App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps • Hacker News Board

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

#51

Post by xg15 » Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 10:18 PM UTC

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.

I don't. Please tell me.

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

#52

Post by ClassyJacket » Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 10:18 PM UTC

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…

Don't forget that, specifically, Apple has kicked apps off the App Store whilst outright stealing their functionality.

They think copyright law should apply to everyone except themselves. Such bravery.

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

#53

Post by fevangelou » Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 10:19 PM UTC

Out of curiosity, since iOS seems to have a ~20% share in Romania, why not launch on Android first (which makes business sense at ~80% market share)? And if Apple keeps dicking around, at least make it easy for the mobile site to be installed as a web app to iOS homescreens.

@Apple Seriously?

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

#54

Post by EGreg » Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 10:19 PM UTC

This is actually great news for web developers. Everything he listed on the second try will soon be available on the Web. Why make a native app, indeed?

Notifications coming in iOS 16

Share button has long been available (navigator.share)

Location - implemented long ago

Buy - ApplePay for the Web

Add to calendar, subscribe to calendar is possible

Sending emails and SMS is possible

WebRTC and speaking with people in real time

Even the Contact Picker for adding contacts from your address book! You can turn it on right now in "experimental" features. Does anyone know if it's coming in iOS 16?

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

#55

Post by ClassyJacket » Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 10:19 PM UTC

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.

"Finally, developers are getting a tiny percentage of the revenue they deserve. Therefore, it's okay to steal from them, and destroy them completely."

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

#56

Post by Aachen » Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 10:20 PM UTC

smoldesu wrote: post #43

yazzku wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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..."

"Can your computer do ?"

No, it cannot do simple things anymore. We've just come that far.

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

#57

Post by nazgulsenpai » Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 10:20 PM UTC

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.

Prior to the iPhone and the AppStore, it wasn't possible to monetize computer software. We should be grateful our overlords allow us to develop the applications that are the foundation of that business model.

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

#58

Post by winkeltripel » Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 10:21 PM UTC

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.…

> the user's right to install what they want

Apple has no interest in any right that won't make them richer

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

#59

Post by Barrin92 » Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 10:21 PM UTC

With the Digital Markets act coming into power and the author hailing from Romania the one light at the end of the tunnel is that this soon will be over and at the very least users will be able to sideload your app. At this point I wouldn't waste any more time trying to appease the App Store bureaucracy.

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

#60

Post by SturgeonsLaw » Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 10:21 PM UTC

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.…

> Maybe some people do want a "too simple" app

In fact, aren't these preferable? I just want a weather app that shows me the current weather and a forecast, without any social bullshit, accounts, ads, etc.

Also, if iOS users have that "one app" they can't live without, surely it makes them stickier? Why would Apple want to limit the chances of hitting that spot with their users by curbing the number of apps available?