This sucks as a developer and I sympathize.
But, I absolutely hate when I have to download an app for something that could have been a website.
App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps
181–190 of 364 posts
Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps
#182Maybe this is a controversial opinion but I think I agree with Apple here.
The Google and Microsoft stores are absolutely full of completely useless featureless apps, many of which exist only to trick you into thinking that it is something else.
My general mental rule is "could this app be a website"? And in this case it absolutely could be.
Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps
#183Earlier quoted context omitted.
FWIW, I completely got your point. The Android ecosystem is horrible for this kind of thing. There are roughly 200,000 varieties of calculator apps. Why? There should be some criteria to help consumers avoid poorly supported simplistic clones that are often just filled with adware.
Is there? If 200,000 calculator apps all fulfill your need, what is the problem? Just use one, and if it doesn't, use another. Use the stock one if you want, or ask some friends what they use. I agree rating systems are not an effective measure, and can be gamed, however.
There's something to be said for knowing you're using the best available app for something. Obviously, if that means keeping better apps out of the pool, that's a failure. However, one near-guarantee with 200,000 calculator apps is that whatever app you are using is suboptimal: you are definitely not using the one that would work best for your use cases, flow, comfort, or whatever. For some people, none of that matters. For others, the FOMO wears on them.
Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps
#184We created https://www.glideapps.com/ for the niche apps that people want, but Apple doesn't!
Also powered by Google Sheets, as OP's app is.
Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps
#185Earlier 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.
Every developer does, but I doubt that's the case for users. They like the App Store, true, but few of them are aware of what kinds of barriers Apple places to new apps there.
Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps
#186Earlier quoted context omitted.
FWIW, I completely got your point. The Android ecosystem is horrible for this kind of thing. There are roughly 200,000 varieties of calculator apps. Why? There should be some criteria to help consumers avoid poorly supported simplistic clones that are often just filled with adware.
> There should be some criteria Aren't ratings and reviews good enough?
Ratings and reviews are localised. I see different ratings and reviews than you.
Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps
#187Maybe this is a controversial opinion but I think I agree with Apple here. The Google and Microsoft stores are absolutely full of completely useless featureless apps, many of which exist only to trick you into thinking that it is something else. My general mental rule is "could this app be a website"? And in this case it absolutely could be.
Especially now that you can add a website as an icon to the home screen and it largely feels like a real app.
Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps
#188Maybe this is a controversial opinion but I think I agree with Apple here. The Google and Microsoft stores are absolutely full of completely useless featureless apps, many of which exist only to trick you into thinking that it is something else. My general mental rule is "could this app be a website"? And in this case it absolutely could be.
Ah, so Reddit for example should not be allowed an app?
Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps
#189Yep, 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…
I'm honestly blown away that Apple approved an app to suggest "funny" tip amounts in a thread where we're complaining that that Apple's standards are too high.
It's not hard to comprehend. Apple has a huge pool of apps to deal with. Enforcement is inconsistent. There are apps that are being overpoliced while bait-and-switch scams are floating to the top of the ratings.
Re: App Store doesn't accept “too simple” apps
#190Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you’re not the target audience, then that’s fine but it’s pretty rude to insult someone’s work just because you’re too high brow for it. Not every app has to be a serious thing that revolutionizes the world. Sometimes, people want and appreciate “stupid” apps.
To be clear, I am absolutely not "too high brow" for such an app. I, personally, wouldn't use it, but like I said I appreciate a 69 joke. But if Apple is going to insist on a curated App Store, then an app like this should not be allowed.
I mean, clearly not, the app is now published. And who are you to say, in any case? If Apple had a bar, it's up to them to know what it is and enforce it.
Parent comment never said Apple had a problem with the concept, but that the execution was "too simple". Once enough functionality was added, the app seemed to be approved.