Apple Refusing Any BitTorrent Related Apps? 296
jamie pointed out what appears to be an unfortunate policy for Apple's app store that is refusing anything to do with BitTorrent. The example is a remote control app that allows a user to interface with their Transmission BitTorrent client. This certainly isn't the first complaint over app store policy. Issues from the return policy to the "objectionable content" of Nine Inch Nails have some developers concerned over what Apple is doing to the market. Of course, many are quick to remind that it is Apple's store and they are free to do whatever they want with it.
Re:Jailbreak (Score:2, Interesting)
That's the way I do it. Jailbreaking is awesome, you can install python, vlc, gcc, irc, if the package doesn't you can just create it from source, assuming that the libraries behind it work well with the iphone/touch. Honostly, the itouch has replaced my netbook needs for over 6 months now. The only thing I hate about it is how proprietary it is.
Use wTorrent (Score:3, Interesting)
I've been meaning, but have yet to try out wTorrent which is a web interface to the same libtorrent that rTorrent uses.
This way you could just use safari to control your torrent downloads.
Same old song and dance (Score:3, Interesting)
I'd like to say that when a truly open competitor comes along and offers competition, people will flock to it. But they won't because that's not how it works. Normal people buy the stuff that "just works" and apple's stuff is pretty good at that. The only way around it is for hackers to do what they do so well.
Hats off to you, hackers of the world.
Re:Apple is free to do whatever it wants... (Score:3, Interesting)
The purpose of these stories, involving Apple refusing to sell apps, is not to debate the rights of Apple to do so. Everyone recognizes that Apple has a right to sell or not sell anything it so desires.
Since Apple has gone to some trouble to prevent you from installing apps other than through the app store, there is very much room to debate whether they have the right to refuse to sell apps. They have given themselves a monopoly on non-developer iPhone application distribution and it could be considered anticompetitive. It is for a court to decide, but there is plenty of room for discussion.
Re:Jailbreak (Score:2, Interesting)
Forget jailbreaking the iShit.... just don't buy one, problem solved. Ohhhh, you want to use the iWhateverStuff? Live with the DRM then, sucker!
I'm not sure I agree. Sure, I've had to jump through hoops to get it to do what I want but once I do configure it, it's one of the coolest/funest things I have. I could say almost exactly the same about my linux install too.
Re:If you don't like it.... (Score:5, Interesting)
If you don't know how to make logical analogies, don't do it.
Re:If you don't like it.... (Score:3, Interesting)
Apart from not talking about it, I don't see anything wrong with most items on the list. The problem comes with the use of force against the unwilling. Murder and subprime fall into this category. You don't like murder, be prepared to defend yourself and your loved ones. The subprime issue was caused by fed manipulation of interest rates. i.e. price controls on credit. Central economic planning doesn't work. If you were to open a bank that wasn't part of the federal reserve system, men with guns would show up and shut you down. Again, force against the unwilling. With enron you could make an argument that fraud was the culprit.
Re:If you don't like it.... (Score:2, Interesting)
Just a side note (I totally agree with you in concept) is that most of the things that you've listed have an impact on you in one way or another regardless of your preference. Your active choice of not doing something won't mitigate the effects of it upon your life:
Gay Marriage: Most likely won't directly affect you (unless you're gay of course).
Murder: Will affect you (or friends/family) if you do it or not.
Apple Store: The majority position of a system incompatible with one you choose to use means there are fewer chances that you'll get applications that you really want.
France: Pretty low affect besides trade deficits
Math: Your ignorance of math will only make you less valuable as a potential employee if everyone else knows it.
Enron: Caused such a big stink not just because a single company failed. It affected investor confidence in all American companies.
Sub Prime: Pretty much ditto of Enron. The irresponsible were punished along with the responsible.
Android FTW. (Score:5, Interesting)
Seeing this story elsewhere today prompted me to check the Android Market for a similar app.
Yup, found one and downloaded it immediately.
Works with Transmission (like the rejected app in the story) and uTorrent, making it great for users of any platform (i think mac users have one or the other, and Transmission is great on linux, uTorrent rocks on windows).
Gotta setup my new computer with DYNDNS again, but It looks like a nice app just from the setup options.
I have started developing a bit (a tiny bit) for Android, and I am really starting to appreciate the platform a lot.
I switched from windows mobile to the iphone a year ago, and then from the iphone to a G1 a few months ago, and I love my G1, it's the best phone I've ever had, and knowing now that I can develop apps for it easily (and on any platform, no less) for free (if I don't want to distribute them, or for just $25 one time developer's fee if I do) makes me REALLY like the platform.
Android rocks.
-Taylor
Debian (Score:1, Interesting)
Well... (Score:2, Interesting)
Well now, you can just use torrentflux, supporting an open source project, and still use your iphone. :P
http://www.torrentflux.com/