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Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it

inputmag.com

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Re: Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it

#41

Post by gumby »

smashah wrote: post #24
jpcrs wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> In one blatant example, Eleftheriou said he was approached by Apple’s head of mobile keyboard technology, Randy Marsden. The latter (who created the Swype keyboard) wanted to buy FlickType to add a native QWERTY for the Apple Watch and improve typing on the device. When Eleftheriou rejected Apple, it refused to remove copycat and scam apps from the App Store. I think he lost his chance. https://hitechglitz.com/the-…

You think they lowballed him?

Apple did used to be known for paying low of acquisitions (I don’t know if that’s changed in the last ten years).

Re: Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it

#42

Post by germandiago »

arvinsim wrote: post #29
aixi wrote: post #25

I don't think this is a very popular take, but swipe keyboards are extremely common right now; I don't believe Apple had an ulterior motive here.

That would be believable if Apple allowed Flicktype and released their own version later. The fact that they blocked it does show ulterior motive.

At least it is suspicious in fact.

Re: Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it

#43

Post by qwerty456127 »

> Apple had begun rejecting updates for the app because it required full system access, a fact that Eleftheriou disputed, saying that it still worked without the permissions.

Then why did it even ask for full system access? Did it? IMHO developers of the apps which ask for any permissions besides those technically necessary for performing the actual function the user installs the app for should be warned once and then banned for years.

Re: Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it

#44

Post by gus_massa »

jpcrs wrote: post #12
anshumankmr wrote: post #3

Wouldn’t it have been easier to have just acquired the keyboard app?

> In one blatant example, Eleftheriou said he was approached by Apple’s head of mobile keyboard technology, Randy Marsden. The latter (who created the Swype keyboard) wanted to buy FlickType to add a native QWERTY for the Apple Watch and improve typing on the device. When Eleftheriou rejected Apple, it refused to remove copycat and scam apps from the App Store. I think he lost his chance. https://hitechglitz.com/the-…

>> When Eleftheriou rejected Apple, it refused to remove copycat and scam apps from the App Store.

I agree that scam apps should be removed, but why did he expects copycats to be removed?

Re: Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it

#45

Post by jtbayly »

plebianRube wrote: post #18
anshumankmr wrote: post #3

Wouldn’t it have been easier to have just acquired the keyboard app?

They do try that route it seems. I remember when Siri was an app and it got pulled.

Siri got bought, and was not pulled until after that, IIRC.

Re: Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it

#46

Post by buran77 »

sodality2 wrote: post #34
jb1991 wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Apple wanted to buy FlickType but they didn't agree on the price or Eleftheriou didn't want to sell (I doubt it) Man, these Apple threads are always so full of open speculation. Edit: I find it very interesting that after multiple downvotes, suddenly I'm getting downvotes on lots of older comments of mine also. Are folks just going into comment histories to go on a downvote rampage?

> In one blatant example, Eleftheriou said he was approached by Apple’s head of mobile keyboard technology, Randy Marsden. The latter (who created the Swype keyboard) wanted to buy FlickType to add a native QWERTY for the Apple Watch and improve typing on the device. When Eleftheriou rejected Apple, it refused to remove copycat and scam apps from the App Store. https://hitechglitz.com/the-creator-of-the-previous-high…

Blocking the app was probably just a dick move and revenge in response to the rejection. The two softwares aren't actually competing, one now comes with the OS whether you want it or not.

If Apple now bans the use of an alternative keyboard despite it not breaking the rules then that's the real issue: they'd be arbitrarily choosing when to apply or ignore the stated terms of use of the store. Reinstating the app later on once the damage is done is a small price to pay from Apple's perspective.

On the other hand if your product is actually just a feature for someone else's product you're always exposing yourself to a situation where the product developer just builds that feature in.

Think of other fields where you may offer an aftermarket solution like a car seat heating cover but the market evaporates the moment the manufacturer starts offering that as standard.

Re: Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it

#48

Post by tmotwu »

abcd_f wrote: post #32
smashah wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You think they lowballed him?

Unless this guy had a patent, any offer is a good offer. It’s not a terribly complicated feature to do from scratch and it does logically belong to the OS. Blocking it from the store was an ass move, if it indeed happened as described and there’s no hidden context.

These excuses just keep getting funnier. App developers: make sure you file your patents, or else its YOUR fault if Apple decides to participate in blatant 90s style Microsoft anticompetitive behavior.

Re: Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it

#50

Post by NKosmatos »

jb1991 wrote: post #31
NKosmatos wrote: post #16

Very typical of Apple, using opaque approval procedures. They're acting like bullies because they didn't get what they wanted and because they have the money/power to do so. Apple wanted to buy FlickType but they didn't agree on the price or Eleftheriou didn't want to sell (I doubt it), and so from then onwards started the downhill ride. I fully support Eleftheriou on this just for the principle, but if I were in his…

> Apple wanted to buy FlickType but they didn't agree on the price or Eleftheriou didn't want to sell (I doubt it) Man, these Apple threads are always so full of open speculation. Edit: I find it very interesting that after multiple downvotes, suddenly I'm getting downvotes on lots of older comments of mine also. Are folks just going into comment histories to go on a downvote rampage?

It's not speculation, Apple for sure wanted to buy and had invited over Kostas to demo FlickType. Kostas for sure wanted to sell, since he went over at Apple to showcase his very good and usable watch keyboard. They didn't agree on a price and thus parted ways.
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