[Macworld]

Post your comments for Don't drive iPhone developers away, Apple here

[Hurley42]

I for one have put iPhone development on the back burner. I don't have time to waste developing an app and end up having something rejected and then unable to tell others about it. Not that my lack of participation in app development will make any difference, but if enough people put their resources elsewhere, it will be noticed.

[tewha]

I can see why Apple would want to prevent porn applications. The last thing Apple wants is for the iPhone to develop a reputation as a great pornography system. (And it would be.)
But whatever the exact rules are, Apple needs to specify them upfront before developers invest their effort in building applications. And they can't include something as poorly defined as "duplicate functionality" or "poor taste."

[montgomery_burns]

While Apple is trying to gets its act together, here are a couple of things they can do with the iTunes Store and App Store to make them more usable:

1) Include date and time stamps for all user submitted reviews. Not just for applications, but also for music, movies, tv shows, and everything else. People can be reading a review of an application and not know which version the reviewer was referring to. If an application was updated since the review was written, then the review may be out of date.

2) Remember user's sort settings. No matter how many times I choose sort by most recent, the iTunes Store and App Store always default back to sorting by "Most helpful". This is just as annoying as the Finder not remembering view settings.

[Rhywun]

Thanks for the level-headed calm while presenting your argument. It's refreshing, after seeing so many comments elsewhere along the lines of "Apple suxx00rs!11!!1" and "I will never install anything from that evil company on MY machine again".

[ChopinBlues]

Yep -- those developers are just leaving in droves -- that explains why there are only 50 to 100 new apps showing up on the store every day.

[montgomery_burns]

ChopinBlues said:

Yep -- those developers are just leaving in droves -- that explains why there are only 50 to 100 new apps showing up on the store every day.

Until they get arbitrarily pulled, that is.

[tewha]

ChopinBlues said:

Yep -- those developers are just leaving in droves -- that explains why there are only 50 to 100 new apps showing up on the store every day.

How many are not appearing? How many are developing "safe" applications instead of something that would actually push the phone in a useful and new direction? Do you know?

[fds]

If Apple's stupid policies make Android-based phones better and more relevant in the long run, that's Apple's problem, not ours.
You could just switch to another phone then.
So I don't see why users would have to be concerned over this. If the well indeed dries up, you just switch to the better alternative.
For people who are developing for the iPhone, it's of course very different, having to worry about their investment of time and money.

[montgomery_burns]

Rhywun said:

Thanks for the level-headed calm while presenting your argument. It's refreshing, after seeing so many comments elsewhere along the lines of "Apple suxx00rs!11!!1" and "I will never install anything from that evil company on MY machine again".

Too bad the same can't be said for some of those users who insist that it's all the developer's fault and Apple can do no wrong.

[louielu12]

fds: It is important for consumers too. When I bought my iPhone, I made an investment (and no, not just the 3 hours I waited in line o unsuccessfully get it). I knew that there would be an App Store, and that it would make my device more usable than other phones. I can't just "switch" to Android. I spent $300 already, not including accessories and Apps.
I completely agree with Jason. If people want to create terrible Apps for the App store, I'm ok with it. Poor reviews force developers to make good apps in the future. If I know a developer made a bad app, I won't buy any other apps from them.
Also, the users that will get "confused" are likely to not know how to use the App Store in the first place, or have no need for the app that would confuse them.

[ndelc]

"This behavior is definitely beneath the company that makes the software and hardware I adore"
This couldn't be said any better. Come on Apple, fix this situation, Pronto! Draw the line at malicious apps and then get out of the way and let the market decide.

[Grapho]

fds said:

If Apple's stupid policies make Android-based phones better and more relevant in the long run, that's Apple's problem, not ours.
You could just switch to another phone then.
So I don't see why users would have to be concerned over this. If the well indeed dries up, you just switch to the better alternative.

For people who are developing for the iPhone, it's of course very different, having to worry about their investment of time and money.

I don't agree. With your frame of mind, I should not be concerned about choices? If Apple is dropping the ball, this will ultimately limit my choice of what is available on the iPhone. Sure, I could just get another phone, but I like this one. I like multi-touche and all of the 200 patents filed on it. I, as a user, want to see it reach it's fullest potential, because it will bring further value to a device that I already own and like.

We do need to be concerned, because we don't want the well to dry up precisely.

[dshan]

Apple's job is to ensure the iPhone is popular, not dictate what it's used for. In fact attempting to do the latter will ensure the failure of the former. Once Apple starts censoring apps for any reason aside from illegality/network provider contracts it's overstepped it's role and will suffer in the marketplace for it. The ability to access porn hasn't stopped the net or the Mac (in fact it's helped them) and the same applies to the iPhone.

The iPhone has a web browser, therefore it can access porn. It's a phone, therefore it can call sex chat lines. It now has several eBook readers, therefore it can access written porn. It's game over on the porn thing I'm afraid.