It had to happen eventually. Criticisms against Apple’s nonsensical App Store approval policies have been building since the store was launched, and I figured sooner or later developers would start protesting in various ways. Unfortunately for Apple, it’s starting with possibly the highest profile app developer right now–Joe Hewitt, developer of the Facebook app.
Scratch that. Former Facebook app developer. Today Hewitt tweeted that he’s leaving the project, and when pressed for comments by TechCrunch, he delivered a doozy of a diatribe:
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.
This is a PR disaster for Apple in the developer community, because it’s quite likely that other devs will follow in Hewitt’s footsteps. And as the Android Marketplace gains steam, Apple won’t remain the only application store option for too long. They’ll definitely need to make more changes than their recent application status tracking for developers.
November 12th, 2009 at 3:27 am
Some days I wonder how Apple can be so progressive and regressive at the same time. I hope they get their *&^$ together in the app approval process soon.
November 12th, 2009 at 3:49 am
Hmm, just to be fair: J Hewitt is by far not the first developer to quit the app store over their preposterous approval policies. Some dev’s have left, some have even left and come back. It’s an ongoing struggle. The App store has enormous appeal to developers, for its sheer size, the ease of use and the beauty of Cocoa programming. This stands against the seemingly arrogant, often badly-informed and demoralisingly inconsistent review process.
I’m sad to hear that Joe decided to drop out, and I hope that Apple will listen up. But to be honest, I’m not very hopeful. The App Store allure is still too strong to make any concerted action by a majority of developers very likely.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:50 am
This is why Apple computers never took off and why the PC is so popular.
If Apples would have been smart about it they would have been in every business and home like the PC is now. They hit it out of the park with the iPod then really struck gold with the iPhone and had the opportunity to do something and now they are killing it. The droid although a really good phone is still not quite as good in my book as the iPhone (as a whole). Whatever it does that the iPhone does not Apple will probably allow (multi-tasking for instance) but the developers leaving because of Apples BS tactics will eventually push the iPhone below the droid. They have some brilliant ideas and the people who work on R&D and come up with the ideas at Apple I think are some of the best. It’s the execution and maintenance of the products that sucks ass.
Apple get it together or you WILL loose! people are already starting to leave the iPhone as a customer and developer. You will not be able to sustain this top of the heap status when all you have left is fart apps and noise makers.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Ben, you’re right, I should have said he’s the highest profile dev so far to drop out.
Johnny, I hear you. Part of Apple’s appeal comes from the control of their platform, but at the same it’s one of their biggest weaknesses. I don’t think they can afford to carry on in the mobile space as they did on the desktop.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
The iPhone is the best phone. I jailbroke mine since I didn’t rent the phone from apple, I bought it. It’s just a matter of time till a company makes a better phone and all the unhappy AT&T users and iPhone developers will remember all the nasty things that Apple has done, Apple is making a grave mistake and that is they do not have user loyalty.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Interesting post) I was just gonna to buy this gadget. You see, its the best phone in USA. Of course, a bit expensive but its worth that) Thank u
November 13th, 2009 at 5:41 am
Oh, facebook now is very popular service, good idea to Iphone`s owners
November 13th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
…and to think that they lured us in by smashing an image of big brother. Ironic.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:21 am
uhhh… may be I think he is right..Apple should listen to what he says and see if there is anything that both of them would be happy
November 21st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
It seems to me that if Joe hewitt knows how to write code, it wouldn’t be so hard to comply with apples criteria…. ( what I’ve heard about it is you simply can’t step on toes, and it can’t be harmful- viruses and such….) I have come up with an idea for an app that is being developed by a team as we speak, and it will work for iPhone, AND Android……Also, when people take other people’s code and splash it in cuz they don’t know how to do it themselves, or are too lazy, problems can come up with approval…… Wouldn’t think that someone as high profile as Joe hewitt would have a problem making it work…..