Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Apple rejected my dictation app for using the accessibility API

mitmllc.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 200 posts

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

#41

Post by RZelaya »

mrweasel wrote: post #29
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).

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 AP…

[dead]

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

#42

Post by MichaelZuo »

functionmouse wrote: post #25
callc wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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, int…

You make people sound like they are semi-automatons?

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

#43

Post by Muhammad523 »

functionmouse wrote: post #25
callc wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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, int…

If a 15 years old can do so (me) then other people can do so as well. I did not feel uncomfortable at all when i first installed ElementaryOS and then moved to Fedora. everything just works, i never ever had to worry about drivers or stuff like that

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

#44

Post by RZelaya »

robgough wrote: post #38

I recently built a similar app, and so hit the same limitations – I wasn't too upset on Mac, happy to distribute without the App Store (though it's a shame). Where I was more frustrated was how much this limited the potential usability of the iPhone app. Because of app store restrictions it is a far worse app ... though like in your example, still useful to a degree. I can only hope they use the new CEO as an opportu…

[dead]

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

#45

Post by RZelaya »

BoggleOhYeah wrote: post #35

Eh. I think it’s fair if Apple doesn’t want to publish something on their app store. I just wish they weren’t so obstinate about people installing from other sources without signing/notarization. I understand it from a security standpoint but it’s also nakedly self-serving. I’m glad that they’re fine with signing in this case.

Fair points. The notarization-but-not-App-Store path was actually a workable middle ground in my case. Apple still gates security via notarization, but doesn't gatekeep the use case. The warnings users see when installing non-App-Store apps could be lighter without compromising security.

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

#46

Post by RZelaya »

SyneRyder wrote: post #37
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).

Handy is excellent and cross platform, and really elegant. They've got a direct website here which might be easier to navigate than the Github repo: https://handy.computer/

Handy looks great. More tools in this space is a good thing for people who need them.

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

#48

Post by esperent »

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…

Sounds like something that would instantly get you banned from the app store if it got noticed.

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

#50

Post by realusername »

coldtea wrote: post #26
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

Then don't install apps and use the web, mobile sandboxing is much weaker compared to any modern browser.

Post reply on HN