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App Store Spam - 28 identical apps, one developer

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Re: App Store Spam - 28 identical apps, one developer

#11

Post by [deleted] »

d_r wrote: post #10
jon914 wrote: post #3

Apple's been fairly lax lately with its checking. A friend's game that we were able to get crashing on launch 100% of the time passed through the original submit process without a peep. The same friend, just for kicks, submitted a deliberately broken app that didn't crash but showed a blank screen after launch. It also got approved without incident. It's like Apple just ran automated tests, but no human ever saw it.…

It's hit or miss. Once I made a free app that displayed a picture of a cartoon cow and made a "Moooo" sound when you turned the phone upside down. I had a toy like that as a kid. Okay, don't judge me -- but I thought I would be a fun quick idea and any kids (and even some adults) to whom I've shown the prototype loved it. I had an artist draw the cow, and bought rights to a sound I really liked. The app was rejected…

[deleted]

Re: App Store Spam - 28 identical apps, one developer

#12

Post by fleitz »

DrJokepu wrote: post #8
jon914 wrote: post #3

Apple's been fairly lax lately with its checking. A friend's game that we were able to get crashing on launch 100% of the time passed through the original submit process without a peep. The same friend, just for kicks, submitted a deliberately broken app that didn't crash but showed a blank screen after launch. It also got approved without incident. It's like Apple just ran automated tests, but no human ever saw it.…

I have observed the same thing. On the other hand however, when I submit my apps, somehow I always end up getting allocated to reviewers who fancy a little argument / rejection cycle about the finer details of the more exotic parts of the Human Interface Guidelines. I suspect that it relates to the price tag of the app.

I've gotten busted for minor HIG violations on free apps (using a button incorrectly) so I think it's just luck of the draw.

Re: App Store Spam - 28 identical apps, one developer

#15

Post by lowglow »

dmauro wrote: post #14

Seems like a good way to do some experiments with what catches people's eyes and how much they're willing to pay for a white noise generator. If Apple's going to let him do it, more power to him.

I'd be interested to see the analytical results from his research. It should prove to be quite illuminating.

Re: App Store Spam - 28 identical apps, one developer

#18

Post by kennywinker »

dmauro wrote: post #14

Seems like a good way to do some experiments with what catches people's eyes and how much they're willing to pay for a white noise generator. If Apple's going to let him do it, more power to him.

This is hacker news, some respect for people who find loopholes in a system is due, of course. But basically I think the point is that Apple shouldn't let him do it. The app store is worse for users and developers because of it.

If it was just about science, he could have pulled 27 of the apps a month ago.

I wouldn't say no to a peek at his download stats though. ;)

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