Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it

Post by jjcon » Wed, Sep 15, 2021, 4:47 PM UTC

defaultname wrote: post #183

NKosmatos wrote: post #16

Very typical of Apple, using opaque approval procedures. They're acting like bullies because they didn't get what they wanted and because they have the money/power to do so. Apple wanted to buy FlickType but they didn't agree on the price or Eleftheriou didn't want to sell (I doubt it), and so from then onwards started the downhill ride. I fully support Eleftheriou on this just for the principle, but if I were in his…

The original issues with the app weren't opaque at all: Keyboard utilities can't have network access. Then he noted that it can operate without it, but the entitlement can't even exist for any users, even optionally. That is very clearcut. At least without the App Store reviewers crawling all over everything you do, putting an enormous level of scrutiny over everything you do. And the functionality has to justify it…

Post by jjcon » Wed, Sep 15, 2021, 4:52 PM UTC

amiantos wrote: post #258

Has no one noticed that this app in question is still on the App Store? First result on google when you search for "Apple Watch keyboards". This makes me even more suspicious of the guy creating all this outrage. It's also not very well reviewed.

Post by jrockway » Wed, Sep 15, 2021, 4:56 PM UTC

EMIRELADERO wrote: post #257

Terretta wrote: post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Software is not different from hardware. Digital parts aren't magic, bring no magic rights, it's still just boring old parts someone invested in engineering into a product. Even in digital, beige box server, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, FaaS, applications, devices, apps, screens... different waterlines, none of them magic. Which waterline do you have the right to "run whatever you want"? Which waterline is a business ok to say,…

I don't see this as a "features" problem. I think the correct way to approach this is in terms of "control". By designing their devices that way (non-unlockable bootloaders, signature verification on every app or executable with hardcoded public keys etc) companies have essentially introduced a new paradigm in which the legal owner of the device has less control over it than its manufacturer. That is the issue here.

Post by znpy » Wed, Sep 15, 2021, 4:58 PM UTC

Post by jjcon » Wed, Sep 15, 2021, 5:06 PM UTC

mikehearn wrote: post #269

jjcon wrote: post #264

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He didnt claim it was removed - i believe he was blocked from updating the app

The article seems to make that claim: "A separate version for the Apple Watch would remain [in the App Store], but then Apple pulled that one as well, telling Eleftheriou that keyboards aren’t allowed on the Apple Watch."