iPhone App rejected for "Limited Utility"

We had today our new app rejected.

I guess Amazon won Apple this time, they knocked us out before Apple could do it...

http://emptyfactory.com/mazo

"'Pull My Finger' is tasteless."

So is "2 Girls 1 Cup," but that didn't stop you from riffing on the name for your lousy weekly TUAW "feature."

The problem is not with this app or any other "useless" app. The problem is that Apple is not being open (surpise) about its criteria and it appears to be using going beyond functional criteria like stability into esthetic criteria. That is dangerous ground. They would be better off letting in any app that does not break the phone and let the market decide on the usefulness of apps.

Someone mentioned 200 apps per week added. It doesn't seem like that. I only see a few apps each week in the "New" section. Have been disappointed in the pace.

This does highlight the scaling problems with the current app store. The need to give it its own search and a more expansive navigation scheme. Its stupid to be searching for apps and get back music. Probably works the other way, too. Might be better to get away from fixed categories and go towards tagging, anyway.

Love it, want it.

Apple, one vote right here for approving this app.

I created a whoopie cushion app about a month ago that cracked up all my beta testers. Apple didn't bother with a rejection email...just sent it to review limbo to die. Hmmm. Guess I will make another match-3/tetris/bubble clone with colored shapes.
Has Apple become big brother from the 1984 Mac ad?

If the iPhone platform fails it will be Apple's fault because of all this bullshit.

There really should be one or more alternative venues for developers to sell applications that don't fit into the app store. For example, the adult content market is clearly something that Apple wouldn't want to associate with, but it's still an important market for this platform to cater to. The same goes for fart jokes and other 'throw away' applications.

If Apple would make its policy clear, then the establishment of an alternative app store (to sell apps that fall outside Apple's guidelines) would be easier, and ultimately contribute to the success of the platform.

In any case, competition will make Apple change its mind eventually.

If competitors phones can fart.... it's game over!

I gotta think that Apple is going to face a lawsuit over this type of decision soon. If I as a developer (I'm NOT) am not allowed to sell an app that is of at least as much "utility" as More Cowbell, they are denying me an opportunity to generate income. This is the same app they already have in the store with a different sound file attached so the limited utility excuse is bunk. Maybe if Apple doesn't want to be associated with certain types of apps, they should allow a different vector into the iphone.
Why can't developers be allowed to generate an app file you could download & just drop into the app library on your computer to sync? Because Apple would lose out on their 30%.
Please don't give me that Bull manure about security & support being the main issues behind only allowing "App Store" apps onto the phone, All they would need to say is "We do NOT support any app not purchased through the App Store."

I for one loved the ifartz app. Hours of fun were had tricking my housemate i was farting all over his bed...