Developer's iPhone boycott rates an answer from Phil Schiller

Wow. . .three guys have boycotted the iPhone. Unfortunately, 99.5% of iPhone users haven't heard of any of them, and of the 0.5% that have, 90% of then only know becuae it was reported at TUAW or some other blog. Some of the commenters here are in dire need of some perspective.

I'm thrilled to see that Phil Schiller is reaching out. I'm a little surprised that none of our communications have been responded to though.

Anything would be better than the current taste we are left with from "talking with Apple". (For anyone who doesn't know what I mean: http://www.riverturn.com/blog/?p=455 )

At the very least I would like see Phil address the refund issue. That seems easy enough to address and rectify even while in lockdown mode over the FCC investigation. http://www.riverturn.com/blog/?p=465

Please tell me that the picture has a reference to my favorite book in the Universe!

You should not find it "astonishing" that Phil Schiller started sending out emails relating to Apple's bad behavior in App Store rejections.

Apple needs to decide whether they are a hardware/software company, or whether they are big brother. If Apple had imposed the same type of restrictions over apps for the Mac when it first came out, I think that alone would have sunk Apple which would have gone down in history as another failed startup.

Apple's censorship based on "obsenity" and based on shutting out competition needs to be stopped.

I have used smartphones from SonyEricsson, Nokia and HTC. I also own an old Palm II. Most of the apps on these devices were crapware (apart from the medical stuff on Palm) and were not easy to set up and install.

The AppStore is, IMHO, a good model for app sales/distribution. Non-AppStore apps for jailbroken iPhones are also good, but developers don't always follow Apple's strict guidelines, and some apps can (and have) caused problems.

Apple's policy of hand-holding both on the Mac and the iPhone/Touch means developers must follow strict guidelines. The installation process is straight forward and apps just work.

Give Apple a break -- I first purchased a mobile phone on a reasonably-priced tariff FIFTEEN years ago! In human terms, the iPhone is still definitely in nappies. I'm sure there are a lot of developers out there who aren't complaining about the money they make (without having the burden of marketing, payment processing, software delivery, etc). The phone, apps, approval process and the store will evolve and improve with time...

I think as usual, the Apple user community knows little about the big picture. This move on Schiller's part represents a HUGE step forward. In fact, Apple's approach to the iPhone has always been an experimental one, trying one strategy after another and adjusting to the market, particularly for the developers. They're actually listening. We the users are often unaware of these workings, and we love to throw our opinions around, which have little to do with the real world.

Buck up.

"... Apple + AT&T end (or are forced to end) carrier exclusivity, iPhone magically pops up on Verizon (best coverage in my experience), ..."

Nothing like someone standing on principles, but I wish he'd not include ignorance among them.

Cheers

I haven't purchased a single thing from the iTunes store since GoogleVoice was rejected (and Google Latitude was forced to be a webapp), and this is coming from a guy who has spent over $2,500 dollars in the iTunes Store in just over 12 months (yes, I counted).

Good riddance, if the app doesn't break a "hard rule" (copyright infringement, nudity, personal attacks/information about someone else, etc), then approve it.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aAiuLbkPYEvA

See above. The FCC isn't investigating App Store policies -- they're investigating Apple, Palm, Sprint, and AT&T as part of investigation into rural mobile phone and service offerings (or lack thereof). The idea that the FCC cares about App Store policies is silly without knowing this backstory.

In case it hasn't been mentioned earlier, what the FCC investigation is really about isn't Google Voice's rejection, it's about rural mobile phone services.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aAiuLbkPYEvA

What's more, it's not about the iPhone only -- the Pre is also included. The idea that the FCC is solely interested in App Store policies is preposterous, but hasn't been noted enough. As mentioned in the article, the FCC cares about promoting competition, and Google Voice's rejection COULD be a part in that. But the truth is, that App Store policies aren't truly in question here.