Nanny Apple grows over-judgmental
The developer of Pull My Finger, an iPhone application, told MacRumors that Apple decided to reject his application from the App Store because it was of "limited utility to the broad iPhone and iPod touch user community".
The puerile application generates different sounds of flatulence, and while the developer knows its not world-shattering, he (rightly) argues that it's only a bit of fun - and there's many other limited use apps in the App Store. We ask, has Apple become far too judgmental? Comments...
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Comments (18)
We need Apple to perform this sort of quality control otherwise the App Store will loose its credibility and become a free-for-all where the rubbish far out-numbers the quality.
I'd pay 99cents for that! Farts are always funny! Mr Jobs needs to eat some more beans and dried fruit.
But on the other hand, that Cowbell app has obviously saved the world with its utility and possibly un-licensed snippet of Walken's voice from SNL. So at least they have their shit straight.
I think this is the right move. I'm really disappointed with most of the apps in the app store. Looking at it makes me wonder why there were such an outcry, when apple announced the iphone with no sdk available.
Yawn....
Another stoopid app?? no, thank you.
For sure Apple probably have the right to censor their own sites for promotion of 3rd party products, but then again they seem in the habit of imposing value judgements and could do with a SHAKEOFF OF THE DUST. Self righteousness alienates.
All they have to do is categorise products, and everyone can look at what they feel appropriate. I have the perfect use for such an application. I do not always have a pête-au-main, and would find such a backup plan invaluable during mid afternoon departmental meetings.
it's not censorship: apple, not the government or established authority, is doing this on their own site. morons in our society retain the freedom to create and buy machines that indulge their childish senses of humor.
Like I said, Value Judgements.
Censorship can be applied by anyone to any domain under their control, and there is nothing intrinsically wrong with it - your statement seems to be a Value Judgement to the contrary. Morons? Yet another Value Judgement, and might I venture, it sounds like quite a pejudiced, Pitchfork and Torches, Night of the Long Knives style statement.
Fortunately for your entitlement to freedom of speech, 9to5 haven't censored out such an offensive statement. I fear Apple would have. Would that have upset you?
I agre with your article: Apple has become fart too judgmental
Thierry
What a stupid application .. well done Apple ..
I wouldn't buy it, but I don't care if others want it. Bad call, Apple. Give your customers some freedom...
So Apple decides which applications have "value" and which don't?
So, are they planning to extend this policy to other parts of the store? Are they going to refuse music, video, podcasts that they don't agree with?
Cut the crap! We, as consumers, can figure out what our money is worth spending on.
How many flashlight applications are there? Those seem of limited value to me. Other people like them. It's in the eye of the beholder (consumer). Let them decide, not some random person at Apple who thinks they know better.
There are probably dozens of apps that could be classified as "limited value" but that's really not up to Apple to decide, it's up to the consumer.
I bet if he named it iFart it would have been approved.
As another poster said-with umpteen flashlight applications, this one is actually a unique idea. Its not exactly creating a cure for cancer, but who cares. If you don't like it, don't download it-let the market decide.
See - I like More Cowbell, like the animal noises, have a stroboscopic flashlight, like an iPint from time to time, I even have that cow noise thing, - oh, and Tiny Violin, All of these are ephemeral, all just a little laugh now and then - nothing wrong with that... I showed the video of the poor developer's app to my girl, she laughed and thought it was a nice bit of fun.
Why not put these things in a new category?
I don't think Apple should go all precious on us like that, it's just over-judgemental in case they get sued by someone who thinks kids shouldn't be able to hear the sound of farting, or something.
Not saying that's all I wanna hear either, but for a little laugh now and then? Nothing wrong with that, I say!
they seem a bit too strict. kinda dare i say nazi?
i love my mac but isnt the whole point of apple supposed to be about freedom and creativity?
Poor censorship call.
Make it available and people will vote with their fingers.
I feel that the opposition will take this on and I expect to see googlefart released soon.
This app is a total waste. Kudos to Apple for rejecting it. When I go through and browse apps, I don't need things like this that have no practical use at all. Speaking of that, why would they reject this, but not reject Knock on Wood?