Last April, an unnamed Australian developer wrote a lengthy blog post about how the media was wrong about the “evils” of Apple’s approval process for its iPhone App Store. It was flowery — full of rainbows, unicorns, and pots of gold. Here’s are a few lines from the post:
I love the app store and the amazing hassle-free distribution it provides and I only really have a few niggling concerns with how Apple has dealt with us, as developers.
I don’t think there’s that much that is ‘murky’ about their approval process, every time our apps have been rejected it has been for a reason that is documented in either an interface guidelines document, or some other part of their documentation. In my experience (and that’s all I can comment on) it’s extremely well documented as to what you can and can’t do.
Several weeks later, the developer has changed its tune. Its iPad application, MyFrame, is being removed from the App Store and it’s not sure why.
Our application is being removed for a very murky reason, one which is nowhere to be found in any documentation that Apple give us developers, even worse one which Apple themselves refuse to explain, or put in writing. Reminds me a little of Alice in Wonderland: ‘I think I should understand that better, if I had it written down: but I can’t quite follow it as you say it.’
The developer even emailed Steve Jobs and received an unsatisfactory response. One month was free or murk and the next was completely murky. It’s funny how things can change so quickly.
A 75% positive experience is always overshadowed by the 25% bad experience. Like playing Russian Roulette.
@Sandrock323 And those numbers are based off of what? A lot of developers are coding for the App Store simply because of the installed base. They're not all having positive experiences.
@Ray
He was saying that people recall negativity more often than the good things. His numbers were simply for show.
@Ray
Not basing it off of anything. Just making a point in reference to this particular case. He was happy about it until this one incident and now he isn't happy with it. Nothing to do with the bigger picture.
Lets be honest, I'm the last person you'd expect to say anything that supports Apple >_>
Why start now?
@smartguy, @Sandrock323 There have been plenty of developers complaining about the randomness of app rejection from Apple. I found it terribly amusing that this guy was kissing the company's ass one month and changing his tune the next.
@Ray
"He bit into the bittersweet chocolate of Apple and was left with a bitter taste in his mouth", a better hyperbole?
(I'm surprised I figured out hyperbole was the word I was thinking of in two guesses O_o)
When are people (…er, developers) going to realize that Apple can do whatever the hell it wants about its own App Store? They make the rules, they enforce the rules, and they can change the rules at the drop of a hat. If Apple doesn't want an app in its store, it won't be there, regardless of whatever rules they came up with beforehand.
I find it hilarious when developers whine about Apple rejecting their app even though they followed all of Apple's rules. Uh, hello? It's Apple's store and they created the rules, therefore, they can approve and reject anything they want for any reason at any time. The only reason they give you a reason for rejection is to seem like they are being diplomatic about it, but they don't have to. They can just say, "Google Voice? My ass you're getting in. NEXT!" and that would be good enough because they own the damn place. Instead of fighting Apple for approval and making a big ruckus about it, developers should just go back to the drawing board and make or retool their program in a way that Apple would be OK with. What exactly would Apple be OK with, you ask? Well, why don't you just ask me to find you some Higgs Boson particles? That would be a lot easier to do.
@ Sandrock;
Would you be up for some Modern Warfare 2 co-op? I'm having trouble doing a lot of those missions by myself and I could use a good partner to balance out my atrocious playing.
-M
@Iceman
I'm up for it. Send me an invite when your on.
@iceman
absolutely correct. if they don't want it in the store, then they don't have to have it.