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Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

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Re: Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

#21

Post by detourdog »

Muhammad523 wrote: post #4

This is what happens when you run an OS controlled by some random big corporation. I dont mean that it's the person's fault, but just that you should not rely on Apple. they allow you to use your computer, but on their terms. Install some GNU/Linux distro and you can do whatever you want.

Apple is hardly a random big company. Apple's customers specifically chose to purchase the product. Most of their customers don't realize the significance of the exposure to copy and paste between Apps. Apple has taken the position that monitoring this exposure is part of their duty to the customer. Anyone that is aware of this shortcoming in Apple's product is free to purchase a different device.

Re: Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

#22

Post by [deleted] »

spiral90210 wrote: post #14

SpaceGremlin (mac alternative to WinDirStat) has a similar thing, where some features only work in the independent "SpaceGremlinPro" version downloaded from their site. However, they do some cool stuff with licensing - you can point it to the app store paid/installed version, and it detects the license and unlocks. If you're worried about people not trusting payment to you, might be worth seeing if you could implemen…

[deleted]

Re: Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

#23

Post by callc »

functionmouse wrote: post #10
Muhammad523 wrote: post #4

This is what happens when you run an OS controlled by some random big corporation. I dont mean that it's the person's fault, but just that you should not rely on Apple. they allow you to use your computer, but on their terms. Install some GNU/Linux distro and you can do whatever you want.

for most people this is like saying "If you don't like being oppressed, just move to Antarctica!"

Maybe more like “Learn how to replace an AC filter by yourself instead of calling an AC repair company”

I just installed PopOS on a laptop recently, and… it just worked. There’s an app store for noobs that I think installs flatpaks. GPU drivers just work. Whole disk encryption. Everything just works.

I don’t see what else my grandma that just uses Facebook would need. Maybe automatic updates?

Re: Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

#24

Post by [deleted] »

Muhammad523 wrote: post #4

This is what happens when you run an OS controlled by some random big corporation. I dont mean that it's the person's fault, but just that you should not rely on Apple. they allow you to use your computer, but on their terms. Install some GNU/Linux distro and you can do whatever you want.

[deleted]

Re: Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

#25

Post by functionmouse »

callc wrote: post #23
functionmouse wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

for most people this is like saying "If you don't like being oppressed, just move to Antarctica!"

Maybe more like “Learn how to replace an AC filter by yourself instead of calling an AC repair company” I just installed PopOS on a laptop recently, and… it just worked. There’s an app store for noobs that I think installs flatpaks. GPU drivers just work. Whole disk encryption. Everything just works. I don’t see what else my grandma that just uses Facebook would need. Maybe automatic updates?

No. Changing one's primary operating system takes time, dedication, and is a lifestyle change, similar to moving somewhere remote. Changing ones AC filter is none of those things.

If you and your grandma only rely on the computer for its web browser, then good for you. You have flexibility that is not afforded to most people. But that's not how a person's phone works; phones dig a lot deeper into one's lifestyle, intentionally so. The walled garden was constructed to keep outsiders out, but now it seems the primary purpose is keeping those inside hostage.

Re: Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

#26

Post by coldtea »

Muhammad523 wrote: post #4

This is what happens when you run an OS controlled by some random big corporation. I dont mean that it's the person's fault, but just that you should not rely on Apple. they allow you to use your computer, but on their terms. Install some GNU/Linux distro and you can do whatever you want.

>This is what happens when you run an OS controlled by some random big corporation

You get a channel for installing apps, where someone vetoes random apps that want to have access to control your whole computer and potentially steal sensitive data?

>Install some GNU/Linux distro and you can do whatever you want.

And any random app can get total control and steal your data, unless you know how to enable restrictions. I'd rather have restrictions as the default, and for the most naive users who'd follow every app prompt, and then cry about their lost work/private documents/money, no way to bypass them.

Re: Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

#28

Post by applfanboysbgon »

amazingamazing wrote: post #19
kuboble wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Them you are free to not install them? Why ban them outright? I'm using https://github.com/cjpais/Handy whichseems to be doing exactly what this app does, and has a very similar background story (author couldn't type die to injury).

To their defense you cannot rollback apps, so if you did install and only an update had this function, you are out of luck

"In their defense, the OS is even more insane with mandatory forced application updates that you have no control of". I hope I won't ever happen to have you representing me as a defense attourney!

Re: Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

#29

Post by mrweasel »

kuboble wrote: post #12
DelightOne wrote: post #6

I don't want random apps to paste potentially dangerous things into other apps. Its understandable. Imagine a banking app, and for example an IBAN field.

Them you are free to not install them? Why ban them outright? I'm using https://github.com/cjpais/Handy whichseems to be doing exactly what this app does, and has a very similar background story (author couldn't type die to injury).

In this case it feels like it's a feature that the operating system should be providing or something that could be marked as an accessibility tool, which would allow it to use that API.

The problem from Apples perspective could be that there is a ton of tools that require access to the accessibility API because they want to do stuff that Apple have deemed a security risk and the only way to do it is by abusing the API. Some of these are also because macOS simply lacks certain APIs.

I think Apple overreacting due to previous API misuse by other apps.

Re: Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

#30

Post by boxed »

DelightOne wrote: post #6

I don't want random apps to paste potentially dangerous things into other apps. Its understandable. Imagine a banking app, and for example an IBAN field.

Pasting doesn't seem very unsafe. Especially not when the app can't know what it's pasting into.
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