Apple’s iTunes App Store “now requires that users purchase or download an application before they able to post a review of that particular application,” Sam Oliver reports for AppleInsider.
“Users attempting to post a review of application that they haven’t downloaded are now met with a dialog box stating: ‘In order to write a Custom Review for this item you must have purchased or downloaded it,'” Oliver reports.
“Apple hopes this move will mitigate the number of bogus, or agenda-driven reviews that have been used to raise or lower an applications overall rating, sometimes at the hands of developers themselves,” Oliver reports.
Full article, which also covers changes to the way applications appear on the App Store after receiving a minor update, here.
App download should have been required before a review could be submitted at the store’s inception. Basic stuff, really. Without it, the reviews definitely suffered. Oh, well, better late than never, Apple.
Now if only Apple will work on curbing their own abuse of seemingly random App submission rejections.
That’s ok, now if they’d curb their own “abuse” of potential developers (can you hear Balmer?) and give some proper guidelines as to what is kosher, and more importantly, what isn’t.
This was a long time coming. I hated people “reviewing” an app by say “I give it only 1 star because this app should be only $X then I would buy it”. The reviews are more likely to be meaningful now. I wonder if they are going to scrap all the original reviews and start over now.
Whooa, outgunned by a fat bastard!!
I want what I want, when I want it, how I want it. Listen to ME. Do what I say. Populism now, populism forever!
“Apple hopes this move will mitigate the number of bogus, or agenda-driven reviews that have been used to raise or lower an applications overall rating, sometimes at the hands of developers themselves,” Oliver reports.
I don’t see how that will stop a developer from purchasing his or her own app, perhaps even repeatedly, and then give it a glowing review. Some developers won’t mind pumping some “marketing funds” into their product reviews.
It’s about freaking time.
I think they should also include some kind of time limit where you have to have used the app for an hour or whatever before you can actually write a review. I hate reviews like “I just downloaded it, and I’m excited to use it”, etc.
“Apple’s iTunes App Store “now requires that users purchase or download an application before they able to post a review … “
Fair. Logical.
Now if only we could stop people making reviews on the iPhone or the Mac they don’t or never had.
P.S. Remember, some developers were initially cheating the system to get top ranking in the App listing as well.
Whatever it takes?
(Especially since, one the low, scrappy end, there are multiple tip calculators, weather guides, dictionaries, fake lighters and white noise generators.)
Fat Bastard. I gotta say you’re wrong.
The iPhone SDK outlines fairly well the dos and don’ts of App architecture and non iPhone feature duplication.
I still don’t understand the rejection of the ‘$999 I have more money than brains’ App but the other 4 apps that were rejected did violate the SDK agreement that everyone signed.
Besides, if you want to make money selling cell phone apps, you’ll code for the iPhone first, no matter what.
Now I hope Apple will work on curbing Flashlight apps.
Finally… I’ve been ranting about that since the App Store debuted.
That was a total mess… Nearing embarrassment. It was as if there was a new iTunes discussion board for teenagers who got an iPod touch for Christmas.
“I’d buy it if it was $1.99″… Good for you.
“Should be free”… You should work this week, for free.
I actually think that there are many iTunes customers that think Apple actually makes all the apps. I’ve seen quite a few reviews that say “Come on Apple, you shouldn’t charge for this!”.
This is a good thing.
To see an example, you can look at Tip Wizard in the Utility section.
Someone named “prkcz”, Says they would not buy it, and gives it a poor rating.
Maybe Apple should have a sort order for “Recently Updated”. That would be a middle ground.
Modbus,
This will not elliminate the bogus reviews. Obviously, if someone wants to buy the app more than once, just so that they can review it more than once, there’s nothing that could be done to prevent that. However, the likelyhood of that is extremely low. You’d have to create multiple Apple IDs (you can’t post multiple reviews for the same app with the same ID), buy the app from each of these IDs and then write this review.
It is fair to assume that vast majority of bogus reviews will be gone, as the obstacles are now just too great for anyone but a negligible fanatical minority.
It shouldn’t be difficult for Apple to scrub the inelligible reviews from the store; just compare the reviewer’s ID with the shopping history and remove the review if there is no match.
Now if they would just give me back the option of aggregate searches. I want my “All iPhone Applications” choice back !!!!!!
That was a stupid thing to remove.
I’d also like the reviews to contain the date of review
The App Store has been abused. You should have seen all the bruises this past weekend.
The App Store is now in a shelter for battered online stores.
The should now have two separate ratings for any review – one for functionality and one for price.
Predrag:
My concern was not pointed at consumers but rather more at developers falsely pumping up their own “FANTASTIC” and “BEST” version of 200 beach noises for your iPhone.
Apple needs to wipe the reviews clean and start over.
Apple: Just give us your money and keep your comments to yourself..
“It’s a UNIX system! I know this!”
Last login: Mon Sep 29 09:05:33 on console
Welcome to Darwin!
Apple:~ stevesjobs$
rm /users/Appstore/reviews/
Chapman: Shut your festering gob, you tit! Your type really makes me puke, you vacuous, toffee-nosed, malodorous pervert!
Palin: Look, I CAME HERE FOR AN ARGUMENT. I’m not going to just stand…!
Chapman: OH, oh I’m sorry, but this is abuse.