And here’s one of the main reasons a lot of people are hoping Android mounts a successful challenge to Apple.
Independent developer Flash of Genius was one of the finalists in the most recent Android Developer Challenge thanks to its Flash of Genius: SAT Vocab Android app, and thought that WIN was worth mentioning in its description of the iPhone version of the tool – only to be told, rather sternly by the Apple APPROVAL OVERLORDS that mentioning Android was a THOUGHT CRIME of the highest magnitude.
Here’s the offending mention:
And here’s the ludicrous response the developer received from Apple for daring to namecheck the competition:
Dear Flash of Genius, LLC,
Thank you for submitting Flash of Genius: SAT Vocab 2.2 to the App Store. During our review of your application, we found that your application contains inappropriate or irrelevant platform information in the Application Description and/or Release Notes sections.
Providing future platform compatibility plans or other general platform references are not relevant in the context of the iPhone App Store. While your application has not been rejected, it would be appropriate to remove “Finalist in Google’s Android Developer’s Challenge!” from the Application Description.
Please log into iTunes Connect to make appropriate changes to the Application Description now to avoid an interruption in the availability of Flash of Genius: SAT Vocab 2.2 on the iPhone App Store.
Regards,
iPhone Developer Program
Flash of Genius is taking a rather generous standpoint on all this, and has agreed to amend the copy to avoid offending power-mad Apple, because… what else can you do when MIGHTY LORD APPLE tells you to do something?
“Meanwhile, I wish there were a wording that would somehow allow us to leverage our Top 10 finish in the Android Developer’s Challenge in the app description, without offending Apple” says the maker on its (very recently set-up…) blog. Hopefully this mini-outrage has done precisely that.
Motorola’s latest flagship dual-core Android monster is a massive, original powerhouse, that’s a big improvement on previous MOTOBLUR mobiles – but still isn’t a total winner.
A slim and glamorous phone from Sony Ericsson, with the sharpest display around. It’s no powerhouse and the screen’s not the biggest out there, but we don’t mind. Because it’s cute.
LG’s first glasses-free 3D phone is a heavy, fat monster, with a clever 3D effect that works rather well. As a smartphone, though, it’s heavy and underwhelming.
A very shiny thing from Sony Ericsson, with a 3.7″ screen and Android 2.3.3 inside. But is it exciting enough to win fans in today’s spec-obsessed market? Can man live on one core alone?
INQ’s Android phone is an interesting “boutique” piece of hardware, packed with unique interface customisations that go far beyond the headline Facebook integration. We like it a lot.
CAT
/ February 4, 2010Of course the “All Time Top 20 Nazi Hymns” were not conaidered inappropriate by iTunes for nearky 1000 years!?;-/ Only reporters uncovering the scandal made them finally remove it. Good Jib, “Fuehrer” Steve ;-)
covert
/ February 4, 2010Google/Android mention is out, shaking a baby to death is in. So I guess it’s infanticide loving Fuehrer Jobs then!
Cory
/ February 5, 2010I guess it’s alright if you’re ripping on Android…?
Check out http://itunes.com/Apps/BrokeAndroid
EURODROID 00001
/ February 6, 2010Amazing Apple hypocrisy there, Cory. Good find.