Apple Rejecting Apps Based on 'Limited Utility'

One developer emailed this video and rejection letter for their app called Pull My Finger. Especially concerning is that Apple did not reject it due to it being offensive, but instead rejected it due to "limited utility":I think this sets a very bad precedent. How useful is Koi Pond [App Store]? (which remains the #1 app in the App Store). A video of the app being demonstrated:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnm-P3Z0ozo

Article Link

"Pull my finger"? Are you 12?

i agree bad precedent

let the consumers decide what apps should be used as long as it fits the sdk requirements

Heh, I want it!

I can understand Apple's decision. If left unmanaged, the app store could easily become overrun with useless apps, and cluttered to the point where finding useful apps becomes tedious. This could affect overall sales, as well as punish the developers who's apps were created with significant amounts of time and resources.

Besides, I think a clear distinction can be made between apps like koi pond and others of "limited utility" like pull-my-finger, whoopee-cushion, and the infamous I Am Rich.

I'm with Apple on this one. Perhaps one compromise would be to put it out to the community -- remove apps that consistently get rated poorly, a self-pruning as it were. Of course, to do that, you'd need a fair way of reviewing apps...

i'd buy it for like $2 or so :p

I can understand Apple's decision. If left unmanaged, the app store could easily become overrun with useless apps, and cluttered to the point where finding useful apps becomes tedious. This could affect overall sales, as well as punish the developers who's apps were created with significant amounts of time and resources.

Besides, I think a clear distinction can be made between apps like koi pond and others of "limited utility" like pull-my-finger, whoopee-cushion, and the infamous I Am Rich.

Should Crazy Eye be removed then?
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284827332&mt=8

or More Cowbell?
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=285559215&mt=8

I think the line is less clear than you think

arn

This app looks a lot better than some of the crap on the app store. For instance, ezone.com's Crazy Metal Head, which is just a metal skull that costs 99 cents and lets you use your finger to move the jaw up and down. Apple either needs to implement these standards across the board or not at all. They can't have it both ways. Half the apps in the store are crap anyway.

very funny Id like to have it.

It's not like Apple has limited space on their servers or something. Apple should allow all the programs that follow the rules (and that aren't crash happy). If nobody wants it, that's not Apple's problem. It's a silly app, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be allowed into the store.

Come on Apple, just allow the app, being so choosy is hurting the App Store. :rolleyes: