iLounge

1

And it has already been pulled from the store.

Posted by Timocus on November 2, 2011 at 10:45 AM (PST)

2

I thought all apps had to be tested and approved by Apple. How can this happen?

Posted by dave on November 2, 2011 at 1:49 PM (PST)

3

@2: You must be new. Apple makes sure that you haven’t blatantly copied any of *their* IP (anyone else’s IP is fair game). Apple makes sure that any IAP is set up to give Apple their cut and you haven’t hidden any back doors to sell content that won’t give Apple their cut. Apple runs automated code checks to look for obvious security breaches and holes. And that’s about it.

Whether it actually runs or does anything remotely similar to its description is optional.

Posted by Code Monkey in Midstate New York on November 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM (PST)

4

@ Code Monkey - do you actually LIKE Apple’s products/services?? More or less every time I read one of your comments it is derogatory towards Apple or its business dealings (examples are too numerous to list here). I’m not trying to sound rude or inflammatory, but you are extremely negative about them…

Posted by The Digital Alchemist on November 3, 2011 at 4:20 PM (PST)

5

No, I’m extremely objective, something too often missing in our modern culture of buzz and hype. There is simply no reason to be positive about things that are negative. In my book, that’s being stupid.

Apple’s approval process does not ensure that apps work, that apps don’t crash, that apps don’t destroy data, that devs didn’t screw up and submit the wrong build, that compatibility reqs are correct, etc., etc..

They simply don’t do any of those things. The approval process is ONLY to ensure your app isn’t to deliberately violate their developer terms or to cheat Apple of their share of any revenue.

I spend a good deal of time on other forums where actual iOS developers are active. NOBODY likes the approval process because it’s random, little to no feedback is given, and prevents devs from fixing problems in a timely manner.

As an example, right now the number one paid app is Zombieville 2. The dev is pulling his hair out because a glitch snuck through with the brand new iCloud game saves that is randomly deleting people’s save games on iOS 5 devices. It’s rare enough that it didn’t crop up in testing, but once a few million people got hold of the game, statistical probability reared its head and what bad reviews the game is getting are primarily because of this save game deletion glitch. He fixed the problem and submitted the fix over a week ago at this point. They still haven’t approved it. Fortunately, his rep is good enough he’ll survive the PR hit but smaller devs without his track record just watch their games disappear from people’s consciousness permanently.

Corporations are not people, they don’t have feelings, and they don’t deserve anyone’s sympathy or good will. Apple’s approval process is only good for Apple. It serves neither the customer nor the devs and so deserves a critical outlook.

Posted by Code Monkey in Midstate New York on November 4, 2011 at 5:38 AM (PST)

6

Fair point Code Monkey.
But why should Apple do developers’ work for them?
As in test every App find a flaw, then go back and tell the developer to fix it? Surely the developer should make sure it works first - otherwise it would just encourage them to submit half-formed product in the belief Apple will point out the flaws.
Fair point about the approval process delay, tough.
But couldn’t the developer just pull Zombieville 2 as Google has done with GMail?

Posted by Wilde on November 6, 2011 at 9:53 PM (PST)