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App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps

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Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps

#41

Post by tptacek »

smoldesu wrote: post #26
trebbble wrote: post #8

They've done this since the early days of the app store. Mostly-content apps without really broad appeal have long carried a high risk of rejection. > Homescreen widgets: utterly useless, but can't get more iOS-y and less webapp-y than this, right? This especially, but really the whole post reads like the system working as intended. Granted (as the author notes) way too much shit gets through anyway, but that's not a…

I think Apple has every right to tighten up their first-party App Store, but they should also acknowledge the user's right to install what they want. Maybe some people do want a "too simple" app, and I don't think Apple has the right to tell the user what is-and-isn't appropriate. It's common sense. This would be a great time for them to add a Developer Mode a-la Android, and also start purging their own shopfronts.…

There are other products people can buy if they want to install random apps. At this point, everybody knows what the iPhone ecosystem is about.

Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps

#42

Post by alin23 »

unreal37 wrote: post #33
dmitriid wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

- available without internet - you can have personalisation in the app without needing to create an account - can have access to location without asking the user every time

The app pulls in a CSV with the list of events, so the app requires internet to work right?

(author here) the data is always cached so even with no internet, you can still access the newest data, filter it, see it on a map etc.

But really, the biggest reason why I wanted this to be an app is because I like how native apps feel as opposed to a website.

Push Notifications, map panning and zooming and the calendar integration have a low quality feel when used on the web (in iOS).

Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps

#43

Post by smoldesu »

yazzku wrote: post #20
user3939382 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We are living Stallman's Nightmare where some supernational empire decides what programs we're allowed to run on our computers.

Indeed, though thankfully we have the alternatives.

"You won't be able to imagine the things we have in the future. Supercomputers in your pocket, the size of a candy bar!"

> "Cool, does it play Doom?"

"Funny thing, that..."

Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps

#44

Post by epgui »

I also don't think this app should have been rejected.

However, if we assume that the rejection policy was correct (just for the sake of argument), I don't see how adding things like parallax, push notifications, or even a map, makes the application substantially different in the context of this rejection.

Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps

#45

Post by mypalmike »

kjoedion wrote: post #24
wswope wrote: post #10

Apple, by walling their garden, have essentially used their hegemony to steal billions of dollars in potential revenue from developers. Think of how much innovation has been blocked by them intentionally gimping iOS Safari to prevent web apps from competing with native ones. Remember this when reviewing job applications, folks. Apple, Google, and Facebook employees, current and former, are morally derelict and have p…

Apple, by creating the iPhone and a standardized App Store, have essentially created billions of revenue for developers throughout the years. I find your sense of entitlement morally derelict.

You have a reasonable counterpoint. Maybe ditch the personal attack?

Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps

#46

Post by domador »

kjoedion wrote: post #24
wswope wrote: post #10

Apple, by walling their garden, have essentially used their hegemony to steal billions of dollars in potential revenue from developers. Think of how much innovation has been blocked by them intentionally gimping iOS Safari to prevent web apps from competing with native ones. Remember this when reviewing job applications, folks. Apple, Google, and Facebook employees, current and former, are morally derelict and have p…

Apple, by creating the iPhone and a standardized App Store, have essentially created billions of revenue for developers throughout the years. I find your sense of entitlement morally derelict.

Let's see if I can paraphrase your argument:

"The iPhone and the App Store exist, therefore developers should be thankful they exist regardless of how Apple treats them as they try to get their apps approved."

Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps

#47

Post by cowtools »

nate wrote: post #15

Ran into the exact same problem with a very simple camera app I made. Camera app was completely gesture based. So you never had to find a button to quickly flip the camera to the other side of the phone or find the button to start/stop recording. It made using a camera a lot quicker to get multiple shots of a scene and your reaction shot. Also added in stabilization to the front lens, which was easy but wasn't enable…

>Ran into the exact same problem with a very simple camera app I made.

>[...]

>(Just by posting this, now I fear I broke some kind of TOS, and can never publish an iOS app again?)

This is how your loyalty to Apple's racket is rewarded. This is your prize for buying hundreds of dollars of their equipment and paying hundreds to license their development kit and get your software reviewed for their locked-down phones.

Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps

#48

Post by Apocryphon »

tptacek wrote: post #41
smoldesu wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think Apple has every right to tighten up their first-party App Store, but they should also acknowledge the user's right to install what they want. Maybe some people do want a "too simple" app, and I don't think Apple has the right to tell the user what is-and-isn't appropriate. It's common sense. This would be a great time for them to add a Developer Mode a-la Android, and also start purging their own shopfronts.…

There are other products people can buy if they want to install random apps. At this point, everybody knows what the iPhone ecosystem is about.

How are users aware of the existence of "too-simple" random apps they're missing out on, if those apps were banned from the App Store?

Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps

#49

Post by Jonovono »

Aloha wrote: post #29
Jonovono wrote: post #9

Yep, I got this rejection when I made this tipping app ( https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tip-69/id1460610078 ). I went on to add OCR detection for receipts so you don't have to type in the amount, I added more tipping modes, I added split bill functionality, and eventually added an entire social network with the ability to share your receipt for the world to see, like or comment on. Must have spent months trying to get…

Huh, that looks useful for me!

That's what I tried telling them! "Apple, yes, there is lots of tipping apps. But do any easily tell you what to tip so your bill total ends in something dumb like 69? no!"
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