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Facebook app developer is through with the iPhone, blames App Store approval process

by Michael Rose Nov 11th 2009 at 11:00PM

It would have been nice for the App Store's public relations team if the biggest news in the past few days was the introduction of a more transparent progress report for applications under review, giving developers some of the feedback they need to see where their apps are in the pathway towards approval and release. Unfortunately, that minor but tangible step toward a more open approval process is overshadowed by a story of frustration and disaffection from one of the platform's rising stars: Joe Hewitt, the man behind Facebook's popular iPhone app, is mad as hell and he's not going to take it anymore.

Hewitt's frustration with the app review process isn't new, but in the same August blog post where he called for the elimination of review, he promised "I will not stop developing for Apple's platforms or using Apple's products as long as they continue to produce the best stuff on the market." A few months later, he's announced that he's handing off the Facebook app to another developer, and he's reached the point where his frustration has overcome his willingness to continue working on the iPhone. [Commenter 'Gak' points out that Hewitt's open-sourced Three20 library for iPhone devs has been flagged for use of private frameworks, which may have been one of the final straws.]

Hewitt spoke to TechCrunch earlier today, and his attitude is clear:

"My decision to stop iPhone development has had everything to do with Apple's policies. I respect their right to manage their platform however they want, however I am philosophically opposed to the existence of their review process. I am very concerned that they are setting a horrible precedent for other software platforms, and soon gatekeepers will start infesting the lives of every software developer."

Losing the talent behind the top social networking app in the store is bad for users and bad for the platform, but I don't imagine that Apple is going to give up the lockdown of review anytime soon. Is there a way around this logjam that will let developers innovate at Internet speed while still giving Apple some semblance of control? Here's one idea...


Let's accept the premise that the majority of iPhone developers are benign and competent, and unlikely to ship malicious or horribly crashy apps (if only to preserve their reputation). Let's also acknowledge that even with a formal review approach, Apple has missed the mark repeatedly on content, functional and security issues for apps that have made it into the store. Devs want to work faster; Apple wants to make the store safe for all.

How about trying this: review after release for vetted developers. Once your first app has successfully made it through traditional review, you're marked as legit; subsequent upgrades and new releases go out without prior restraint, except in a few categories where Apple has to work within contract agreements (carrier restrictions on video or tethering, for example, or explicit sexual content). No more bug fixes waiting for weeks, no more wondering whether an innovative idea will ever see the light of day after spending months of effort and lots of money.

Here's the carrot, though, to keep some value in Apple's stamp of approval: unreviewed apps are unlisted, accessible via search or direct link but left out of category lists, promotion pages and top sales lists. Direct iTunes URLs for your app land on a warning page, telling users that the app they are about to buy has not been reviewed and may not work as expected. User flags of crashing or improper behavior will still bring the review squad down on your app, and it can still get pulled retroactively for blatant violations of the developer agreement -- although the rules will have to be both clearer and less restrictive if this is going to work.

If you can promote and publicize your unreviewed app without the advantage of Apple's review clearance and iTunes attention, more power to you -- the review is optional, more like a relationship with a traditional retailer than the gatekeeper effect currently in force.

Is this feasible, or am I smoking something? Let me know below. We've seen enough defections from the platform over these issues to make me think that a radical step towards openness is the best way forward.

I should note that my airy musings on the future of the App Store have been heavily influenced by the deep thinking of Craig Hockenberry on the topic.



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It would have been nice for the App Store's public relations team if the biggest news in the past few days was the introduction of a more...
 

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iphone developer

I have definitely heard a ton of developers complain about the Apple app store policies. It can be very frustrating espescially when they deny your app, without really giving you a reason why. http://www.PhoneFreelancer.com

January 13 2010 at 1:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bob

After owning an Android device, I have to say that I mostly appreciate the App Store approval process. Sure, the Android Market 'lets the users decide' but it has been absolutely flooded with complete CRAP applications! WAY worse than the iTunes App Store. Android Market is loaded with duplicate apps, buggy, unstable apps, and apps that are basically a scam to generate ad click revenue. It's a big trash heap with a few decent apps on top. Then again even some of the apps that were ported over lack features. THe Android Facebook app is a good example. It has way fewer features than the iPhone app does. ANd let's not even get started how the "free open source market" has been a total failure for Android unless you want Family Guy soundboards, fart apps or some dumb app showing you bikini girl pics (and then only showing you the same 10 pics unless you buy the paid version) ... lame.

November 16 2009 at 4:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
snargledorf

Fuck ya! Now maybe this will make Apple change their ways! This is a big lose for Apple. Facebook has to be one of the most popular apps in the app store and to have the main developer of the app sign off is saying alot!

November 14 2009 at 12:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
brooke

Pot, Kettle, Black?

Seriously, FB is the *most* locked down application development environment on the web. Try to get an app onto FB. Then you'll realize the iPhone submission process is a piece of cake in comparison.

Please.

November 13 2009 at 11:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to brooke's comment
swatch

@ brooke: False. If this were true, we wouldn't be seeing all these Quizzes and garbage apps like "What your toenail color says about you".

@others: I don't know which version of facebook you've been using on your iphones, but newsflash--there was a newer version that came out about 3 or 4 months ago that completely fixed all the crashing you nerds were experiencing. I was extremely frustrated with the facebook app prior to that, but this dude fixed it all when the new one came out.

I think the solution here is pretty simple, and I'm sorry if someone else has already stated this. I didn't take the time to read through everyone's posts after I read one too many "good riddance and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out" remarks.

Jailbreak your iPhone and use Cydia or Rock. The more developers that get frustrated with Apple's process and walk away, the more great apps we get in the jailbreak community, without lame restrictions. By the way, the developers still get paid, because both of these apps have their own "app store" to purchase from. Everyone wins.


November 13 2009 at 11:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Zach S

While it is true that occasionally Apple gets their review process VERY, VERY WRONG, it's also true that the amount of extra crap that would make it on to the App Store would be TREMENDOUS if there wasn't some kind of review system in place.

November 12 2009 at 7:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
joe

OMG just get over it and play the game.
apple reviews apps so that there aren't any problems, viruses or other malicious threats to the iphone. they want an absolute problem free platform just like osx. even someone writing the facebook app could have over looked something or could be pushing their own agenda. if the issue this time was over a customised set of frameworks, then don't use them. the facebook app is also one of the worst designed apps out there imo.
play the game, jerk.

November 12 2009 at 5:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
onemanarmy

Did you even read the linked posts in the article? iPhone apps "can't mess up the OS" because they run in a sandbox. Also bigger companies have quality assurance and control teams. So your point is moot really!

November 12 2009 at 2:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
scott

While Mr. Hewitt is very talented, I think he has let his ego get the best of him.

Personally I also hate the app store approval process, but life is not fair. To put this more in perspective, Mr. Hewitt is the author of one of the most (if not _the_ most) popular apps in the app store. So he has plenty to be thankful for.

He sort of reminds me of zed shaw, the super pissed off ruby on rails developer. Being a programmer myself, neither attitude does very well for either community. Make yourself heard, but don't be a baby.

November 12 2009 at 1:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tes

Wow...I didn't realise how sycophantic the readers of TUAW were. Can someone explain this chain of thought;

"Good riddance, the Facebook app was buggy and crap...Apple has to review apps so that they're not buggy and crap!"

Er...am I the only one spotting the logical fallacy the there?

November 12 2009 at 12:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Aedile

Here's a thought. How about they more clearly define the rules, make the process more transparent and then hire more staff to make things quicker?

-aedile-

November 12 2009 at 12:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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