Apple Balks, Finally Relents, At Possible User Queries of Dictionary App 259
Geoffrey.landis writes with a snippet from CNET reporting another example of offputting treatment at Apple's App Store: "'In this case, it's a dictionary app called Ninjawords (so called because ninjas are 'smart, accurate, and really fast') that was rejected three times over the course of two months, mostly because 'objectionable' words could be looked up and found in the dictionary's search function, Gruber reported.' PCWorld also reports the story." Note that the app was eventually approved, but only after a few go-rounds and changes.
What is apple's rationale behind this behavior? (Score:5, Interesting)
Could someone please explain Apple's rationale for their extremely conservative (and stupid) position on keeping everything suitable for a 6 year old? Why not let everything in and have parental controls if they're so concerned? I mean you can surf porn sites with the built in safari browser, so they should allow all 'look up' type apps with that same rationale, or ban safari or censor its web access.
I'm surprised they haven't banned Brushes because you can draw naked ladies with it.
Well, in any case, my iPhone is still slated to be pounded into ground glass as soon as my contract is up. Pretty much had it with the thing.
Just who do they think they are anyway? (Score:5, Interesting)
If you mean did not relent, then yes (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:If you mean did not relent, then yesOKAY WHO .. (Score:5, Interesting)
Alright, inquiring minds want to know just who at Apple looked up all these words to see that they were actually in this app in the first place? Who has that dirty little mind to look up all these naughty words -- and is still allowed to work at bright shining, purer than Ivory Soap Apple?
Re:If someone is looking up a "bad" word... (Score:3, Interesting)
I guess I don't see it as a "BIG PROBLEM" (tm). It's their platform to begin with, they made it and decided what it would be. Their rules are made known when downloading the SDK and paying the 99$ fee. It would only be a "BIG PROBLEM" (tm) if they were the only game in town. Vote with your wallet.
As for complaining about it, sure you're free to complain. However, reading most of the comments here, it seems like people aren't actually complaining more than trying to insinuate that Apple is acting against some ethical or legal code.
Re:Anyone care? (Score:2, Interesting)
Same story with similar app (Score:2, Interesting)
I'm a developper of ZenTap (video [youtube.com]), it isn't dictionary (basically is text editor) but one of it's abilities is the text prediction.
Apple rejected one of the first versions (called FastMail) of zentap because they found some "bad" words in the predictions.
And what I've done to fix it? Nothing
I resubmit it without any changes but in the submission form there are a section(Application Rating Detail) where you have to mark things like:
Marking the diferent categories automatically are changing your app rating.
In my case I had to mark Profantiy Infrequent (this increased my app rating from +4 to +9) and it was accepted (don't look for ZenTap in Itunes, it isn't available yet).
There are no more alternatives if you want work with Apple.
Re:What is the solution ? (Score:3, Interesting)
Said perfectly... (Score:5, Interesting)
Reposted from the story site:
shbc123 says:
Wed Aug 05 13:24:53 PDT 2009
Re: Apple Screws Up Again, Censors iPhone Dictionary App
Should Apple not also censor what music can be placed on iPods? If they're truly doing this to maintain the sanctity of their phone, how can they justify allowing objectionable music on their music players - what music is able to be placed on iPods should also be dictated by Apple. What about on their computers themselves. Why don't they prohibit any objectionably programs to be installed on their Macintosh computers? Perhaps the next release of OS X should implement another level of parental controls - Apple controls, which would supersede parental controls.
And then there's the claim that they reject certain apps because the provide features similar to ones already built in. Forgetting the fact that the user has already purchased the device, why can't a user decide for themselves who's implementation of a given feature they prefer? Following the same logic as above, why doesn't Apple police Macintosh applications? Firefox? Forget it, it provides functionality that's already available in OS X in the form of Safari. And again, what of their iPods. Why doesn't Apple police music available on their music players? So you want to listen to Pearl Jam AND Sound Garden? Sorry, Apple has determined they're too similar so you'll have to choose one.
I'll admit to never being much of an Apple fan, but I must say I've really enjoyed my iPhone. But this nonsense must end. If it doesn't by the time my AT&T contract is up, I'll be shopping for a nice new Android phone. Thank you Apple. My first experience as a customer is quickly turning sour.
Is this affecting developers? (Score:5, Interesting)
I have downloaded the Xcode development environment, and lately I've been working on a cool idea for an iPhone app. The more stories I read like this, though, the more I'm wondering whether or not I want to bother.
I've already been jerked around by Apple in regards to this. I have a coworker who, when he found out that I can develop software, agreed to pay for my enrollment in the dev program in exchange for helping him out with some coding. So he bought an enrollment package for me, we filled out the info, and the next day, I got an e-mail from Apple saying that because my application and payment information didn't match up, I had to provide them a notarized copy or a government-issued photograph to prove I am who I claim that I am. I sent them back an e-mail saying that I didn't feel comfortable providing them my personal information, that nowhere in the terms I agreed to did it say that such documentation was required, and that if they want to send me a letter or call my phone to verify my information, I'd welcome the opportunity to do so. They have yet to reply back, so tomorrow, I'm probably going to ask for my coworker's money back and just register myself under my own company's name instead.
So developer-to-developer, I can't help but wonder, is it worth it? Sure, there are stories around of people making a million bucks off of $0.99 apps, but the kind of stuff I have in mind is niche-oriented, and I don't plan to be a millionaire; it's more of a hobby than anything else.
I have an iPhone and I love it, but I don't like the thought that I can't install stuff that I might want because Apple says so. I really don't like being jerked around as a developer and told what other people can and can't run of mine that I write, especially when there's no danger of causing the system to crash or anything like that.
I can't help but wonder if Apple keeps jerking developers around like this if eventually they'll give up and move on to another platform. Apple is customer-focused, and that's great, really, it is. But at what point will they realize that they need developers on board too, just as much or more than we need Apple?
Re:Is this affecting developers? (Score:5, Interesting)