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Apple orders Android mention scrubbed from App Store
Apparently "Android" is a four-letter word in Cupertino. The flash card app Flash of Genius was a finalist in Google's Android Developer Challenge, and the developers thought that was worth mentioning in the description of the iPhone version of their app. Apple didn't agree, and sent the developers an email asking them to remove the Android line from their app description, under threat of an "interruption" in Flash of Genius' availability on the app store.I like Apple, but does anyone else think this seems a bit like a movie gangster cliché? It's just shy of showing up in a dark pinstripe suit, carrying a baseball bat and saying "It would be a shame if anything happened to your ... availability in the app store." There's no official ban on mentioning Android, as far as we know, so the email said that the description "contains inappropriate or irrelevant information." Apple mentioned the Android award specifically, though, without referring to Flash of Genius' other boasts about mentions in books and newspapers.
What's the deal, Apple? Is this a one-time fluke that deserves an apology, or are we going to see all Android mentions consistently removed in the future? For Flash of Genius' part, they're contacting Apple to find out if there's any acceptable way to mention their award without getting their app booted from the store.
[via Cult of Mac]
Comments
30
Subscribe to commentsMoney MikeFeb 4th 2010 1:40PM
That's some BS. There's no other way to put it.
The funny thing is that I continue to find plenty of apps on my Droid that reference the iPhone. I sure hope Google doesn't stoop to their level and pull the same crap.
burnblueFeb 4th 2010 2:26PM
Mike is right, so
That's some BS
nickFeb 4th 2010 2:46PM
it wouldn't make sense for google to do that because they leverage everyone else's success for free.
mkoFeb 4th 2010 1:52PM
The whole App Store feels like a mob operation to me.
216Feb 4th 2010 1:56PM
yea there's plenty of Android apps that mention iphone (such as that Livescores app). Its just Apple being all "WE MUST CONTROL EVERYTHING" again
ElranzerFeb 4th 2010 1:56PM
This should be no surprise to anyone. Apple has always been anti-competitive like this.
jotwinowskiFeb 6th 2010 9:52AM
But, Oh Boy do they object to a similar attitude from Amazon!
Matthew W.Feb 4th 2010 1:58PM
More Apple arrogance, more Apple bullying. And before all you "this is how the business world is" people start in on me, you CAN do business without acting like the playground bully.
DavidFeb 4th 2010 2:10PM
This is the main reason I will never own another Apple product.
FleurFeb 4th 2010 5:30PM
This is exactly why I have NEVER owned an Apple product.
And I like how everyone calls Microsoft the big bully, but even when they were justifiably a monopoly, their systems were more open than Apple has ever been. And somehow people still buy Apple's marketing BS that they're a "cool," "artistic" company.
JonFeb 4th 2010 6:23PM
Here here!
ruauch800Feb 6th 2010 1:02PM
OR- they'll never own you! LOL!!
PC-VIPFeb 4th 2010 2:14PM
You know, I'm pretty sure that's illegal.
Yeah, it's their store and they can set standards, but if they haven't specifically mentioned the issue as you've described it, then it really DOES sound almost like racketeering.
Frightening.
Here's my company's iphone app:
http://itunes.apple.com/hk/app/answer-guy-central/id349621537?mt=8
I'm gonna start cramming it with Android references. OH WAIT; THEY'RE ALREADY IN THERE!
Yikes.
Dolores ParkerFeb 4th 2010 2:16PM
Great image Jay!
r3loadedFeb 4th 2010 2:22PM
Apple have jumped the shark with regard to the App Store and their mobile platform. This latest episode has just strengthened my belief that selling my iPod Touch and ordering a Nexus One (when it comes to Vodafone and my existing contract runs out) is the way forward for me.
Brian!Feb 4th 2010 3:09PM
I almost want Apple to get busted as some type of monopoly and force them to split of iTunes as a separate company. Then further force iTunes to open compatibility with other devices.
They may make pretty laptops and phones, but they sure are a bunch of asses the way they behave with their 40% margins.
DylanFeb 4th 2010 7:08PM
That's the thing though Jay:
Apple is completely interested in controlling the mobile / app industry and they don't care who's toes they step on.
Everything they produce now is completely closed. The software, the ports on the devices, the service providers.
Quickly they're becoming the next Microsoft, but they have a legion of Mactards to back them up, which somehow credits them as "The Best Company Ever!"
Informed consumers should boycott all closed Apple devices such as the iPad, iPhone and iPod as well as content delivery systems (iTunes -- DRM sucks, Apple TV and the App Store).
DavidFeb 6th 2010 9:25AM
I think they removed DRM. But I do agree with you, I hate Apple for those same reasons. I have an iPhone because my company gave it to me, and its nice and all... but I just hate how they do business and I will never personally purchase they're hardware.
ProlornFeb 5th 2010 3:59AM
What's sad is how unsurprising it is.
Also, props to Flash of Genius for pursuing the matter with Apple. Not that the free publicity hurts, I'll warrant.
niceguydbnFeb 6th 2010 7:13AM
Apple is EVIL!!!
I think it ironic that the company that did that 1984 commercial for the introduction of the Mac acts so 1984-like.
It is time for the government to get involved with iTunes and the App Store. Microsoft was never so blatant.