Apple Blocks Podcaster Ad-hoc Distribution
Posted on 24 September 2008, at 8:55 am, by Christopher Spera
I caught this during the morning site run over at iPhone Alley. In what feels (to me) as the ultimate B-slap, Apple has blocked the ad-hoc distribution of Alex Sokirynsky’s rejected application, Podcaster.
As if their app distribution practices weren’t unpopular enough, Podcaster developer Alex Sokirynsky wrote in a blog post that has already been removed (probably because it violated his NDA) that Apple has cut him off from distributing any more legitimate copies of Podcaster though their ad hoc distribution method.
Image & links from iPhone Alley.
I’m not sure what size gun (12-gage shot gun or bazooka) Apple is using to remove their appendages, but this one just seems a bit heavy handed to me, though, honestly, not unexpected. I’ve been talking to other Gear Diary Team members about this issue, and one thing is clear – something needs to change at Apple.
The biggest reason why Alex went ninja with Podcaster was the lost cost of development time. He worked hard, followed the rules, and Apple said, “nope.” The problem here, in this new paradigm of an “app store,” is that beyond getting the SDK and some basic guidelines, Apple doesn’t review the app until after all design and development work (the developer’s investment) have completed. I honestly think that if Apple’s review came at the beginning of the SDLC (software development life cycle), issues and problems like this with Podcaster wouldn’t exist. If Apple reviewed and approved an app before the bulk of the design and development work began, developers probably wouldn’t complain if an app was rejected Beyond the basic “sketch” of what an app does, rejection at that early point in the life cycle doesn’t cost that much.
The review process doesn’t need to change much, just come earlier, before the developer gets into the bulk of development (and incurs most of their costs).
Don’tcha think that would be a better idea than the system we have now? Why not join us in the discussion area below and let us know what you think…
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3 Comments For This Post
September 24th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Apple did something else disturbing today. There’s a report on macnn.com that Apple has now modified the developer NDA to include not talking about a rejected app.
One thing about the Apple process is that people have been free to publicly complain about Apple practices. Now it seems Apple wants to stop that too. Definitely not a good thing for developers or consumers and I don’t see how it’s really enforceable except by prohibiting a developer from EVER developing for the platform and distributing via the AppStore, but then, if a developer got rejected in this way he/she probably doesn’t care about that!
September 24th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I should add (without knowing where Alex posted his comments that were later removed) that Apple has always had a policy of removing comments at will from their forums. Apple own that service and their forums are NOT a public forum in that they clearly reserve the right to do what they will when you sign up to use their forums. I can understand that. But this new policy prohibits developers from speaking on ANY forum about their rejection (or, more specifically, anything in their acceptance/rejection letter). That I have a problem with.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:12 am
This seems incredibly heavy handed. No way Apple is really worried about “confusing” the customer with duplicate alternatives. One look at all the duplication currently in the app store discredits that claim. They’re worried about competition and the possibility that their iPodiTunesiTunesStore stranglehold might get compromised. They don’t want the precedent set for getting your content any other way. Preventing ad hoc distribution practically proves this.