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I bought Friendster for $30k – Here's what I'm doing with it

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Re: I bought Friendster for $30k – Here's what I'm doing with it

#281

Post by geoffmanning »

plandis wrote: post #233
callc wrote: post #221

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This argument falls apart since there is no real freedom of choice, and the importance of smartphones in our lives. People are becoming more aware that they don’t want a corporation in control over this essential near ubiquitous technology. I see no good reason to follow a “it’s a corporation they can do whatever they want” mindset

Who is forcing you to exclusively buy into Apple’s ecosystem? Are other competitors banned where you live?

Who the heck are you? Are you a real person? I don't understand how any human can argue that this is ok.

Re: I bought Friendster for $30k – Here's what I'm doing with it

#282

Post by xhevahir »

0xbadcafebee wrote: post #164

> this failed Apple App Store review because of Guideline 4.2 — Design — Minimum Functionality. They said “the usefulness of the app is limited because it seems to be intended for a small, or niche, set of users. Specifically, the app is intended for invited friends only.” This is why we need laws regulating mobile platforms. Apple shouldn't be able to dictate what you use your phone for, or what apps you can give to…

That rule reminds me of Raya. Isn't the whole idea of that service (which is only available on iOS, I think) that it's only intended for a small group of users, who've been invited?

Re: I bought Friendster for $30k – Here's what I'm doing with it

#283

Post by nerdsniper »

xhevahir wrote: post #282
0xbadcafebee wrote: post #164

> this failed Apple App Store review because of Guideline 4.2 — Design — Minimum Functionality. They said “the usefulness of the app is limited because it seems to be intended for a small, or niche, set of users. Specifically, the app is intended for invited friends only.” This is why we need laws regulating mobile platforms. Apple shouldn't be able to dictate what you use your phone for, or what apps you can give to…

That rule reminds me of Raya. Isn't the whole idea of that service (which is only available on iOS, I think) that it's only intended for a small group of users, who've been invited?

It's for rich people though, different rules apply when you're well-connected.

Re: I bought Friendster for $30k – Here's what I'm doing with it

#284

Post by fc417fc802 »

derwiki wrote: post #160
chr15m wrote: post #98

Here's what I would do. 1. Make it QR code scanning instead of tapping so it can be a PWA. 2. Make it a PWA. This will make it accessible to many more people. Nobody wants to install an app. Nobody wants to install a PWA either but they will at least use a "web site" (a surprising number will install it if it's good). 3. Save yourself a lot of money by building it on top of the Nostr protocol. Run a relay yourself if…

Nobody wants to install an app?

Personally I'll only install FOSS apps on my phone and I go out of my way to actively discourage (to varying degrees of success) my relatives from installing arbitrary junk that they surely don't need on their phones.

Re: I bought Friendster for $30k – Here's what I'm doing with it

#285

Post by ventana »

0xbadcafebee wrote: post #164

> this failed Apple App Store review because of Guideline 4.2 — Design — Minimum Functionality. They said “the usefulness of the app is limited because it seems to be intended for a small, or niche, set of users. Specifically, the app is intended for invited friends only.” This is why we need laws regulating mobile platforms. Apple shouldn't be able to dictate what you use your phone for, or what apps you can give to…

Not trying to defend App Store policies, but writing this just for those who are struggling with Guideline 4.2 trying to publish an app that is only intended for a small group of users. There is a less well-known option called "unlisted app distribution", similar to unlisted YouTube videos: the app is public and can be downloaded using the direct link, but it cannot be found in App Store search. The "small, or niche, set of users" guideline normally does not apply for such apps.

To request unlisted distribution for your app, send it for review as usual, then file a special form [1], and mention that in the review notes.

Source: I struggled with Guideline 4.2 when I tried to publish an app showing the bell schedule and other local information for the neighborhood school. Its audience is, indeed, not of Apple scale: the school parents living nearby. Apple refused it as 4.2 and only agreed to publish it as unlisted, which I was okay with, because sharing the link between the parents was not a big deal. Google had no problems with publishing the Android app normally though.

[1]: https://developer.apple.com/support/unlisted-app-distributio...

Re: I bought Friendster for $30k – Here's what I'm doing with it

#287

Post by raymondgh »

0xbadcafebee wrote: post #164

> this failed Apple App Store review because of Guideline 4.2 — Design — Minimum Functionality. They said “the usefulness of the app is limited because it seems to be intended for a small, or niche, set of users. Specifically, the app is intended for invited friends only.” This is why we need laws regulating mobile platforms. Apple shouldn't be able to dictate what you use your phone for, or what apps you can give to…

It’s uncomfortable to agree because I think companies should decide what they do and don’t allow in the ecosystems they own. But once an ecosystem becomes so pervasive & necessary, I think control must be turned over to the people.

Re: I bought Friendster for $30k – Here's what I'm doing with it

#288

Post by larusso »

esperent wrote: post #272
card_zero wrote: post #229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What even is the idea, what would be the value in weeding out niche apps, if they did it consistently? To reduce the work involved in keeping everything in the garden lovely?

I've been thinking about this because I'm working on an internal company tool. It's a web app but I was thinking about creating mobile apps. In the age of agentic coding, that's no longer a massive undertaking like it used to be. However, I'm completely blocked by Apple app store review. There's no way an app designed for 30 people would pass. I can't get an internal app onto people's phone. I could release it as a t…

There is Apple enterprise for this reason. Depending on the set of APIs you want to use (which should be limited since you spoke of webapps), it allows you to distribute internal business apps.

Don’t know how known this is. But we use it mainly for internal testing.

Re: I bought Friendster for $30k – Here's what I'm doing with it

#289

Post by linohh »

esperent wrote: post #272
card_zero wrote: post #229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What even is the idea, what would be the value in weeding out niche apps, if they did it consistently? To reduce the work involved in keeping everything in the garden lovely?

I've been thinking about this because I'm working on an internal company tool. It's a web app but I was thinking about creating mobile apps. In the age of agentic coding, that's no longer a massive undertaking like it used to be. However, I'm completely blocked by Apple app store review. There's no way an app designed for 30 people would pass. I can't get an internal app onto people's phone. I could release it as a t…

For internal apps, you could go through ADEP [1] if you want to avoid the app store + review + custom apps route. But eligibility requriements have been tightened over the years IIRC.

[1] - https://developer.apple.com/programs/enterprise/

Re: I bought Friendster for $30k – Here's what I'm doing with it

#290

Post by KPGv2 »

ventana wrote: post #285
0xbadcafebee wrote: post #164

> this failed Apple App Store review because of Guideline 4.2 — Design — Minimum Functionality. They said “the usefulness of the app is limited because it seems to be intended for a small, or niche, set of users. Specifically, the app is intended for invited friends only.” This is why we need laws regulating mobile platforms. Apple shouldn't be able to dictate what you use your phone for, or what apps you can give to…

Not trying to defend App Store policies, but writing this just for those who are struggling with Guideline 4.2 trying to publish an app that is only intended for a small group of users. There is a less well-known option called "unlisted app distribution", similar to unlisted YouTube videos: the app is public and can be downloaded using the direct link, but it cannot be found in App Store search. The "small, or niche,…

> I struggled with Guideline 4.2 when I tried to publish an app showing the bell schedule and other local information for the neighborhood school.

Why would you not just make this a webpage, and then the users could add it to home page as if it were an app? no Apple review necessary then. What does it being an app give you besides bureaucratic headaches?

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