Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Apple, BitTorrent, App, Boobies | Themes: Audio/Video Players
Apple is rejecting Apps left and right, first giving Trent Renzor a hard time, and now giving boobies and BitTorrent apps the boot.
As of late, Apple is getting tough on applicants, rejecting submitted Apps left and right. Unfortunately, the company's inconsistent approval process has led many to question the guidelines and those who enforce them. Maza Digital is the latest developer to fall under Apple's heavy hammer with the rejection of its latest iPhone product, Drivetrain. According to the company, the application is a front-end for its Bittorrent client Transmission, enabling end-users to check and manage BitTorrent downloads on Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch without directly manipulating files. This means that the program doesn't actually download anything, but rather offers a remote control feature for Transmission users.
However, due to its indirect tie with copyright infringing files, Apple ultimately rejected the program, denying entry into the Apple Apps Store. Originally, Apple emailed the company stating that it required an unexpected additional time for review. Eventually Maza Digital received the Apple rejection letter, explaining that the BitTorrent category of applications is often used for the purpose of infringing third party rights.
"We have chosen not to publish this type of application to the App Store," Apple said.
Maza Digital called the denial "ridiculous," saying that a BitTorrent client and the BitTorrent protocol are not illegal, and does not infringe on 3rd party rights. In an email to iLounge, Maza Digital said that Apple seems to have decided that any app associated with BitTorrent--even those that doesn't actually upload and download files such as Drive train--will likely be rejected because BitTorrent clients are "often used for the purpose of infringing third party rights." The company also noted that Drivetrain enables users the ability to stop, start, and delete torrent downloads as well as send torrent links to Transmission instead of downloading/uploading files itself.
Is Apple suffering paranoia? Or is its approval process in dire need of an overhaul? Recently Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor lashed out at Apple after the company rejected a recent version of his iPhone application. While the app didn't actually violate Apple regulations, "objectionable" content piped in from The Downward Spiral was the issue, and the catch is that the "questionable" content was already present in the first version. Confused, Trent and the gang were unclear as to what needed to be fixed in order to reappear on Apple's App Store.
"Now, The Downward Spiral the album is not available anywhere in the iPhone app," he responded via the band's message board. "The song The Downward Spiral I believe is in a podcast that can be streamed to the app. Thanks Apple for the clear description of the problem--as in, what do you want us to change to get past your stupid [bleeping] standards?" Needless to say, his colorful response wasn't a happy one. He also compared Apple with Walmart in consistency and "hypocrisy," saying that the latter company "went on a rampage" and demanded that artists provide censored music while the store went on selling Grand Theft Auto games and the movie Scarface without censorship.
Unfortunately, Nine Inch Nails and Maza Digital aren't the only two entities dealing with Apple inconstancies. Recently one application went under Apple's censorship filter because it contained the word "boobs." Then, last month, Apple's shaky approval process allowed one company to publish the Baby Shaker app (video via YouTube), a simple program that displays a picture of a baby making crying sounds. In order to make the child stop, end-users simply shake the iPhone or iPod Touch until red X's cross over their eyes, implying that the baby is dead. The app didn't last long in the App Store before enough outrage caused the company to remove it from the listings. Currently there's a Duke Nukem application that offers the character's comical quotes in audio form such as "I'm gonna get medieval on your asses," "Damn I'm good," "Now I'm really pissed off," and many more.
Go figure.
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I guess they have the right to reject whatever they want. However, their review process does seem quite hypocritical and doesn't seem to have any kind of foundation. Seeing as i don't own an iphone or itouch this doesn't affect me, but it sucks for those people trying to get their work on the market when apple doesn't seem to know what it thinks is acceptable/not acceptable.
They can accept/reject whatever they want. It's their store.
The ridiculous part is that not only are they choosing what to sell in their store, they also seem to think it's illegal to run anything that's not from their store...
Welcome to a closed system where the overlords decide what you should and shouldn't see.
The frustration works like this:
PARTY A:
Hi there apple...we'd like to make an app for your iphone. What are the rules/standards set that we need to work within for approval?
APPLE:
Well...you know...in general just make it good and nice.
PARTY A:
Could you be more specific?
APPLE:
Just make it reasonable and it will be approved.
PARTY A:
oooohhh kay.
30days later
PARTY A:
Why did you object to our app?
APPLE:
It was unreasonable.
PARTY A:
But...it was practically identical to PARTY C's app and our own previous one and less harsh than PARTY B's?
APPLE:
Just try to revise it to be more reasonable.
PARTY A:
WHAAAAAAAA!!!!
I wish more handset makers would get their Android phones to market. That would put more pressure on Apple and their silly policies.
Welcome to a closed system where the overlords decide what you should and shouldn't see.
this is why i hate apple. they make a really good piece of hardware for apps and games, and then cripple it by making you have to buy a mac, pay $100 a year just so you can submit an app that will get rejected, and even if it is excepted, the only place ppl can get it from is their overcrowded store.
Trent REZNOR not Trent RENZOR!!!
)
there just standing up for there beliefs and standards I say good on them That pirate ste should have been closed simpleinstead they get a slap on the wrist
They can accept/reject whatever they want. It's their store.The ridiculous part is that not only are they choosing what to sell in their store, they also seem to think it's illegal to run anything that's not from their store...
pretty idiotic couse once you own the hardware you should offer them a cup of gtfo
Ouch, Trent Reznor is an Apple fan and Mac user too. I'd be mad too though. The bittorrent app is a bad rejection too. Unfortunately the problem is solely with Apple, but corporations in general. Obviously their process needs to be overhauled because right now it feels like whoever is in charge is clueless.
Glad I don't own an Iphone!!!!sucks to be them.....
Uah...sooo boring. Who the hell cares??? Wanna have an iPhone? Submit to their rules. Don't wanna have one? Then get on with your lives.
I don't really understand why so many people that hates Apple and want nothing to do with their products wastes so much time reading about it and commenting...
What's sad is that even though policies like this certainly open the doors for competitors, those competitors can't seem to get their act together and thus Apple remains.
Come on guys, give Apple a break. These guys will never learn that the more open you are, the more favorable you become to the public.
In fact, I see two direct connections between the Communist Party of China and Apple.
1. They must control abso-freakingly-everything. That speaks for itself.
2. They care about their supposed "image" when there are none, and it's better to show your true side than try to hide it under accusations and censorship.
3. They are both run by dictators.
And I failed at counting lulz
It should say "three connections"
pretty idiotic couse once you own the hardware you should offer them a cup of gtfo
Replace hardware with software and this is how I feel with TF2 and Valve two years later after they've royally overcomplicated their masterpiece.
Oh the iDiots and their iPhones...
Kinda funny how apple are using their monopoly to dictate what is morally sound and what isn't. Despite individual countries, counties, and even local communities might disagree. Yet nobody seems to be bothered except those being shot by apple.
Wierd really. Microsoft, Intel and all the other big companies are held responsible for their actions. Apple isn't, and they're even playing police themselves now.
Thank god I'm not part of that rotten apple sect!
I still say Trent REZNOR not Trent RENZOR!!!
Apple should stop making computers, iPods, iPhones etc., get rid of all it's photcopyers and printers because based on their policy, everything they produce can, will be and is used for illegal purposes by one person or another every single day of the year whether they be employees or consumers. Apple dont make our laws and nor should they be enforcing them in this way. They simply have to abide by the law like the rest of us. I dont recall any of us making them the law enforcement.
BS company that wants to control what you have on your device.
If you're dumb enough to fall for the Mac marketing I guess you might as well live with the consequences.
Apple sux.
Touchdowntexas13 pwns.
Omfgwtfbbq!
Uah...sooo boring. Who the hell cares??? Wanna have an iPhone? Submit to their rules. Don't wanna have one? Then get on with your lives. I don't really understand why so many people that hates Apple and want nothing to do with their products wastes so much time reading about it and commenting...
But I hate you too and felt a strong desire to inform the world.
Won't these kinds of actions just make people want to hack their iPhones even more? I don't have one so I don't know, but surely there's a way to get programs to work that Big Brother, I mean Apple, doesn't offer in their store. Heck how long did it take for someone to "unlock" it after it was released? I figure if I buy a piece of hardware it belongs to me, and I'm going to use it however I want.
I agree its 'rediculous' as well. However, I bet this is what ultimately decided the denial
http://www.mazadigital.com/product [...] rowser.png
Apple seems to want to kill anything that would marginally compete with iTunes. After all why should their customers install some bit torrent app. when that has the potential to make them spend less time on iTunes and spill less money on Apple's account ... gawd~!@!@!#%!!
How about an app to block the
"Sent from my iPhone" at the end of the email?
I don't care if you have a Blackberry or an iPhone. These companies treat these things more like a status symbol than a piece of hardware.
Sent from my Anus
Sent from my Anus
Pure genius!
How about an app to block the "Sent from my iPhone" at the end of the email?I don't care if you have a Blackberry or an iPhone. These companies treat these things more like a status symbol than a piece of hardware.Sent from my Anus
It's just a setting... it customizable.
An app blocked because it contained the word 'boobs'?
Whiskey
Tango
Foxtrot
Apple rejecting an app because it has the word 'boobs' in it?
Whiskey
Tango
Foxtrot