A reviewer at the iTunes app store recently rejected a simple application Joel Comm had submitted due to “limited functionality.”
In this video, Comm appeals directly to Steve Jobs to make the review process more transparent and consistent:
Direct link via YouTube here.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Yeah, that’s right, we said “idiot.” Where’s the consistency, Apple?
Once again: We don’t know if Apple’s problem is: (a) the quality of the staff they’ve hired to flip the coins they use to determine app approvals; (b) if said staff is totally overwhelmed; (c) if said “staff” is really just that lone not-so-smart MobileMe launch guy whom the new, more mellow Steve didn’t have the heart to fire; or (e) all of the above, but they really ought to have worked it out by now.
Apple’s only considerations should be to make sure apps do not harm the device and/or encourage physically harming others, directly or indirectly. That’s why we immediately condemned that despicable “Baby Shaker” app and applauded Apple for nixing it. Of course, it never should have been approved in the first place, but we already knew that Apple’s app approval process had major issues long before that particular SNAFU. (And, by the way,” for those that want to bring up FPS or similarly violent games: A defenseless infant is actually different than an armed soldier. If you’re ever in an actual war, you’re supposed to fight the enemy; if you’re ever holding a real baby, you’re never, ever to shake him or her.)
It’s ok Steve- I got this one…
From here on out- NO MORE fart apps, knock on wood apps, woo buttons, following eyes, etc.
Not that big of a deal.
No UNDUE offense intended, but isn’t it conceivable that Joel Comm is an idiot too?
Seriously, Comm’s stupid novelty apps are an insult to Apple and its users. I think it’s great that Apple is deciding to clean up the App Store by beginning to reject apps that don’t do anything. To point out that this change is inconsistent with past behavior is irrelevant. ALL change is inconsistent with the past.
I also commend Apple for not retroactively yanking already-approved apps from the store just to preserve consistency. Grandfathering in all of those stupid apps that Comm gratuitously demonstrated was the right thing to do.
“Move along ya lookie loos, there’s nothing to see here.”
— Chief Wiggins
OK Joel, you had your 3:05 min of fame, now get over it.
It’s an easy solution. Every app gets approved provided it isn’t illegal, damaging to the operation of the ipone or changing/replacing core functionality of the phone. Then apps are split into two categories by reviewers: Useful functionality/No useful functionality.
They could go back through all the apps. Then they might find that the app store only has about 2000 useful apps rather than 100,000 apps most of which are useless. Then when I’m looking for apps I can completely avoid apps like iFart and ‘Cha-ching’.
I need this feature. I can’t find anything in the app store because of these stupid apps.
Sum Jung Gai,
If someone wants buy an app that does nothing that’s their business. That’s the beauty of capitalism. People wouldn’t create these apps if people didn’t buy them. It should NOT be Apple’s call if an app is worth it or not, just if it violates its rules and terms.
I just want an Easy button.
looks like apple is upping its standards now that its established its app store’s dominance. this is a good thing.
He makes a good point. Steve …
make a real app…
jackass
Apple is absolutely right – stop spamming the app store with “5 lines of code” applications. Its already hard to find good applications because of this useless spam… I went to Joel’s website. I can’t believe his app submission was anything more than a ploy to get publicity for him or his farting app. ICK.
Nowhere do you say what this app supposedly does.
Apple owes it to us to prevent bloating the App Store with juvenile, worthless crap that just distracts us from the better stuff. “Total app freedom” means dealing with acres of spam, crap that does not do what it says it will, and wasting good money on it, too.
Analogy: not having a spam filter on your email, would you prefer that?
I thank you, Apple, for being my first tier firewall against app spam.
Tyk, developers like Comm can write apps that do nothing to their hearts’ content. They can write fart web apps and sell them on the Internet or give them away for free. But that doesn’t mean that Apple needs to sell them in its store. I wouldn’t write an open letter to Nordstrom complaining that they don’t sell Whoopee cushions or Manny Hoes. Would you? I mean, you’re welcome to. Freedom of speech and all that. But you would be an idiot.
Cheers!
Too bad Joel doesn’t put as much creativity into his apps as he does in this video.
If Apple had a WAY BETTER way to sort, find and locate apps I could really care less if this app (and apps like it) were in the App Store. But the App Store is so choked with useless apps that it’s a real pain in the ass … therefore I’d just as soon the Crapp Apps were excluded. But – they should be consistent.
Talking about idiots, MDN is full of idiots as well. To me this guys apps are not only not appropriate but stupid as hell. Why give him notice here, let him go screw up Droid. The fart apps and similar ilk should all be relegated to a special area of the iTunes store for the children who own an iPod Touch. Leave them off the adult iPhone owners area. It is almost impossible to find the good apps for all the crap.
@Rob – Joel’s also the co-creator of Yahoo games, a NY Times best selling author, and well known internet millionaire. He’s had a lot more than 3 minutes of fame.
I have a hole in MDN’s approach to App Store approvals. If war games are accepted because you’re killing an “enemy” and baby apps are not accepted because you’re hurting an innocent life… what about games like Grand Theft Auto? Going around the city clubbing hookers and killing people on the streets is acceptable? They seem pretty innocent to me. I’m of the belief that all 3 should be permitted in the App Store. Something that is “immoral” to one person is not to someone else.
@ ross , @ Sum Jung Gai, et. al:
So all of you agree that Apple *should* have the final word on what software you install on your iPhone/iPod Touch? Really? Would you feel the same way if Apple put a similar policy in place for Macs?
I see two solutions to this problem:
1. Apple does what MDN suggests- approve all apps that are not harmful to the device/network and do not break the law.
2. Allow alternatives to the AppStore, and keep a higher standard for any apps available through the AppStore.
When a user buys an iPhone or iPod Touch, it is theirs. They own it, and can do virtually anything they wish with it. Apple trying to use licensing as a way to control what people do with their devices is just wrong.
If you feel that Apple is in the right in this behavior, then you should feel that Ford could “license” you to use their automobiles, and require that you only have them serviced at Ford dealerships and only buy gas from Ford-branded stations. After all, you could always just not buy a Ford and go with another manufacturer. The problem arises when *all* of the manufacturers implement the same policy. Then, as a consumer, you’re screwed. But that would be a-okay with all of you, right?
How about voting 10% of all apps off the store?
Embarrassing. The video, I mean. And the app.
I’m surprised, and very pleased with the tone of reader responses. Crap is crap, and too much of it clogs the best of pipes. Unless referred by someone I know I have ceased searching the App Store for a useful App. You have to wade through too much crap to find them.
WHY would ANYONE want a corporation limiting YOUR choices? Granted, this logic does not apply to harmful or repugnant content, but novelty apps are just that – a fun novelty.
It is NOT OK for a government, or a business, to determine what I want. If people want it, they can d’l it. If they don’t want it – they don’t d’l it. SIMPLE, huh?
People – many of you seem to feel ok with allowing your basic freedoms to be eroded. This is a dangerous way of thinking. Open your eyes. This is not a Florida Condo Association! Get your nose out of everybody’s business.
It is NONE of your business if I want to put a stupid app on MY iPhone. And it is NONE of Apples business if I want to put a stupid app on MY iPhone.
I would remove all the applications the guy listed.
Idiots.
“When a user buys an iPhone or iPod Touch, it is theirs. They own it, and can do virtually anything they wish with it. Apple trying to use licensing as a way to control what people do with their devices is just wrong.”
That dog don’t bark dude.
Apple doesn’t host the softwares you can put on your Mac.
Apple doesn’t pay for the pipe to deliver the software you put on your Mac.
When you agree to put your App on Apple’s servers, be delivered over Apple’s pipe, Apple retains the right to decide if THEY want to store and deliver it. Most of these Apps are free which means that Apple incurs costs without earning a fee for the storage and delivery of the App.
App Store volume has reached a point where the herd has to be culled, so that the cream can be more easily found. The paid Apps are the ones that will survive and flourish.
Apple is just telling the market that enough is enough. If you want to write crap then do it for the Droid.
Developers of real, paid Apps are going to love this change in policy, and they are the ones that you, me and Apple are going to want in the future.
Oh, and I bet that the same people who want these crap-apps complain the loudest about AT&T;service…
Why allow precious bandwidth to be wasted on that junk?
Tony,
go jump off a bridge or something. People like you need to be banned from existence. Humanity needs moral guidelines. Let me guess- murder is in your morally ok realm too? Seriously, the more that is allowed, the more people push the envelope. The line has to be drawn somewhere, AND NOT BUDGE.
I like how everyone throws around the word “transparency”. Obama, etc. I don’t think they are using it right. Especially Obama.
Anyhow, after having an interview at an Apple Store, I can say that Apple does have some serious issues within, and this is probably the most visible of them.