Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Internet, Apple, Developer, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
AMBER Alert appmaker not happy with submission process
Jonathan Zdziarski, who has appeared on this pages before for other iPhone-related hijinx, has written an open letter to Apple about the AMBER Alert iPhone app he's written. Apparently he's worked in conjunction with government agencies to set up an iPhone app that can easily and quickly send sighting reports of children gone missing in the United States. And he's unhappy with Apple, because they haven't yet approved it.His letter, which you can read in full over here, complains that we've got tons of fart apps already approved on the store, but his app still sits in approval purgatory. He actually sounds kind of selfish in the letter to me -- he says he doesn't care about how the App Store works, and that he just wants someone to "pick up the phone" and push his app, which could save children's lives, through.
We've got nothing against the AMBER Alert system, of course, and if it's true that this app can get more reports in and possibly help kids who are in danger, then great. But do we really want Apple picking and choosing which apps get kicked to the front of the line?
Update: looks like the app has been approved. The question remains: what was the holdup?
There are thousands of apps already on the iPhone store, and probably many, many more waiting to go through. In this case, sure, you could definitely make the argument that this app could help a lot more than a random piece of software that makes farting noises. But do we really want Apple making that decision? In this instance, clearly, you'd want the AMBER Alert app to go through. But what about the next time, when Apple pushes the wrong app forward, just because the developer of that app raises a stink? Shouldn't Apple stick to apps in the order they're presented, rather than actually monitoring the 'usefulness" of every app that shows up to see which gets to go first or not?
Not to mention that it's a simple matter right now to send a report on any AMBER Alert child that may have gone missing, from your iPhone or any other wireless device. Considering that the functionality is already easily there, you could even question whether there is a pressing need for the app itself. Maybe Apple has already made its decision, and determined that because the functionality exists there already, it doesn't need to be in the store. Though if that is the case, it would have been nice for them to actually tell the developer.
There are definitely issues in the App Store that need fixing, and the approval process clearly isn't perfect. But asking Apple to kick certain apps to the front of the line just because they're perceived as more important than others isn't a solution.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
greggsymington said 9:37AM on 3-10-2009
What a publicity stunt!
Reply
KomputarGuy said 9:38AM on 3-10-2009
I agree with you on this, what better way to get people to notice your app, put up a stink about the approval process.
Dave said 10:26AM on 3-10-2009
Yup.
*Just some girl said 11:49AM on 3-10-2009
Uhhhh yeah I think thats his point. If I wanted to get my app noticed this is the way i would go.
Apple needs to approve this app right now. Even if it only saves one child's life it’s worth all the commotion.
Izzy said 12:48PM on 3-10-2009
Totally agree. Maybe he should have octuplets so he can get on Oprah to complain about it.
Rich said 1:49PM on 3-10-2009
Ptscha! What a fool for thinking that iPhone owners would take their heads out of their arses for long enough to consider that where missing children are concerned, every second counts.
mi_sat said 6:05PM on 3-10-2009
It can also be used to report sightings of Steve Jobs.
KomputarGuy said 9:37AM on 3-10-2009
I think the app store approval system sucks in general and it needs some fixing that's for sure.
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Devon said 9:53AM on 3-10-2009
Maybe Apple is worried this might backfire on the AmberAlert people. If any dumbass teenager can submit fake sighting reports with this app then it's not going to be very useful. We all know how many idiots are using iPhones with the bogus reviews etc..
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zarthrag said 10:42AM on 3-11-2009
Not only this, but has no one considered that maybe apple was trying to vet this app's authenticity? That could take more time to vet than a simple fart app which should take minutes once it reaches the front of the queue. ("Does it crash?...no...does it actually fart?...yes...PASS")
This app would require actually contacting someone in law enforcement and then discussing the pros and cons of this app. Is it too prone to abuse? Does it actually help the LE? Is it REAL? Instead of being under the purview of just one approver (or whatever the title of the apple employees with the rubber stamps), it may have gotten sent around to several people awaiting debate/confirmation. But it wasn't denied - that says something for Apple, even if it isn't entirely rosy or efficient.
Chris said 9:53AM on 3-10-2009
While I agree this app may helps (even if only one child is saved, it's already helping making this world a safer place), I'm unconvinced of the hyperbole to pin any potential suffering to Apple's "delay".
I just hope when the dust settles, this app is free. If after presenting himself as the defender of these children, he charges for the app, then in my book, this is just a self-serving publicity stunt.
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*Just some girl said 12:16PM on 3-10-2009
I highly doubt he will charge for the app.....and if he does i don't know how he'll sleep at night.
al said 2:08PM on 3-10-2009
Major publicity stunt. Agreed. But our constitutional rights aren't at stake. And apple pushing apps to the front of the line based on usefulness is fine. It's not like there's only one monkey testing an approving apps. Or maybe there is ..,,
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Jon H said 3:45PM on 3-10-2009
Maybe they're taking their time weighing the legal and PR issues, should this app result in fake sighting reports by bored teenagers.
teiresias said 9:57AM on 3-10-2009
"There are definitely issues in the App Store that need fixing, and the approval process clearly isn't perfect. But asking Apple to kick certain apps to the front of the line just because they're perceived as more important than others isn't a solution."
I find this a bit annoying coming from TUAW, a site that has clearly called out Apple for going the opposite (kicking certain apps to the back of the line, or just not approving them) because they're perceived to conflict with the possible business model of entity or conflict with something Apple is doing but hasn't yet revealed - but has no qualms about letting developers waste their time working on because they won't review anything until it's done.
If you want to get purely into the politics and appearances of the situation, the developer here may "sound kind of selfish," but just wait until Nancy Grace decides to make a stink about this on her show and you'll have plenty of parents honestly wondering why Apple can get a million far applications through and not an Amber Alert app.
Am I saying that's a fair assessment? No, though I think it can be argued as a legitimate concern. Am i saying that's how the media and perception game works? Yes.
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Albenheimer said 10:16AM on 3-10-2009
Someone atTUAW must know Jonathan Zdziarski, since TUAW only seems to review apps for people they know.
I've sent TUAW coupons for all six of my apps -- yes, the coupons get used - no, the apps never appear on TUAW.
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ooglek said 10:17AM on 3-10-2009
Maybe your apps aren't very good. Or maybe they aren't applicable to the TUAW readership. Just because they are iPhone apps don't make them newsworthy.
Albenheimer said 10:25AM on 3-10-2009
That's just it -- they're better than fart apps, and clearly as good as many of the apps TUAW 'Reviews'.
greggsymington said 10:30AM on 3-10-2009
What are they???
Albenheimer said 10:34AM on 3-10-2009
FXBox - Add your own (sound effects
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=304752215&mt=8
US Military -- info for active and retirement military personnel
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=299389827&mt=8
These two are the better ones -- of course each subsequent app is better as my knowledge of Obj-C increases.