- November 25, 2009 5:28 am
Phil Schiller may be walking around with his head up his ass completely oblivious (or in denial) about the real state of affairs concerning the App Store and it’s horrendous approval process, but we in the tech scene can see past empty promises and lies. The previous article I highlighted I sourced from Geeky-Gadgets. It’s worth noting that I never source two articles back to back, or even in the same day from the same site as it just isn’t good blogging manners. However, I stumbled onto this little snafu after posting the other article. Not to mention, it needs to be talked up.
I frequent GG as they often write about some rather odd and unique gadgets that are quite interesting. When they decided to develop a Geeky-Gadgets iPhone app, I was extremely excited as I mentioned before, it is one of my favorite sites. So it is with great disappointment (though little surprise) that after GG submitted their app three weeks ago, the developer responded today saying Apple rejected the app because of a “Contest” category within the app. All it did was link to the contest section of the site where they routinely hold….contests. Apple claims they can’t verify the validity of said contests and as such, the section has to be removed. They also go on to say that if at any point they see or hear of even a simple post within the normal blog/article section of the app, they will delete the app from their servers. Can we say bullshit?!
I understand protecting end users from scams and gimmicky contests, but being so frank about it when countless other apps employ various types of contests in their apps is yet again another example of how stupid the entire approval process is. Geeky-Gadgets, I feel for you. It’s these daily stories of disappointment, complete lack of common sense, and all around stupidity that have me not missing my iPhone in the slightest. Apple, please, fix your problem already.
Seriously Apple, WTF?! You reject dictionary apps because little Johnny might search for a naughty word yet you approve apps such as Baby Shaker. Now you’ve stooped to the ultimate in absolute stupidity and leaves me wondering where you find these morons that run the App Store approval process. Why the flaming? Do I really need to go into any greater detail on the image above? The ebook above is Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kempf” — his “bible” if you will, full of his murderous and inhumane polices. Apparently supporting genocide is high up on Apple’s list. It’s bad enough that someone didn’t double check this app and think, “hmm, a pro-Nazi app, probably not a good idea”. What’s even worse though is that an app titled “Someecards”, a humorous app that made fun of various public figures and celebrites — past and present — was rejected. Humor doesn’t appear to be “in the cards” for Apple however as one particular card making fun of Hitler was one of the main reasons the app was rejected. The more politically correct response: “It ridiculed public figures”. Ridiculing a murder off limits. Pushing his hateful and murderous ideas? Awesome, no problem. So little of a problem in fact that Apple has only given this app a 9+ rating. WTF? Start ‘um young I guess. Mind you, this is the same group of individuals who reject f’n scholarly tools such as a simple dictionary app for having words like shit, damn, fuck, and so on? Wow. Classy Apple.
I haven’t written about any stupid app rejections or App Store processes in a while because they were mostly the same basic things over and over that we have already seen. app called “Someecards” that happened to have a particular card that criticized Hitler shows that the app approval process is a complete and utter joke. Should they all be fired? Well, that would be a start. Perhaps hiring some people that aren’t completely incompetent would help no?
In the end though, I shouldn’t be too hard on those ever so intelligent app approvers as the Mein Kempf app was written in Spanish. And the approvers surely couldn’t have understood that or hired someone who speaks Spanish. No sir, they’re on top of their app approvals. Speed, efficiency, and developer feedback are Apple’s top priority. Just ask the Trillian iPhone app developer…..
TechCrunch
In a bizarre and rather abrupt change of habit, the normally silent as a corpse Apple has finally started communicating with someone outside of Apple HQ about the various gripes that have been mounting and pointed at Apple, specifically gripes concerning the App Store and app approval process. It’s no secret that the App Store is going though growing pains that the approval process that apps go through is sorely screwed up and needs immediate TLC. Because of the silence Apple has given us, it came as a bit of a shock when Phil Schiller, a Vice President and head honcho at Apple came out and spoke on the inner workings of Apple instead of some PR team. What’s even more surprising is Phil came out a second time in one week to speak about Apple and the App Store problems at hand. While Apple couldn’t have ignored the problems at hand, many including me expected the shroud of secrecy and to eventually see updates and improvements trickle in. Still, for all of you who need some reassuring, Phil says Apple cares, they’re working on it, all will be well. Are you surprised with Apple’s new found semi-transparency? Do you feel they should be more open regardless? Or are you so fed up you couldn’t care less anymore?
Source: Tech Crunch, Image Source
Developing and programming applications for any device is by far no easy task. It takes a certain skill and person to carry out such tasks. The iPhone has created many overnight sensations and wealth by giving the average Joe a chance at stardom and fame. However, because of the iPhone’s multiple languages used, developing for the platform can put many people off as they simply don’t have the time, will, or money to learn new programming languages. However, a clever development platform that goes by “PhoneGap” allows developers to develop across multiple platforms using only HTML and Javascript opening the door to a much larger pool of people. In return, we get better apps as well as a larger selection. Choices are always good. Though the path isn’t a nice straight green one. Apple apparently though sadly unsurprisingly has a few problems with this.
