app

Why was 'Free Memory' an App Store no-no?

The version 1.1 release of developer Bjango's iStat application for the iPhone last week was marked with disappointment.

To maintain the application's availability on the App Store, Bjango had been told by Apple that it had to remove what was arguably the most compelling feature of version 1.0: Free Memory, which enabled people to clear wired and inactive memory to increase the iPhone's battery life. It also improved the device's performance.

Bjango, which focuses on developing apps for the iPhone, felt that it had no other choice but to create a new version sans the Free Memory feature. iStat 1.1, $1.99, offers only iPhone monitoring. Among other things, users can see battery life calculations and how much memory and disk space remains.

"Apple would not say why we needed to remove the 'Free Memory' feature," Tori Gale, support manager at Bjango, wrote in an e-mail. "(Apple) simply demanded that it was removed, or (it) would delete (version 1.0 of) the app from the store...Nothing iStat did violated the terms of the developer contract, as far as we know, and Apple didn't say that it did."

When pressed for more insight over Apple's ultimatum, Gale had, much to her chagrin, little to say. "Apple really hasn't given us any information," she said. "We simply don't have much we can say."… Read more

FCC leaks TomTom's iPhone Car Kit details

Engadget published FCC documentation today that confirms that TomTom's iPhone Car Kit is quite real and may be worth an add-on for the previously released iPhone app.

According to the FCC, the kit comes with a few extras that we've been expecting. It should feature a mount and dock for the iPhone that will charge when docked, Bluetooth functionality for hands-free calling, and the "SiRFstar GPS chipset," which will definitely give users better location accuracy than the TomTom iPhone app alone.

For the full scoop on the kit, to browse photos, read its manual, and see … Read more

Rearrange your iPhone apps after jailbreaking

As I've already told you, managing hundreds of apps on your iPhone isn't easy. To date, I've acquired via evaluation license, beta testing, downloaded, or purchased a total of 292 iPhone apps, though only 207 currently reside on my iPhone.

The dilemma stems from the fact that new app icons typically go to the first available space on your home screens. You'll also find your existing icons rearranged after you install updates, delete apps, or perform a restore. Rearranging them again can be tedious.

Jeff Stieler, an intrepid iPhone developer, has come up with an application … Read more

Get free app codes at Promo Dispenser

Good news for freebie junkies like me: Promo Dispenser offers free, no-strings-attached promo codes for iPhone apps.

Good news for developers: Promo Dispenser offers a free and easy way to promote your apps.

Here's how it works: Developers add their apps' info and promo codes to the site. Users (who must register with an e-mail address) grab the allotted codes on a first-come, first-served basis. (There's no waiting and no random draw, as with previously mentioned AppGiveaway.)

Users are limited to one code per day, and you can't get another code without first commenting on and rating … Read more

California data held up for Offender Locator app

Previously, after a short banishment, the Offender Locator iPhone app was back on iTunes, but without access to offender data from California.

After contacting California attorney R. Sebastian Gibson to determine whether the app breaks any California laws, ThinAir Wireless, the app's creator, submitted an updated version of Offender Locator re-enabling access to the California data well over a week ago.

In his reply, which CNET obtained Wednesday, Gibson said that Offender Locater does not break any California laws. He also disputed an early complaint about the app (shown below) that said it was not legal in California because &… Read more

Spotify gets Apple's blessing...who's next?

Spotify's much-hyped streaming-music service has been given the green light by Apple's iPhone app approval board, according to a report from U.K.'s Paid Content. Though the Spotify app has yet to officially surface in the iTunes App Store, an Apple spokesman made it clear that the app would be available "very soon."

While the news is sure to excite Spotify's current user base in Europe and the U.K., music fans in the U.S. have yet to experience what all the fuss is about, since the service is currently blocked on this side of the pond. Rumors abound that Spotify plans to open its doors to America before the year is though, but until then, the availability of an iPhone app isn't doing us much good.

Beyond fanning the flames of American curiosity over Spotify, news of the app's approval demonstrates an intriguing change of tactics for Apple.… Read more

Unleash your inner 'American Idol' with iSing

Forget Randy, Simon, and whoever's filling Paula's shoes this week. If you've got mad vocal skillz, dawg, or you want to see what it's like to sit in the judge's chair, grab iSing--the "worldwide talent contest" for iPhone and iPod Touch.

When you run the app, you'll see a list of song entries from other iSing users. Tap any thumbnail to stream a clip, then vote on it by tapping the thumbs-up or thumbs-down button.

Entries with the most positive votes bubble to the top of the "charts," earning … Read more

Apple: Technical issues holding up Vonage app

This post was updated at 2:45 p.m. PDT with confirmation from Apple about the Vonage app.

Apple App Store approval of a Vonage mobile voice over IP app is being held up by technical issues with the Vonage software, Apple said Wednesday, confirming a report by Tech Trader Daily.

Vonage submitted an application for review and Apple is working with the developer to resolve the issues with the app, Apple spokesperson Natalie Kerris confirmed with CNET News. Kerris did not elaborate on what those issues were.

The revelation comes as federal regulators probe Apple's decision to keep … Read more

Behind 10 eyebrow-raising App Store rejections

Frustrated programmers have highlighted what they believe to be double standards, strange policies, and flip-flopping among Apple's App Store guards.

Several developers whose applications have been rejected from the store, which hosts third-party software developed for the iPhone and iPod Touch, have published their correspondence with Apple.

Apple's rejections of apps accused of infringing a patent or copyright make sense to most industry insiders. But some App Store rejections have raised quite a few eyebrows.

In an attempt to highlight--and perhaps make some sense of--a few of the more questioned rejections, I've compiled a list of those that caused me to scratch my head.

The shock starts here

CastCatcher

CastCatcher Internet Radio was enjoying its placement in Apple's App Store until the company decided to release version 1.3. The new iteration was rejected by Apple for a strange reason.

Apple wrote in a letter to CastCatcher's developer, Amro Mousa, that the application's update was rejected because it transferred "excessive volumes of data over the cellular network." Mousa was a little perplexed by Apple's decision to suddenly deny the application access to the store, considering that the new version of the app didn't transfer more data than previous, approved versions. Worst of all, Mousa said, his app was using the same amount of data as competing streaming-radio applications.

Current status: Eventually, Mousa and Apple were able to reach a middle ground, and new versions of the application were allowed into the App Store. CastCatcher 1.4.4 is currently offered in Apple's store for $1.99.

Eucalyptus Eucalyptus, an e-book reader app, was denied access to Apple's App Store after the company found that it allowed users to read the Kama Sutra. The ancient book on sexuality was downloaded from Project Gutenberg, which the app used to acquire books.

In a letter sent to Eucalyptus developers, Apple said that the app was denied because it gave users access to "objectionable" material. If the developers removed the Kama Sutra from its book listings, Apple would have allowed the app into the Store.

Current status: After having some discussions with Apple, a Eucalyptus developer wrote on the company's blog that Apple had relented and would allow the full version of the app, Kama Sutra and all, into the App Store. It's currently available for $9.99.

FreedomTime

In a political statement, a group of developers created an application called FreedomTime, to count down the days left until former President George W. Bush has been out of office.

The app featured President Bush on an analog clock as it counted down until President Barack Obama's inauguration. When users clicked on the President's body, it played so-called "truthisms," clips from speeches President Bush had given about leaving office.

Apple rejected the application on the grounds that it was "defaming, demeaning, or attacking political figures." That's an App Store no-no, evidently.

Current status: FreedomTime is still not available in the App Store. In its place, a Web site has been built to countdown the number of days former President Bush has been out of office.… Read more