Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons • Hacker News Board

Re: Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons

#21

Post by darkchasma » Thu, Jul 25, 2013, 7:32 PM UTC

MrKurtz wrote: post #14

darkchasma wrote: post #10

I would like to get an official statement by either company before I jump to conclusions. I seem to recall someone at google claiming that Apple had not yet approved the Maps app and it wasn't even submitted yet. Apple used to do a lot of sketchy stuff like this, so we all assume it's true. But until I see something official, then I'll hold judgement.

Treehouse's comment is included in the post: We teach Android at Treehouse as well, but Apple has refused to let us release the app while including Android content. At the time of review several other applications in the App Store included Android content, but in our case we were told it was against App Store guidelines to have Android content in our app. http://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/07/25/tech-education-startup..…

Actually, the article I wanted to see was mentioned above: http://tech.co/treehouse-ipad-app-2013-07. Coming from a press release, or a quote from the CEO. TNW however did not relay who the quote was coming from, and some random guy at treehouse may not have all the facts. But apparently, Apple is up to it's old tricks.

Re: Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons

#22

Post by NicoJuicy » Thu, Jul 25, 2013, 8:06 PM UTC

MrKurtz wrote: post #14

darkchasma wrote: post #10

I would like to get an official statement by either company before I jump to conclusions. I seem to recall someone at google claiming that Apple had not yet approved the Maps app and it wasn't even submitted yet. Apple used to do a lot of sketchy stuff like this, so we all assume it's true. But until I see something official, then I'll hold judgement.

Treehouse's comment is included in the post: We teach Android at Treehouse as well, but Apple has refused to let us release the app while including Android content. At the time of review several other applications in the App Store included Android content, but in our case we were told it was against App Store guidelines to have Android content in our app. http://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/07/25/tech-education-startup..…

I'm more irritated by waiting 6 months to approve an Siri competitor app:

http://www.geek.com/apple/google-now-for-ios-is-ready-but-ap...

It's the same as censorship... Apple can copy the Google Now features, update their app.

And 2 months later they approve Google Now... Tell me where something like that isn't anti-competitive behaviour.

Re: Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons

#23

Post by pixie_ » Thu, Jul 25, 2013, 8:14 PM UTC

It's amazing what charisma can do. Apple has acted like an evil censor/gatekeeper since the iPhone was released. Microsoft didn't act anywhere close to this bad in the 90s. And Microsoft is looked down on and Apple is still cool.

Re: Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons

#24

Post by pjmlp » Thu, Jul 25, 2013, 8:17 PM UTC

While they are free to do whatever they want with their platform, it is interesting to see Apple returning to the old (pre-Mac OS X) behaviors, now that Apple managed to achieve a considerable market share.

Re: Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons

#25

Post by npsimons » Thu, Jul 25, 2013, 8:21 PM UTC

pixie_ wrote: post #23

It's amazing what charisma can do. Apple has acted like an evil censor/gatekeeper since the iPhone was released. Microsoft didn't act anywhere close to this bad in the 90s. And Microsoft is looked down on and Apple is still cool.

Apple has always acted this way, they just haven't had this kind of leverage before. Really, this shouldn't surprise anyone who's familiar with their history. Apple has always been a top notch PR firm and ad agency, albeit they are their own (and only) client.

Re: Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons

#26

Post by acangiano » Thu, Jul 25, 2013, 8:33 PM UTC

pixie_ wrote: post #23

It's amazing what charisma can do. Apple has acted like an evil censor/gatekeeper since the iPhone was released. Microsoft didn't act anywhere close to this bad in the 90s. And Microsoft is looked down on and Apple is still cool.

Just a theory, but this is the company equivalent of getting away with so much if you are gorgeous looking. We are all aesthetes to some degree, so we are far more forgiving with a company like Apple that knows how to tickle those senses with beautiful design.

Re: Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons

#27

Post by cormullion » Thu, Jul 25, 2013, 9:00 PM UTC

It's worth pointing out that the iBook store has dozens of books for Android development. Perhaps apps have different rules...

Re: Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons

#28

Post by drcube » Thu, Jul 25, 2013, 9:03 PM UTC

Why is the Treehouse CEO saying "Man, this is ridiculous" while still playing along with Apple's bullshit?

Might as well compromise your product and your users to make a few extra bucks, right?

Grow some balls and stand up to your bullies, friend. Your product is popular. People will request it. Keep it off the App Store until Apple comes begging you to submit it again.

Re: Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons

#29

Post by melvinram » Thu, Jul 25, 2013, 9:18 PM UTC

drcube wrote: post #28

Why is the Treehouse CEO saying "Man, this is ridiculous" while still playing along with Apple's bullshit? Might as well compromise your product and your users to make a few extra bucks, right? Grow some balls and stand up to your bullies, friend. Your product is popular. People will request it. Keep it off the App Store until Apple comes begging you to submit it again.

They are not charging extra for the app so it's not "to make a few extra bucks."

They are attempting to do the best job they can for their customers. Depriving your customers because you want to take a principled stand by taking steps that is almostly completely guaranteed to not work just makes no business sense.

Re: Treehouse Launches iPad App, Apple Prohibits Android Lessons

#30

Post by drcube » Thu, Jul 25, 2013, 9:27 PM UTC

melvinram wrote: post #29

drcube wrote: post #28

Why is the Treehouse CEO saying "Man, this is ridiculous" while still playing along with Apple's bullshit? Might as well compromise your product and your users to make a few extra bucks, right? Grow some balls and stand up to your bullies, friend. Your product is popular. People will request it. Keep it off the App Store until Apple comes begging you to submit it again.

They are not charging extra for the app so it's not "to make a few extra bucks." They are attempting to do the best job they can for their customers. Depriving your customers because you want to take a principled stand by taking steps that is almostly completely guaranteed to not work just makes no business sense.

So they're going to play censor for "business sense" but it's not about money?

Morals outrank money. And it's not even economically a bad decision on a long enough time scale. What's going to make your company look the best ten years from now? Taking a principled stand against censors, on behalf of your users, while maintaining your product's integrity and vision? Or sacrificing your product in order to temporarily gain a few more IOS users, while Apple continues to make themselves look like malevolent idiots?

If I were a business owner, I know what I'd choose.