The iPhone App Store's
arbitrary and
inconsistent approval process continues to
baffle and annoy on every level, as
Macworld Editor-in-Chief Jason Snell just had his iPhone book rejected... for using the word "iPhone" in the title. Apparently Apple doesn't like app names or icons to include the word iPhone or images of the iPhone -- which arguably makes sense on some level -- but you'd think a freaking
iPhone reference manual would warrant an exception, wouldn't you? Making matters worse, it appears that one Mr. David Pogue didn't have this problem, as his iPhone: The Missing Manual was approved with title and icon intact. Sigh. Phil Schiller --
deploy!
Update: And just like that, Apple has reversed its stance and
approved the app unchanged. Internet high-fives all around. [Warning: iTunes link]
posted Nov 3rd 2009 2:56PM
ughhh i wish i didn't want an iphone
im glad i dont :)
Why would you want one? There are so many other choices of good phones with plenty of apps. Don't succumb to peer pressure.
I want one of those japanese phones that have portable toilet app.
Don't worry there's always Android
apple hates it self...
Apple will reject itself one day.
@kjb434
"Why would you want one? There are so many other choices of good phones with plenty of apps"
Yes, and they are all trying to be an iPhone...
I would love to see a survey of how many of these other phone's users actually preferred an iPhone, but could not get one due to carrier, price or whatever. Now how many iPhone users actually preferred another phone?
It always confuses me when people say other phones are trying to be iPhones. What does that mean exactly?
He should get the iPhone user manual listed on the Palm, Blackberry, WinMo, and Android app stores. Because it would be ironic.
They also rejected my farming app: iEieio
Did they automate the app approval process? if ( title contains "iphone") and (submitter neq "David Pogue") then "reject" else "profit";
Oy. Apple rejects an app about the iPhone? Great. I wish Engadget would do the same when it comes to "iPhone" in the title of articles.
Writing 101:
They're (not Apple) just steeewppid. Designing third party plugins or products means that you cannot ever, NEVER, title your product beginning with the name the actual product UNLESS you are the product owner. Otherwise we'd have user guides with misleading names left and right.
DUH!
It should always be [Your Product] for iPhone, where [You product] is whatever it is, "A Map of", "A Guide", "The Missing Manual", "Learn How to Write Manuals without Infringing Copyright Laws".
@ Stevorevo: isn't the guide called "Macworld iPhone Superguide", at least according to the article?
Why is Skeezie's comment voted down? He's right but no one wants to admit it? Very childish.
The company's that continue to target the iPhone flat out say they're copying/targeting it. No need to vote his comment down because you don't like admitting it.
On topic, this is sad but I haven't seen if Apple provides feedback of how to fix an app in order to accept it. Besides, if you're smart enough to sync with iTunes, buy the app from the store and unlock it to click on it.... why the hell do you need the app? Also, how do you read step by step when you have to have the part you're working with open at the same time. Basically this is a dumb idea.
Play is safe, as taken from the notorious M$ which sues on anything "Windows XXX". They (M$ lawyers) say to play it safe, call your product by what it is "PCWorld Superguide" for Windows. And use the word 'for', less you want lawyers knocking on your door.
Thanks, Steve, cos Microsoft are totally relevant to this thread.
You really are an absolute f**king disk aren't you?
Or dick.
...
No, actually, disk sounds better. It makes me wish you were a Frisbee so we could just throw you away.
The relationship between Apple and it's fans/devs is like the relationship between an abusive husband and his battered wife who still love him for some reason.
lol @ the microsoft fanboys voting down legit comments because it doesn't agree with their mindset.
i live in canada, there truly aren't that many great options
@Skeezie: I'm an Android, and I love it. Next in line would be WebOS, and then Maemo. After that, maybe iPhone. I like multitasking (and all the other great things Google allows and Apple doesn't).
Why are people still developing for the app store? It's been proven that only the biggest of developers are actually making money off the store and with all the grief Apple puts you through to get your app approved, why?
It looks like Apple has a case of Host Vs. App Disease. This occurs when some part of the iPhone's ecosystem is insufficient and needs to add a foreign app to help it. For some reason, one tiny innocuous part of the item, which has nothing to do with its function or the way it will help the user, triggers a reaction which causes the Apple immune system to reject the item.
Medical nerds should get where I'm going with this.
I'm glad I don't want an Iphone, either.
why would u want one
lol
I think that about sums it up, although the author's probably loving it: his sales are going to go through the roof when it finally gets approved (with or without 'iPhone' in the title).
Feel free to reject my post because I used the word 'iPhone' in it.
Engadget has become the official App Store Rejection Watchdog Agency.
Ridiculously uptight. Nuff said.
ROFL!
"Sisyphus @ Nov 3rd 2009 3:55PM
Engadget has become the official App Store Rejection Watchdog Agency."
so true!
But that's only because they couldn't become the official iPhone App Store Rejection Watchdog Agency because it contained the word iPhone.
ill be sure to let Engadget know if any of my apps ever get rejected!
As much as I love my iPod Touch, this kind of stuff that Apple pulls is one of the main reasons I will probably refrain from purchasing any more Apple products.
This, and their extreme picetags!
Does it really matter that much? I really don't understand why these things continue to be posted like they are big stories. Humans make judgment calls, sometimes they are stupid. In most cases Apple fixes the bad calls when they come to light. It's not like there is an all knowing AppLord who looks over thousands of app submissions every day and can be expected to be 100% infallible. Does inconsistent app rejection really amount to that bad of an issue for people's everyday lives?
Apple will reject itself one day.
Even though this was a double post I loved your comment so much I high-ranked both!
I am indifferent towards your comment.
They probably done it, but haven't gone public.
Apple will reject itself one day.
Comment system. Fail.
Bad monkey!
I think your comment is brilliant.
I think this is the only triple post that I've ever seen on Engadget that was upranked instead of downranked... lol
The comment system rejects itself.
The level of smug is amazing.
It was either that or get their hair highlighted...smugness is easier to maintain.
LOVE YOU APPLE !!!!!!!!!!!! sarcasm....
Apple will reject itself one day.
charming!
I think your comment is idiotic.
This comment gets better every time I read it, partly because there are several others exactly like it.
You again? Three times isn't comment system fail, its user fail. :)
Chill out everybody. It's a monkey with glasses. He likes to press "enter" just as much as he likes to fling poo at other monkeys.
I bet this isn't a facetious joke, but a prediction. Monkey with glasses's cousin Monkey with bowler hat works in Apple's app approval department, and just leaked that one day his boss, Monkey with wax lips, will revise the rules to reject anything by companies with "Apple" in their name.
Seriously, all these nobs that call Microsoft M$ have no stones to throw now! It seems Apple are on the slipperly slope to becoming evil.
Apple's been evil for quite awhile. They just make stuff people want so nobody much cares. Apple treats its business partners terribly.
Actually, I think that the M$ label is more often used by Linux users. I'm not a big fan of throwing that around, because I use MS and OSX too, but if you see that, it's likely not coming from an Apple user.
I'm getting to be less of an Apple fan the more ridiculous this gets. Glad I opted not to make my last laptop a MBP.
Becoming?
O$ X? iPhone 3G $?
Microsoft is known for suing everyone that uses the title "Windows this or that". They've always made it a case and very well known that its perfectly legal to say "Something" FOR Windows and NEVER "Window's User Guide", when in fact, you are NOT the author or owner of the product 'Windows'.
You just can't title something as the product of which you are not the actual owner of. Period.
That would mislead people into think that you're the official "Windows User Guide", when in fact, the owner of the product has its own "Windows User Guide".
Writing 101:
You can however, always title something "User Guide for Windows". The key operative word here being 'for'. This doesn't surprise me one bit as its not just M$ (Apple has every right to complain here) and every else should be aware of this.
Well, it's an Apple product. Why would you need a reference manual?
Reference manuals are so....PC-ish.
Tell that to the dozens of people who asked me to setup their email on their iPhones...
Good observation. Apple products need "for Dummies" books.
Apple will reject itself one day.
Only God or whatever supernatural power knows what goes on at apple lol
Apple will reject itself one day.
It's only funny when the monkey does it.
The ironic thing is that I bet you can buy an iPhone manual app with Droid.
Apple will reject itself one day.
Hm... Deja Vu.
haha!
lol
Approval process win.
Sorry, even a smug douche like Phil Schiller can't spin this one in Apple's favor...
But smug douche like David Pogue will.
Can we just put Apple out to pasture now? They're getting ridiculous.
Android would welcome his book, even if it's about the iPhone :)
Not much is going to come from this. Apple will approve his app after its rejection was made public and Snell will continue to suckle on the Apple teat. It's not as if he's going to denounce Apple for "playing favorites" what choice would he have? Write a manual for an Android phone?
When you unquestioningly give all your business to a single company, why would you be surprised if that company decides to use your devotion against you? Perhaps it is time for the folks at Macworld to start considering non-Apple products and services.
Oh Apple, how big of a dick can you be on app approvals?
we're starting to find out how big...
@ paulus
uhhh...
that's what she said!!!
Well, maybe this is a sign for MacWorld guys to changer their name to AndroidWorld, much nicer
what about titles such as;
Nasa app for iPhone, Secrets for iPhone, Kindle for iPhone, ScoreMobile iPhone Edition or Tips & Tricks - The Ultimate Guide to iPhone Secrets
App Store rejection? There's an app for that.
lol. awesome
Way to be stupidly restrictive...
Tsk Tsk Tsk!
Cry freedom, stop this mac lunacy, Jobs has become the evil empire for sure, storm the winter palace (cupertino) start the counter revolution, down with Jobs tyranny
how do we do this? Start using Windows?
Linux.
If Apple ever got even as remotely evil & crooked as Microsoft has in it's history, I would. Actually I have Karmic Koala running on the Mac in the next cubicle. Haven't done much with it yet. But yeah, if I couldn't use OS X, I would be on Linux.
Windows 7 FTW! Zune! Ballmer is God!
(just wanted to see what it is like to a get high ranking here)
Alternative titles:
The phone that you are using now - The missing manual, Third Edition
The phone this app was developed for - The missing manual, Third Edition
iDon't want this app rejected - The missing manual, Third Submission
Apple will reject itself on day.
I will just sit back and see how Apple fans come spin this one to save the day.
*looks up for flapping capes*
Personally, I'm waiting for Captain Cydia to swoop down and do something heroic, but at this time I'm still waiting.
not gonna hold my breath
*watches for the white knights on chargers*
'Asinine App Approval Process Device Superguide' title does seem a bit wordy, but at least it doesn't contain the word iPhone. However something leads me to believe this change will not be enough to get the app approved.