Apple takes aim at cookie cutter apps
A new report states that the Cupertino, California-based Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad overlord has opened a new front in its war to clean up the iPhone App Store. It’s rumored that Apple is now rejecting low-quality, cookie cutter iPhone apps and pressuring developers to raise their game.
TechCrunch reports that Apple has again raised the bar on what it will allow to be sold on the iPhone App Store. Thereupon, whereas reputable app mills, such as Appmakr, have been getting direction from Apple on how to raise their game across the board to meet the new, yet unannounced standards, others are seeing their apps rejected by the company’s App Store minders.
Further, it’s implied that Apple’s new offensive has already claimed at least one victim — AppLoop, the first startup to hit the market with an iPhone-specific app builder, has already folded. This is in addition to app spammer Khalid Shaikh who was ousted from the App Store in August of last year for pushing more than 900 mostly useless apps on users on the back of code stolen from other developers (He was later indicted by the FBI on unrelated charges).
Of ends and means…
TechCrunch adds that this new unannounced (and unconfirmed) policy will likely result in higher quality apps and a better overall experience for users as the number of spammy and/or useless apps is reduced. That said, the mothership is not culling the App Store of existing useless/cookie cutter applications.
Of course, given the large amount of criticism Apple has taken over the huge number of pointless (i.e. fart and flashlight) apps, users will likely welcome any such initiative by the company. Nevertheless, expect a huge outcry by the usual hand ringers over this issue — it’s just the latest about face by Apple to leave a large number of developers high and dry with little or no warning.
Is Apple right to go after cookie cutter app developers?
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March 8th, 2010
This is a good move. There are a bunch of app developers that churn out essentially the same app over and over with slightly different content, be it maps or babes.
Actually, a flashlight app isn’t a bad idea. I’ve come home a few times and the hallway lights are out. I was able to use my iPod touch to find my keys, then the right key and the lock.
March 8th, 2010
You bet they’re right. Apple is finally cleaning up THEIR (not your) App. store. If they choose not to sell an App… well, they have every right to do so. Don’t like it? Go play in another sandbox.
March 8th, 2010
Great to see Apple doing something here. The article below describes the problem pretty well (with stats and all…)
http://www.appmanifesto.com/insights/2010/01/app-store-tsunami-of-crap-apps-will-get-worse-opportunity-presents-itself-to-android/
March 9th, 2010
Really,Great job Apple for clean up the iPhone App Store.yes there is no idea of using same iPhone Apps with bit deffrent stuff or story line over again and again.one more thing i really congrets the Apple for the removal of Sxey Apps from All App store few day before……………….
March 9th, 2010
Of course it will be nice to have apps of higher quality, bcoz I get tired of searching through the app store and seeing useless apps.