Apple Blindsides More AppStore Developers 716
For a while now Apple has said it doesn't want "widget-like" apps in the store; but where is the boundary of that fuzzy statement? The developers of My Frame, of which three versions had already been approved for the iPhone/iPad, found out that they had already crossed it when Apple informed them their app would be pulled. My Frame had options to overlay data on whatever photo was displaying: a Twitter stream, weather, etc. When one of the developers wrote to Steve Jobs on a whim to ask what unwritten rule their app had violated, Jobs wrote back: "We are not allowing apps that create their own desktops. Sorry." "I see now why people are so angry at the 'murky' nature of the App Store, and I'm starting to agree with them. My Frame was approved by Apple 3 times (once for each version we released), and ... now, at version 1.2 they decide it's to be removed? How can a company be prepared to invest into a platform that can change at any time, cutting you off and kicking you out, with no course of action but to whine on some no-name blog[?] There is no alternative platform, despite what others may say about Android, it's immature and their app store(s) are a wild west nightmare. It really is Apple's way or the highway...." A few blogs have picked up the story.
Interesting strategy. (Score:5, Funny)
"There is no alternative platform, despite what others may say about Android, it's immature and their app store(s) are a wild west nightmare. It really is Apple's way or the highway..."
and rewards his loyalty with an exception?
Re:It's time. (Score:5, Funny)
Either that, or a picture of Steve Jobs' face, with one half looking like a wolf and the other half looking like a sheep.
oops! (Score:1, Funny)
Sucks to be you.
Next time, develop for Android. Sure you'll make less money but at least you'll be free to make less money.
iPhone developer agreement: Eat a bug on camera (Score:5, Funny)
iPhone developers are up in arms at Apple requiring them to use only Apple toolkits, sacrifice a Windows developer at their local Apple Shop every Sunday and maintain an altar to Steve Jobs in their homes. And eat a bug [newstechnica.com].
Apple is famous for its rigid control over its devices, in its quest to maintain user quality. Developers have worked under increasing restrictions in their attempts to provide quality applications for the iPhone such as I Am Rich, Magic 8 Ball and iFart.
"Not a big deal," said Mr Jobs in a personal email. "Cross-platform development leads to a worse user experience every time. Also, the video of you eating the bug has to be H.264 QuickTime or your app is out. Extra points for cockroaches."
"This clause shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the creative freedom developers need," said iPhone developer Greg Slepak. "Software is an infinitely malleable creation of pure thought. Toolkits, languages and frameworks are only a way to develop something people will want. It's like telling Rembrandt what brand of brushes he's allowed to use."
He paused to chow down on a palmetto bug for his MacBook's camera. "I'll tell you, a lot of iPhone developers are seriously considering Android, just as soon as Google develops a suitably exploitable stream of mindless thralls that will generate us a gushing torrent of money."
"Thanks for the video, Greg," said Mr Jobs, "but we've just added section 3.3.1.a: 'In particular, when Greg Slepak submits an application, the bucket of cockroaches in the video have to be Apple-branded and genetically engineered in Cupertino.' So we've rejected your application, cancelled your membership and zeroed your account.
"Of course, you're free to apply again. Or not, if you don't want a goddamn dumptruck full of money backed up to your house. It's a free country."
With an attitude like that (Score:4, Funny)
There is no alternative platform, despite what others may say about Android, it's immature and their app store(s) are a wild west nightmare
You know, maybe if half the iPhone App Developers decided to opt out of Apple's ridiculous system, and started developing more apps for Android, perhaps there would be more incentive to improve their app store to put it on par with Apple's.
Just sayin' man.
Another thing, this is like complaining that you didn't get into the NFL when you chose pro football as your career. Perhaps you should have done a little research before becoming an iPhone App developer, Hmmm? The fact that you got INTO the App store - AND were successful enough to have it sell at all, is considered lucky in my opinion.
Re:It's time. (Score:5, Funny)
Steve Jobs wearing robes and holding stone iTablets with invisible commandments?
Re:It's time. (Score:3, Funny)
I'm pretty sure Linus is an actual robot though. Sent back in time to save humanity.
Re:It's time. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:It's time. (Score:3, Funny)
You're right! In fact, we should now replace all anti-Bill Gates memorabilia with these pictures: http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/272750-pic-funny-bill-gates-pics-from-1983/#entry585309992 [neowin.net]
Ooo...sssmmmooking!
Re:It's time. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:It's time. (Score:3, Funny)
That liver he got has some nasty bile.
Re:Tired. (Score:5, Funny)
quit robbing the rest of us of our mental bandwidth.
Yeah, some of us are still on 300 baud!
Re:Fine Line Indeed (Score:2, Funny)
There's a Penny Arcade [penny-arcade.com] for just about anything:
Re:It's time. (Score:5, Funny)
That liver he got has some nasty bile.
How much do you want to bet his liver transplant came from an early foxconn suicide? You know, way before any new of the high suicide rate hit the media and when Steve really needed a liver?
Re:iPhone developer agreement: Eat a bug on camera (Score:5, Funny)
Re:It's time. (Score:5, Funny)
"Thou shalt not do things I don't like"
"Thou shalt not do things iDon't like"
There fixed that for you!
Re:It's time. (Score:5, Funny)
You should be ashamed you watched enough voyager to get the reference.
Re:It's time. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:It's time. (Score:4, Funny)
Comon, everyone knows the old chestnut about Steve selling his future liver to Satan in exchange for getting Apple's venture capital in place back in the day.
This is well documented people!
Re:Rejected 4 times so far (Score:5, Funny)
Summing it up for dev (Score:3, Funny)
iPhone:
How can a company be prepared to invest into a platform that can change at any time, cutting you off and kicking you out, with no course of action but to whine on some no-name blog
Android:
How can a company be prepared to invest into a platform that is immature and whose app store is a wild west nightmare.
Well, choose your poison...
Re:It's time. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:It's time. (Score:1, Funny)
I'll bet. Against you. How much do you want to lose?
Let's start with a sense of humor ... what, you can't? You've already lost yours? Oh sorry, never mind then.
Re:More to this story? (Score:3, Funny)
"But Mr Dent, the plans have been available in the local planning office for the last nine months."
"Oh yes, well as soon as I heard I went straight round to see them, yesterday afternoon. You hadn't exactly gone out of your way to call attention to them, had you? I mean, like actually telling anybody or anything."
"But the plans were on display ..."
"On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them."
"That's the display department."
"With a flashlight."
"Ah, well the lights had probably gone."
"So had the stairs."
"But look, you found the notice didn't you?"
"Yes," said Arthur, "yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying 'Beware of the Leopard'."
Re:More to this story? (Score:3, Funny)
I'd say it's all based on a "Magic 8-ball", but wasn't that app rejected? (grin)
Re:It's time. (Score:5, Funny)
Steve Jobs...he's more like Emperor Ming
no wonder he hates Flash
Re:It's time. (Score:3, Funny)
Steve Jobs...he's more like Emperor Ming from Flash Gordon. He has immense power, but rather than use it for the betterment of his people (his customers), he makes arbitrary decisions for his own amusement.
What's the point of being dictator-for-life if not this?
I mean, seriously.
Re:It's time. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:It's time. (Score:1, Funny)