Filed under: Developer, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
"Pull My Finger" returns to the App Store
MacRumors reports that the developer of the "Pull My Finger" iPhone application was finally accepted by Apple. You may recall that Apple banned the application from the App Store a few months ago due to "Limited Utility." It looks as though Apple has changed its mind about the application, and has decided to finally allow it into the Store. The developer told MacRumors, "[Apple] told me that they are going to start approving a whole new "genre" of apps, and that Pull My Finger will be the first to be accepted in this genre. As of now Pull My Finger is available in the app store."
If you would like to download this once-banned application, you can purchase it for $0.99US from the iTunes App Store. Do you have a theory about Apple's change of mind? Tell us in the comments!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JJ said 6:17PM on 12-12-2008
Here's my theory.
You guys ready for it??
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Apple could care less about it's functionality. It will make them a few cents from the dumbasses stupid enough to buy this dumb app.
Sorry, I'm usually not such a troll on the comments, but these kinds of things really get my goat.
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Jinto said 12:48AM on 12-13-2008
Your theory is right on the money!
KA said 6:19PM on 12-12-2008
YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHH!
WOOOOOOT!
*ahem* I am so sorry; I don't know what came over me.
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Techslacker said 6:23PM on 12-12-2008
I don't think it's about money but more about expansion and retention of customers now that other companies are joining the mix with their own new phones and app stores. Alot of smart companies do things in stages like this so it keeps momentum and hype going and can take the wind out of their competition.
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Dan said 3:03PM on 12-13-2008
expansion and retention of customers == $$$!
Bones3D said 6:36PM on 12-12-2008
Bets on whether or not IAmRich returns at it's original price point?
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Jeremy said 6:40PM on 12-12-2008
I think that the guy probably threatened to sue them. Given the huge amount of absolute shite apps in the store, the apps that are not even apps, the apps that are advertisements etc., it would be pretty hard to justify removing this one. As stupid as it is, "Pull My Finger" is the only app that was really pulled for no reason whatsoever. All the others had valid commercial reasons for being pulled or were scams.
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m said 11:22PM on 12-12-2008
in other words,
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Jon Crawford said 6:56PM on 12-12-2008
I bought this! I'm part of the revolution!
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edward said 5:41PM on 12-14-2008
I did, too. But app is useless, piece of crap. I wasted dollar. I don't understand why it is so news here. Rejected before then reappeared? That's why?
Ted said 7:48PM on 12-12-2008
It's annoying how hysterical people have got over the AppStore approval process. Given the massive popularity of the App Store in terms of sheer volume it's very probable Apple's reviewers were overwhelmed and might have made some bad choices or perhaps they were scared to be "the guy" who pissed off the higher ups at Apple by approving the wrong app. Over time though they now have a better understanding of what Apple's policy is and how much (if any) personal judgement should be a factor.
I also believe the original AppStore layout was very limiting and reviewers might have felt some pressure to reject apps with little or no obvious value simply to make the AppStore easier to navigate. Again, over time, they will refine that. Eventually we'll have a "Novelty" category and the problem will be solved once and for all. The navigation improvements in the last firmware update already helped the situation considerably.
People just need to relax. Apple is new at this. It hasn't even be out 6 full months yet. I would say 6 months to match, exceed and obliterate all other mobile computing platforms combined is respectable. Imagine what it will be like in another 6 months. Have some patience.
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Ethan said 7:35PM on 12-12-2008
I would love them if they actually called the section limited utility.
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Jason Martin said 1:02AM on 12-13-2008
Very funny! That would be awesome. I'd love to interview devs would put their apps in that genre.
Azazello said 10:17PM on 12-12-2008
I am not really sure why I am responding: who cares!
Seriously WTF!
Freedom of expression: do we really think the fart-jokes are really worth cyber-electrons?
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Wheels said 11:40PM on 12-12-2008
Hey, everybody likes fart jokes.
Victor Agreda Jr said 9:30PM on 12-12-2008
Considering the fact that I downloaded "HisFinger" and all it does is essentially the same thing (substitute another noise and add some intellectual property I doubt they own), I am not surprised.
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Bob6stringer said 9:38PM on 12-12-2008
My theory is that Apple was trying to keep "compleat" wastes of time off the store, but couldn't resist the likes of koi pond, Brian Eno and other time wasters... and enough people pointed out that it was hypocritical to exclude this time-honored "Bronx Cheer" generator.
If there's a reason for the delayed return of PMF, it's because the new do-nothing genre will be part of a larger AppStore UI to be unveiled at MacWorld. No rocket science, but I think sense-making.
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mongul said 10:18PM on 12-12-2008
"Apple could care less about it's functionality. It will make them a few cents from the dumbasses stupid enough to buy this dumb app."
Exactly. This is a subtle hint to Zune Tattoo Guy that he should get an iPhone. :-D
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Dave Barnes said 11:16PM on 12-12-2008
@OP
It is $0.99 USD and not $0.99US.
All the currency codes are 3 characters.
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Mentalsticks said 5:04AM on 12-13-2008
actually, as far as I'm aware, it's neither, although I could be wrong here, which however I don't believe: it's either US$0.99 or USD 0.99