with Sarah Palin....PLEASE! Just GO!