Facebook iPhone Developer Dumps Apple Citing App Store Policies
9:37 am, November 12th, 2009, Ed Sutherland
Joe Hewitt has turned development over to someone else.
Joe Hewitt, the developer behind the iPhone Facebook app, the most popular application on the App Store shelves, announced he’s had it with Apple’s review policy. Hewitt, also known for his work on the popular Firefox browser, told his Twitter audience he blamed the review policy required to approve apps.
“My decision to stop iPhone development has had everything to do with Apple’s policies,” Hewitt told TechCrunch. “I am philosophically opposed to the existence of the review process,” he said.
The developer, who designed the iPhone Facebook app back in 2008, said Apple was setting “a horrible precedent” for other software platforms. “Soon gatekeepers will start infesting the lives of every software developer,” he charged.
This isn’t the first time Hewitt has voiced his opposition to the App Store policies. In an August blog post titled “Innocent until proven guilty,” the developer said “the review process needs to be eliminated completely.”
In a step to possibly answer its critics, the Cupertino, Calif. company has added a bit more transparency to the review process, allowing developers to check online the progress of their apps.
By visiting Apple’s Dev Center Web site, developers receive more expansive explanations of the review status of applications submitted to the App Store. An app could be “Waiting for Review” or “In Review” or “Ready for Sale” using the new review progress viewer. Previously, more cryptic progress reports would simply note “Based on current app submissions, 96 percent of applications are being approved within 14 days.”
[Via iClarified, Gadget Lab, TechCrunch]
Posted by Ed Sutherland in News | Comment on this article
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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.
Bill Millwood, on November 12th, 2009 at 9:47 am
so he’s philosophically opposed to quality control. Go away and never come back you whinny loser.
TRRosen, on November 12th, 2009 at 9:57 am
@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
nabil2199, on November 12th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Oh here we go again, another whine-fest.
Frankly I’m 100% behind the review process. I’d much rather Apple be concerned with protecting my 600euro iPhone from the HUGE probability of malware finding it’s way in if the App Store was just a free-for-all, than with catering to the impatience and arrogance of it’s developers.
“Philosophically opposed”, gimme a break, I give it a month before he’s either replaced with someone who will make a Facebook app without the ego or he comes scampering back himself.
Laura Moran, on November 12th, 2009 at 10:03 am
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.
SteveM, on November 12th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Apple’s process is hardy big brother-ish. And it it about quality control and delivering a good customer experience.
If there’s something wrong with your app, they tell you how to fix it for approval. Rejection is never full-on “you app sucks, go away and don’t come back”.
Bottom line: If you are a great developer, you’re probably already in. If not, you’re probably spending you time whining publicly about how unfair life is.
d.lete, on November 12th, 2009 at 10:34 am
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.
Eric Longstaff, on November 12th, 2009 at 11:07 am
“I’d much rather Apple be concerned with protecting my 600euro iPhone from the HUGE probability of malware finding it’s way in if the App Store was just a free-for-all, than with catering to the impatience and arrogance of it’s developers.”
How about giving consumers a choice? Either they can get apps from the iSore, with the protections that you prefer, OR they can install apps from any number of sources, with the consumer deciding whether that source has an adequate reputation for good apps.
The problem is not Apple’s app store policies. The problem is Apple’s insistence that I can not install what I want on my device. If I was free to install iSore apps, or other apps, and if developers were free to use the iSore or not for their distribution, everybody would win. As of now, the consumer loses.
iGenius, on November 12th, 2009 at 11:39 am
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.
Lucas, on November 12th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
If aesthetics were a criteria for acceptance, the Facebook app would have been banished. It’s the butt-ugliest piece of software ever made, regardless of its popularity.
SmartyGuy, on November 12th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
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.
Totie, on November 12th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I think the review process is great. The fact is, apple is trying their best to make sure their product works as perfectly as possible. If an app doesn’t work well with the phone, then toss it. But instead of just sending everything through, and half of it not working, or being full of viruses…they check it for us. Not too mention, if the app doesn’t perform up to their standards, they don’t totally throw it out, the ask you to fix the problems and resubmit. Everyone needs to quit complaining. Hewitt’s just being a ninny. Go cry to your momma.
Cody, on November 12th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Gatekeepers behavior? How about the consoles?
Why is it that Apple’s App Store is the only viable mobile software distributor?
Obama Pacman, on November 12th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
@iGenius you have a choice, it’s called “jailbreaking”. You’re perfectly entitled to do that if you want to void your warranty and open up your iPhone to whatever risks you want.
Asking Apple however to condone you bricking your phone or having your personal information stolen because you downloaded an untested app is simply stupid.
I’m glad they have better business ethics than you’d like them to have.
Laura Moran, on November 12th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
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.
Justin Russell, on November 12th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Of course this is about money and control of user experience and all of the above. It’s their sandbox, you can go play somewhere else if you don’t like it. If and when Apple feels sales are negatively impacted by this approach, they can easily do the following:
Allow all Apps to go live immediately and make the approval process transparent to the customer with the following status.
Warning, this App is “Waiting for review, run at your own risk”
Warning, this App is “In review, run at your own risk”
“This App is Apple certified…. Enjoy!”
And if they really wanted to be “open”….allow rejected pay apps.
Warning, this App “was rejected by Apple for the following reason(s)…”
Maybe free Apps that get rejected would be pulled.
I support Mr. Hewitt’s stance, but when Apple is making money hand over fist and the vast majority of people are ecstatic with their iPhone experience, it makes no business sense to change anything.
Buck, on November 12th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
@Buck: Except this sandboxed approach is incompatible with most open source licences. And open source software matters.
nabil2199, on November 12th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Like anyone really cares that he has stopped his app development. How is this going to hurt Apple. I mean people, you know what you are getting into, then you want to bitch and complain. That shit hasn’t gotten anyone anywhere. Apple is still a 180 Billion dollar company and shows no signs of slowing down. FaceBook app is not a l must have or I will die, the iPhone isn’t going anywhere.
If you don’t like the process, yes voice your opinion, start your own damn company. All I am hearing is T.O., T.O., T.O.
Basically I’m not losing any sleep over it….
Tony, on November 12th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
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.
WS, on November 12th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
@Totie
You mean Apple has a monopoly on smartphones? Didn’t know that.
Or do you mean they have a monopoly on iPhones (duh)?
Stop throwing around words you don’t understand.
GQB, on November 12th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
@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.
Totie, on November 12th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
“Genius, you are welcome to jailbreak your phone and do what you want. ”
Not true. Apple will void your warranty. And Apple will screw up your phone (seemingly intentionally) with its next software rev.
Apple treats tech-savvy customers like they are criminals.
iGenius, on November 13th, 2009 at 8:13 am
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!
TRRosen, on November 13th, 2009 at 9:49 am
This is an informative blog especially with all the attention the Motorola Android smart phone is getting right now. The timing could not have been better. Apple’s review policy is a bad policy and does prevent progress on the development of new applications for the i phone. It would be in Apple’s best interest as well as their customer’s best interest to change this policy.
Johan Rijk, on November 13th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Should make the process simple
Stephen, on November 15th, 2009 at 3:35 am
Some quality control … the Facebook app hasn’t worked well yet; no video, now it won’t post people’s wall posts, if there is quality control than why has such a buggy app made it through to begin with.
Dennis M, on November 21st, 2009 at 5:29 pm
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.
iphone developer, on January 9th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
iPhone development is really getting popular amongst many development companies and they already focus to developed strategic applications for users
Facebook Developers, on January 28th, 2010 at 6:54 am
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.
Tech Review, on January 28th, 2010 at 6:57 am