Okay, so I’m glad Apple blocked the fart app, I’m okay with them blocking the netshare app (especially since it hardly works) but for them to block the podcaster app is crazy. This is one of those apps I’ve been waiting for, I’ve been streaming podcasts from my home server for a while now but a native app that help out a lot.
I just hope they’ll find out they shouldn’t have blocked it in the first place and release it soon.
(via The Broken Record Keeps Playing: Why Apple’s App Store Approval Process is Broken)
I feel like we’re a bit of a broken record on this topic, but I just don’t think people are grasping how big of a deal this really is. So let me say it right up front so you know what I think: Apple’s App Store approval process is broken and seriously must be fixed if they want to continue fostering a thriving marketplace.
Last week, my article on farting iPhone apps presented the question, “Where should Apple draw the line or should they draw a line at all?”. Comments ranged from “Apple needs to lighten up” to “You seriously think Apple should have let a farting iPhone in the store?” (as well as a “how is this more important that war, life, and death?”, but I digress).
Then this week a “legitimate” application, Podcaster, was rejected. This time it was on the basis that “it duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes.” Basically, it competes with Apple so back off.
The issue here is not one of application quality and it is not one of usefulness or utility. It is an issue of a fair and thriving marketplace where iPhone/iPod touch users get the best quality applications and the developers get an honest opportunity to make some dang money.
“But what does that mean Josh?,” you ask. Well, gather ’round.
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