Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support

#1

Post by FreakyT » Thu, Apr 23, 2015, 1:37 PM UTC

Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support
forums.getpebble.com

Re: Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support

#2

Post by toxican » Thu, Apr 23, 2015, 1:57 PM UTC

I think I want to see more information before I grab my pitchfork. From the replies,

> are you sure you're a developer? because this has been part of iOS submission guidelines for 4 years. (developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#metadata)

I mean I really wouldn't put it past Apple to start enforcing this more aggressively because of the iWatch, but a forum post by some dev is hardly proof that Apple is intentionally rejecting Pebble-supporting apps. After all, let's look at another comment:

> By that logic, Apple should also reject Pebble's app.

Which they haven't done yet.

Re: Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support

#3

Post by canistr » Thu, Apr 23, 2015, 1:57 PM UTC

IIRC, this has to do with specifying "Pebble" and competitors in the App Store description. Same issue has occurred with apps that specify Samsung, Google, etc. in their descriptions and screenshots.

You just have to remove them.

Re: Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support

#4

Post by sesteel » Thu, Apr 23, 2015, 1:59 PM UTC

I am no lawyer, but this sounds like an antitrust lawsuit waiting to happen. Apple, IMO, should not be allowed to monopolize their platform in this way.

Re: Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support

#5

Post by zamalek » Thu, Apr 23, 2015, 2:03 PM UTC

toxican wrote: post #2

I think I want to see more information before I grab my pitchfork. From the replies, > are you sure you're a developer? because this has been part of iOS submission guidelines for 4 years. (developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#metadata) I mean I really wouldn't put it past Apple to start enforcing this more aggressively because of the iWatch, but a forum post by some dev is hardly proof that Apple is inte…

The truth is that it goes far beyond the unfairness to this specific developer and far beyond whether the developer neglected to check the TOS 4 years ago.

Apple is a vile anti-competitive monstrosity. These jerks needed to be slammed with a lawsuit long before this one single example of their flamboyant and abundant anti-competitive behavior.

Re: Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support

#6

Post by ohjesusthatguy1 » Thu, Apr 23, 2015, 2:03 PM UTC

"From Apple 3.1 - Apps or metadata that mentions the name of any other mobile platform will be rejected"

Doesn't seem that difficult to understand to me. Is this the one?:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/seanav-us-nautical-charts/id... It looks like they'd have had to add the "works with pebble" item for this go-around.

EDIT: The pebble mention has been in the description for a while: https://web.archive.org/web/20140214043815/https://itunes.ap...

It's just being rejected this time. And why is this surprising behavior from Apple?

Re: Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support

#7

Post by jimrandomh » Thu, Apr 23, 2015, 2:03 PM UTC

sesteel wrote: post #4

I am no lawyer, but this sounds like an antitrust lawsuit waiting to happen. Apple, IMO, should not be allowed to monopolize their platform in this way.

If the Microsoft antitrust lawsuit proved anything, it's that the US government is not powerful enough to bring meaningful enforcement action against a corporation of that size.

Re: Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support

#8

Post by gabeio » Thu, Apr 23, 2015, 2:03 PM UTC

sesteel wrote: post #4

I am no lawyer, but this sounds like an antitrust lawsuit waiting to happen. Apple, IMO, should not be allowed to monopolize their platform in this way.

They didn't say the support had to be removed just the mentioning of the other platform.

Re: Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support

#9

Post by slackstation » Thu, Apr 23, 2015, 2:04 PM UTC

Why do people even feign objection at this point? You have built your house on someone else's land. Don't be surprised when they force you to tear down the guest house you just built.

Re: Apple now rejecting apps with Pebble Smartwatch support

#10

Post by yoda_sl » Thu, Apr 23, 2015, 2:04 PM UTC

Not sure what really is the big deal here... Apple had I think such requirements for not mentioning any other products or even mentioning pricing in your product description aka "On sale today only for $0.99" will get the same rejection... It is ok to put a %

So this is nothing new and just one Apple employee/reviewers that follow the rules from the guidelines... If the folks that were submitting the app try to resubmit and remove references of Pebble, most likely their app will be approved without problems.

Since their issue is with the app description, it is simply a metadata rejection of the app, and the developer do not even need to submit a new binary: just edit the app description and problem solved...

It shouldn't even made it in the top HN stories IMHO