Joe Hewitt, developer of Facebook App, resigns

Seth Weintraub
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November 11, 2009
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Joe Hewitt, the developer of Facebook.app for the iPhone has resigned according to his Twitter account.  Facebook's iPhone app is one of the most popular and one of only a handful installed on more than 50% of all iPhones and iPod touches.

He didn't give reason for the move but said he handed the job off to another developer.  He will stay on as a Facebook developer working on other projects (*cough* tablet*).

 

 

Comments (14)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 11, 2009 - 6:57pm

His name isn't Joel - it's Joe...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 11, 2009 - 7:48pm

right, Joel is a french name for girls.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 12, 2009 - 2:44am

Joelle is for girls, Joel is still a guy's name.

Gazoobee (not verified) | November 11, 2009 - 7:20pm

Considering it's a pretty crappy app, this is supposed to be bad news why? 

Matt | November 11, 2009 - 8:02pm

No one said it was bad news.

andrew. (not verified) | November 11, 2009 - 8:37pm

maybe this is bad because he was THE ONLY F*#&ING ONE WORKING ON IT!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 11, 2009 - 8:45pm

"I am philosophically opposed to the existence of their review process." While sad to see ... until you go develop your own platform as I see it Apple has every right to do what they want. I for one would much rather get good quality apps that have to pass review than let the platform go wild with no controls .... Yes I agree that Apple might be a little restrictive BUT making a blank statement "I am philosophically opposed to the existence of their review process." to me ignores the fact that it has at least kept the platform in control. There are enough crap apps on the Iphone store without opening the gates to apps that can play havoc with my phone, with my data, with my phone records etc etc

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 12, 2009 - 5:02am

Phones are the last thing you want to leave susceptible to malware etc.  To keep a platform under control like the iPhone has been in for over a year, its necessary to have a review process, not only for quality control but for safety purposes.  As a software developer he should know that more than anybody else.  The differences between Apple and Androids platform is that Android is more risky and requires a little knowledge from the end user to be safe, whereas iPhone end users don't have to concern themselves with anything, which is exactly the type of user experience Apple wants.  Thats why the iPhone will always be more appealing to the joe schmoes and soccer moms out there, while Android will really only excite techies.

taoprophet420 (not verified) | November 11, 2009 - 9:51pm

"My decision to stop iPhone development has had everything to do with Apple's policies. I respect their right to manage their platform however they want, however I am philosophically opposed to the existence of their review process. I am very concerned that they are setting a horrible precedent for other software platforms, and soon gatekeepers will start infesting the lives of every software developer."

Gorilla (not verified) | November 11, 2009 - 11:33pm

@joe hewitt

Oooooohhh we're so scared the world is coming to an end that you pussied out !!! All Hail @joehewitt ! Down with the app store because its too much for @joehewitt !

 

Talk to to corporate (like a boss) 

Approve memos (like a boss) 

Lead a workshop (like a boss) 

Remember birthdays (like a boss) 

Direct workflow (like a boss) 

My own bathroom (like a boss) 

Micromanage (like a boss) 

Promote Synergy (like a boss) 

Hit on Debra (like a boss) 

Get rejected (like a boss) 

Swallow sadness (like a boss) 

Send some faxes (like a boss) 

Call a sex line (like a boss) 

Cry deeply (like a boss) 

Demand a refund (like a boss) 

Eat a bagel (like a boss) 

...

Matteo (not verified) | November 12, 2009 - 12:07am

It's a shame that he has left the iphone app but in its entirety i can't see it being ruined by someone else so if a tablet app is being made it will look sweet !

mad102190 (not verified) | November 12, 2009 - 2:00am

Maybe there will finally be push in it now... Laggy ass Joe Hewitt, you better give up the iphone app.

backBacon (not verified) | November 12, 2009 - 7:59am

Joe who gives a sh*t . Sorry to see ya go Joe. The app just won't be the same without ya... and we'll be all the better for it.

comira (not verified) | December 06, 2009 - 1:01pm

Very good article. I was recently blogging on The Netflix Prize, which deals with the quality of the recommendation. However, conclusions are drawn primarily off of user ratings. People don't seem to bother rating on facebook, I know I don't. I wonder what correlations exist there...