Apple rescinds version change App Store ban
Jobsian caprice smiles on CastCatcher
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Apple's iPhone caprice continues.
Little more than a week after it banned version 1.3 of return7's CastCatcher internet radio service from the iPhone App Store, Apple has now decided the app doesn't warrant banning after all.
return7 announced the reprieve on the company blog late last night.
Versions 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2 of the audio streaming service all made it into the App Store without a hitch. But when return7 submitted version 1.3, it was hit with the Jesus Slap. "CastCatcher Internet Radio cannot be posted to the App Store because it is transferring excessive volumes of data over the cellular network, which as outlined in the iPhone SDK Agreement section 3.3.15, is prohibited," Apple told the company.
Presumably, Apple meant that earlier versions of the app were transferring excessive volumes of data over the cellular network. But version 1.2 remained in the App Store - as did countless other streaming apps, including Pandora, AOL Radio, Tuner, FStream, and WunderRadio.
return7 was not pleased. The company immediately resubmitted the app and, in an email, asked Apple to change its mind.
Inexplicably, Apple has changed its mind. return7 CEO Amro Mousa tells The Reg the app was resubmitted with "minor cosmetic changes." But the core code was unchanged. "I think it might just have been a mixup on their end and I'm glad they came through for us," Mousa says. "It sets a positive precedent."
That's one way of looking at it. Famously, Apple reserves the right to ban apps from the store whenever it likes, and developers are required to submit all version changes for approval. ®
COMMENTS
@ Andy Worth
"I can see arguments for and against "censoring" apps. Yes, it does restrict, or allow Apple to restrict what can be put onto the phone for their own gains if they wish, but then it's their phone so it's up to them."
NO, its MY phone so i should be able to choose what goes on it. If I want to pay $999 for a collection of pixels that look a bit like a ruby then it is my RIGHT to be parted from my hard earned cash!
OK so Apple reviewing apps to make sure there are no hidden nasty's, great. For them to censor stuff because "they" dont like it is a little too much isn't it?
Mines the one with the unlocked, jailbroken one in the pocket
@Graham Lockley
"Having had three WinMo and two Nokia smartphones, having installed dozens of apps on all them, I dont recall EVER having malware/virii on any of them ?"
<sigh> No such word as 'virii'. The plural of virus is 'viruses' - as has been pointed out many times before here on El Reg and elsewhere.
Mr Pedant
Moderators
With the number of apps submitted, there can't be one single person checking them all against one strict ruleset. There must be many moderators, all with slightly different interpretations of the rules.
I'd go as far as to suggest that if something has been turned down for borderline reasons, just submit it again and it'll probably be checked by someone different.
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