Apple needs to be taught that their Big Brother approach to business (“Here’s your computer, and here’s how your going to use it”) is ridiculous. I applaud Hewitt for taking a stand. More developers need to do this. I’d love to see a scenario where developers create software, and Apple must submit an application for review to get their permission to place it in the App Store. Can’t see how it would work, but I’d love to see it.

@TRRosen: the quality control argument would be true if the app store wasn’t the one and only way to get apps on the iphone/itouch.
It’s not about quality, it’s about money

It’s absolutely about “quality control” and it’s what makes Apple and the iPhone great. The jailbreakers can have all the approval-free apps they want. I’m sticking with the app store. It’s an amazing opportunity to reach a lot of people in an efficient, reliable manor. I would consider myself lucky to be a part of it, even if I had to wait a little longer than I expected for approval.

As a iPhone end user I like the fact that someone is checking over software before I run it on my phone. I wouldn’t want a app approved immediatey by the developer only to find out it’s poorly written and crashes often. It’s all about Quality Control as stated before.

I’m not a developer so I couldn’t possibly understand going through the review process. Sounds like an abundant amount of patience is required getting your app approved. As an end user, I’m ok with that.

iGenius, you are welcome to jailbreak your phone and do what you want. when it gets hosed however, don’t go crying to Apple.

as for the folks saying this is about money. Apple makes only 30% on the paid apps and nothing on the free ones. and if you consider how many are free, it’s hard to press ‘they want money’ argument.

yes it sucks that you have to have apps reviewed to make sure they don’t crash. and yes it really sucks that Apple won’t let you show tittie apps to 5 year olds, blah blah. but thems is the rules. you don’t like them, then don’t be an iphone developer or user. i’m sure blackberry would love your custom.

and while we are at it, why can’t a 14 year old buy smokes or beer or drive a car without an adult present. and why all the hoopla over buying a freaking gun. if I want a gun, I should be allowed to just go buy a gun. and use it however I want.

The problem is not the reviewing process in general, but Apple’s unreasonable and unexplained rejections and monopolistic behavior. The reviewing process is necessary to ensure that the app is working right and contains no malicious code. Otherwise the App Store will be flooded with bad apps.

While I support the reviewing process, I condemn Apple’s behavior. Rejecting apps just because they do not suit Apple’s plans is unprofessional and monopolistic. We don’t need a big brother telling us what apps we should not buy. If the app is working, contains no malicious code and is reasonable, then release it. We the customers decide which apps are good and which aren’t.

Gatekeepers behavior? How about the consoles?

Why is it that Apple’s App Store is the only viable mobile software distributor?

Just as a point of reference, Joe Hewitt is also the developer behind Firebug, the immensely popular debugging tool used by Web developers around the world to create many of the sites you use every day. I think that should be kept in mind before throwing out the accusation that he’s “opposed to quality control”; Joe’s spent a lot of time working in the field of quality control himself, so he knows a thing or two about it.

The main argument I’ve heard in opposition to the approval process (and my own personal beef with it) is that any level of arbitrary rejection serves as a disincentive for developers to create great apps. Why spend tons of time building an application when you’re not sure if will meet Apple’s occasionally ambiguous requirements? I’d hate to dump money into app development if I didn’t even know if anyone would ever see it.

@Buck: Except this sandboxed approach is incompatible with most open source licences. And open source software matters.

1. Quality Assurance: It’s not that much about QA. Riffle through the App Store and tell me you don’t find apps that should be pulled for being poorly done. Some downright sully the Apple name by even having a presence on the iPhone. Apple had to accept them because a) they don’t duplicate iPhone functionality, and b) they are not potentially offensive. What other criteria are Apple using to reject apps? I’ve never heard their position on poorly programmed software. The argument for QA doesn’t seem to have any foundation as Apple has never dismissed an app because it failed to work correctly. In fact, many apps exist that crash repeatedly (check the ratings), have glaring bugs or other issues.

2. Money: Of course Apple is about money. It’s a company. Wake up and smell Costa Rica. However, plenty of free apps exist in the App Store. Apple needs to turn the venture into a profitable division, but simply having a store raises the profile of the iPhone. It’s not as simple as churning dollars from apps. There are more factors at play and I’m sure analysts have their eyes on everything.

3. Failed Delivery: This seems like the most likely topic up for debate. Like Communism, the App Store, by principle, works, but it’s actual implementation is what’s causing the problems. From reports, it looks like they are several understaffed for one. Second, the guidelines and process lack transparency. This second issue has been addressed, albeit somewhat, in the new developer section. While a lot more work needs to be done, it seems, Apple have begun to evolve.

I’d say pulling out high profile apps will likely boost Apple’s commitment to appeasing developers. It’s probably not the most appealing solution, but I think it will ultimately work a lot better than whining and complaining as you send in your app for the 4th time.

@GQB: I didn’t know that I said that Apple has a monopoly on smartphones or iPhones.

I referred to the policy in regard to rejection of apps that have a lot in common with other apps developed by Apple. The company systematically tries to push its own apps to the front by rejecting other apps that compete with them. Apple has done this several times in the past, for example on browser apps. Developers could come up with much better apps than Apple has made, but the company refuses, and therefore abuses its control over the App Store.

Currently, Apple controls already 17% of the smartphone market. If the market share continues to rise, Apple could eventually become a second Microsoft. I hope Apple loosens the reviewing process.

sniff…snifff…. following the rules is too hard snifff…. screw you guys i’m going home…..snifff….wahhhhhhhh

Oh NO now we’re down to 99,999 apps what will we do!

Should make the process simple

Apple has done a great job in terms of developer public relations. But you can’t please everyone I guess, too bad since this guy is obviously a very gifted developer.

Apple probably wouldnt mind but ATT dont want there customers traffic going through a proxy, so Apple puts it on the shelf to stop it actively being developed for Android et all.

Nice post!!!!!