Apple reconsiders rejected iPhone apps, C64 emulator on the way?
By Donald Melanson 
posted August 21st 2009 4:23PM
posted August 21st 2009 4:23PM
We're always a little hesitant to get too optimistic about changes to the App Store approval process, but it looks like there's been a few hopeful changes to the way things are done in the past few days, which could well lead to some previously rejected apps becoming available. Perhaps the most encouraging sign is that Apple seems to actually be going back through rejected apps and contacting develops to resubmit their app (without any changes, mind you) for an "expedited review." One such app is the Start Mobile Wallpaper Gallery, which was rejected for using Shepard Fairey's famous "HOPE" image of Barack Obama on the grounds that it "ridicules public figures." In other App Store news, the developer of the officially-licensed C64 emulator also says that it was contacted by a senior director at Apple, who reportedly said that there was "BIG news coming," but didn't elaborate any further. But, really, is there any news bigger than a C64 emulator?
Read - TechCrunch, "Apple Continues To Right App Store Wrongs. Obama "Hope" App Is Go."
Read - MacNN, "Apple reconsidering C64 Emulator for iPhone?"
It's called abandonware: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abandonware
Most of those companies are looong gone, but do you really think Sierra is going to sue Apple because there is a Sammy Lightfoot rom on someones Iphone?
Plus there are massive amounts of homebrew apps and demos for the C=64, and let us not forget the main thing when you turned it on... Programming.
10 PRINT "KTNXBYE"
"Therefore, if this app is allowed, then Apple is agreeing that violation of copyright laws is ok." -
That claim is complete rubbish. You can run illegal copies of software on any desktop computer today, so you are equally saying, "anyone who sells a computer is agreeing that violation of copyright laws is ok". ...and if you buy a car and then speed, is the individual who sold you the car responsible because they sold you a vehicle capable of speeding? What if I go out and buy a real C64 off Ebay - is the seller condoning violation of copyright laws, since I can grab these same games? We better not sell scanners or photo-copiers any more, since they can reproduce books - another tool for enabling copyright violation. The list goes on.
The C64 app was fully licensed by Commodore Gaming BV. In addition, it is designed to run legally licensed games, which will be available as additional downloads from the App Store. Manomio is negotiating with license holders (http://twitter.com/kkieller/status/3470622706) and will continue to do so.
Still waiting for iKeepass, thanks.
POKE 53280,0
POKE 53281,1
10 PRINT "YAY!"
20 GOTO 10
Oh, i miss peek and poke.
U_U
If the C64 emulator ends up being approved, that's huge: a true emulator would be able to run C64 applications, which means that under current rules it would fall afoul of the prohibition against runtimes.
Therefore if one is approved it would seem to require the removal of that prohibition....which means Flash, Java and Silverlight all become possibilities.
Any news bigger than a C64 emulator?
N64 emulator.
That's not even in the realm of realism. At least, not a good one.
Some transparency on the app approval process would be nice.
Too much, too little and way too late. The FCC is knocking on the door and you now are trying to show how good you are.
Apple and AT&T -- "POUND SAND"!
If an emulator gets in, then getting Flash and Silverlight might be easier. Apple should stop the controlling what technologies get on the iphone and just provide a standard process that ensures stability, performance etc... leave the rest to the market
"...is there any news bigger than a C64 emulator?"
Duh, a C128 emulator.
"It's called abandonware:"
As has been proven legally many times, there is no such things as "abandonware". That's a "street" term. Also, as proven by Nintendo, just because there's currently no hardware to use old software, doesn't mean there isn't going to be.
Since you seem to think Wikipedia is law, if you actually read what they have you would have found...
"In most cases, software classed as abandonware is not in the public domain, as it has never had its original copyright revoked."
"Copyright law does not recognize the term or concept of "abandonware". "
"Hosting and distributing copyrighted software without permission is illegal."
I thought everyone learned a long time ago that Wikipedia isn't a legal resource. Go read the laws on copyrights.
Not to start a flame war of old circuits, but bigger news than a C64 emulator would be an officially sanctioned Apple // emulator app for the iPhone.
The copyright held on the Apple][ ROM is Cupertino's best method for keeping that zombie in the grave. If Apple were to release a sanctioned emulator of their old silicon, it'd be groundbreaking both for the die hard "Apple 2 Forever!" crowd as well as signaling a shift in their legal strategies regarding copyrights.
The 'Cry' Phone by "cr"apple.
With an updated iPod Touch coming next week, I'll probably finally buy one and look forward to the many apps available. I even have some ideas of my own but I refuse to buy a mac of any sort. Well, if they release a tablet I'll be buying one, but that's about it.