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Apple takes down another indie dev

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Re: Apple takes down another indie dev

#71

Post by squeaky-clean »

radley wrote: post #53
forrestthewoods wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ehh I'm not sure I'd consider this either an "alternate desktop/home screen environment" or something that "simulate(s) multi-App experiences". It's a collection of action shortcuts. iOS 8 does something similar when you double tap the home button. It shows recent contacts at the top and tapping one expands into actions such as call or text. I mean I get it. Apple is King and if you stand too close to the line they p…

It's essentially an Android-like home screen allowing icons & widgets.

It's not a home screen, but a widget placed in the pull-down notifications bar.

Re: Apple takes down another indie dev

#73

Post by kgarten »

pgodzin wrote: post #55
kijeda wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The article essentially chronicles surprise that this app would be rejected. What you describe is you believe the terms are unjust. These are two different things. I may not agree with the speed limit on the freeway, but I am not surprised if I am ticketed for going over it.

A big issue is that the app was approved in the first place. If I'm having an emergency and a cop stops me and says it's fine to speed, then tickets me a mile later, I would be surprised.

Not really the right comparison ... more like: you pass a speed control without being flashed and in the next mile you get a ticket. That can happen.

Re: Apple takes down another indie dev

#74

Post by happyscrappy »

freyrs3 wrote: post #37
karl_gluck wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's what we "agree" to. As in, we have no other choice. They could write a clause that said your third child must be named Macintosh and everyone would "agree" to it because there is no other option. That does not mean it's right. Consider this: It's the late 1990's and the Terms of Service for Microsoft Windows contains "10.4 Apps that create alternate web browser environments are not allowed". Microsoft has its pa…

Oh, we most certainly do have a choice, especially as developers. If enough of us don't support their infrastructure or buy their products then we most certainly can effect change and their bottom-line. Don't be upset and powerless, be proactive and don't support Apple in any way.

If you don't develop for Apple because you are under the misapprehension that the Play Store is more open there will be plenty of people willing to take the money.

Re: Apple takes down another indie dev

#75

Post by joelrunyon »

jokoon wrote: post #24

I think one day will come, OS manufacturers will be the only one actually releasing applications for their systems. Computers will just turn into consoles. To be honest, apple just makes computers that work like consoles.

Russell Kirsch (inventor of the 1st programmable computer) agrees with you - http://impossiblehq.com/an-unexpected-ass-kicking

Re: Apple takes down another indie dev

#76

Post by [deleted] »

DodgyEggplant wrote: post #51

Dave Winer (in 2007): “Sometimes developers choose a niche that’s either directly in the path of the vendor, or even worse, on the roadmap of the vendor. In those cases, they don’t really deserve our sympathy.” As usual, it's all written in the bible http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2009/06/10c.html

[deleted]

Re: Apple takes down another indie dev

#77

Post by Zikes »

chrisBob wrote: post #56
Zikes wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Another missed step - Apple approved the "gray area" app in the first place.

Apple isn't a single infallible guy. I am sure that reviewer got reprimanded, and told to escalate anything that ground breaking in the future.

Is each app really reviewed by only one person?

If the terms are so easy to understand that this dev should have known better in creating a "gray area" app, shouldn't the reviewer(s) be expected have an even better understanding?

This has happened so extremely often that it's become a meme. This is now considered standard behavior for Apple. When I think of iPhone development, my very first thought is of the uncertain and fickle nature of their app approval process.

Re: Apple takes down another indie dev

#78

Post by sosborn »

cageface wrote: post #67
sosborn wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>This kind of nervous uncertainty among devs is bad for the platform. Is that really true? This has been going on since day one and yet the platform is thriving.

I wouldn't say the app market is thriving. It's been dominated by the same gimmicky IAP games for a long time, is full of hacky junk apps, and noticeably devoid of serious productivity apps. More and more prominent indies are throwing in the towel and taking jobs, which probably means less innovation. And usage stats show user engagement for new apps at half of what it was a year ago. Even a cheerleader like Marco Ar…

>It's been dominated by the same gimmicky IAP games for a long time, is full of hacky junk apps, and noticeably devoid of serious productivity apps.

These things are a turn off for us, but that doesn't mean that the market is failing.

Re: Apple takes down another indie dev

#79

Post by chrisBob »

Zikes wrote: post #77
chrisBob wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple isn't a single infallible guy. I am sure that reviewer got reprimanded, and told to escalate anything that ground breaking in the future.

Is each app really reviewed by only one person? If the terms are so easy to understand that this dev should have known better in creating a "gray area" app, shouldn't the reviewer(s) be expected have an even better understanding? This has happened so extremely often that it's become a meme. This is now considered standard behavior for Apple. When I think of iPhone development, my very first thought is of the uncertai…

I don't know anything about the internal process, but I can't imaging that they have many people look at each app. Its actually impressive to me that they are paying an employee good money to test free apps.

You probably won't get an answer to that here from anyone who knows. The only Apple employee I knew at school was really weird about it. When I asked what she did I got "Apple employs sales, technical and engineering staff in the Boston area". Perhaps some of the folks in CA are a little more open/laid back.

Re: Apple takes down another indie dev

#80

Post by bradleyland »

cageface wrote: post #67
sosborn wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>This kind of nervous uncertainty among devs is bad for the platform. Is that really true? This has been going on since day one and yet the platform is thriving.

I wouldn't say the app market is thriving. It's been dominated by the same gimmicky IAP games for a long time, is full of hacky junk apps, and noticeably devoid of serious productivity apps. More and more prominent indies are throwing in the towel and taking jobs, which probably means less innovation. And usage stats show user engagement for new apps at half of what it was a year ago. Even a cheerleader like Marco Ar…

These two things can be true at the same time:

> This kind of nervous uncertainty among devs is bad for the platform.

> The platform is thriving.

It is difficult to argue that this kind of activity on Apple's part creates uncertainty. Apple weighs this as a trade-off. What is consistent about Apple is that they err on the side of the user; or at least what they perceive to be of benefit to the user.

That is what many of these disagreements come down to.

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