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Developers backing away from both Google and Apple-Why?
Nov 22nd
Are things Really That Bad In App World?
Gameloft Cuts Funding-
The French gamemaker, Gameloft, has admitted to cutting back on most of their funding for Android apps. Their reasoning? According to Reuters, this is what Alexandre de Rochefort, Director of Finance had to say:
We have significantly cut our investment in Android platform, just like … many others,” Gameloft finance director Alexandre de Rochefort said at an investor conference. “It is not as neatly done as on the iPhone. Google has not been very good to entice customers to actually buy products. On Android nobody is making significant revenue.”
Apparently, the problem is with the way Android’s app store is set up. It doesn’t lure the customers in well enough to make a profit. The iPhone’s app store seems to sell 400 times more games than Android does making iPhone generate 13 percent of their total profit for the last quarter. So you would think, in light of these facts, the developers would want to stick around iPhone app store for awhile, wouldn’t you? Apparently, this is not the case.
Developers Pulling out of iPhone App Development Too
Facebook’s Joe Hewitt, Second Gear’s Justin Williams, and long-time Mac software developer Rogue Amoeba, are all well liked and respected developers for iPhone. Or, at least, they were. According to Arstechnica.com, they seem to be so frustrated by the way Apple controls the application approval process, they have all decided to stop developing all together. When he left, Joe Hewett stated :
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.
Arstechnica.com had reported the speculation of his leaving hasd something to do with the Open source project he was woeking on, based on a Facebook app. He contacted Arstechnica.com to state it was not true, his leaving in fact was “…related to “another experience” which he is not at liberty to disclose details of publicly.”
In another statement, made by Justin Williams earlier this year, “With the latest app rejection being Google Voice, I am one step closer to selling off my iPhone products and focusing entirely on the Mac once more,” and “I can’t help but feel that I’ve wasted the past 9 months of my life building on a platform that is so hostile and anti-developer. I no longer enjoy building software for the iPhone because of the bureaucracy and infrastructure that surrounds it.” Ultimately, someone approached Williams to purchase his items, but rather than being able to transfer them, he had to delete his versions altogether.
Earlier this week a team of developers, Rogue Amoeba, trew in th towel as well. There was an issue with an update to one of the applications that had been previously approved and when the update was submited, it was rejected because of an image Apple stated it was an inappropriate use of “Apple-owned Graphic Symbols. The problem was, however, it was approved the first time around. Not only that, but there is an open API available to developers to retrieve these images for the apps. Apple did not want to hear it and repeatedly rejected the application, and Rogue Amoeba gave up.
And The Verdict Is?
First, I would like to know why, if Android (either OS) is just starting to really get a hold of the market, why don’t the developers give them a chance to build up the store? For what time period exactly are they basing their info on? Get a grip and give Driod a chance!
What the Hell is wrong with these people? Is Apple’s nose so up in the air they can’t even recognize when they are being trivial and redundant? Apparently not. What I don’t understand is why the developers are not going to the FCC with this? How are they going to let Apple get away with everything they are doing? With all the hype recently over all of the apps being rejected, even some really funny ones later overturned on appeal, you would think they would rewrite the software they use to go over the apps and grow a brain in the head of the person with final approval.
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
Apps and Rulings and Rumors-Oh My!
Nov 15th
It’s Been a Hell of A Week For Apple
What’s the Deal?
Apple has had a hell of a week, alright. There was the ruling in the copyright case, the overturning of the decision of the app for the Bobble Heads. So lets re-cap, shall we?
The Copyright Infringement Case
Apple originally sued PsyStar, a supposedly Miami Based Company, for Trademark Infringement, Trademark Dilution, Copyright Infringement, among a host of other things. The history of the case is as follows, as reported by News.Cnet.com: The suit was filed in 2008 after PsyStar started selling clones of MAC’s computr with OX XLeopard pre-installed on what PsyStar called an “Open Computer.” Apparently PsyStar sold the computers under the guise that it could run MAC software, even though it was not an official MAC. This might have been ok, except that the end user license agreement of the software specifically states the it is only allowed for operation on official MAC branded machines.
A ruling was handed down Friday by District Court Judge William Alsup in part stating:
“In sum, Psystar has violated Apple’s exclusive reproduction right, distribution right, and right to create derivative works,”
The rest of the ruling by Alsup, according to the story originally on CNet, also contained some explanation as to the ruling that smacks down PsyStar. The company screamed “fair use” and “first sale” and also filed a counter suit claiming that Apple was misusing their copyright and the license agreement was too restrictive. Judge Alsup screamed that the company:…”does not even attempt to address the four factors used to determine fair use.”
Judge Alsup also rejected the “first sale” claim because fair use only pertains to legal copies of the software, not the bootlegged software PsyStar was using. As for the counter suit? Rejected as well. For the same reasons. And, according to Engadget, PsyStar took the code and modified it to their liking, therefore making Apple’s case for infringement.
The two companies will still go to court on the other issues, trademark infringement and dilution. as there is a hearing scheduled on December 14th 209 and a trial date is set for sometime in January.
The Bobble Head Debate
It started with the Bobble head of nancy pilasco being denied and ended with the bobble heads of the US Congressmen being denied as well. But within a week of the last denial, the app is now up and running. Cartoonist Tom Richmond was commissioned to develop an app that would allow users to be able to use GPS to locate their elected congressmen and women. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Apple in turn denied the app stating:
.because it contains content that ridicules public figures and is in violation of Section 3.3.14 from the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement which states: “Applications may be rejected if they contain content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, sounds, etc.) that in Apple’s reasonable judgement may be found objectionable, for example, materials that may be considered obscene, pornographic, or defamatory.”
The full rejection letter can be read on Tom Richmond’s Blog. tom himself, in that same blog post Tomstates:
The really sad part is that here is an app that might get people interested in who represents them in Washington, especially kids and young adults, and connects people to their senators and representatives via fun and PARTISAN FREE way. Yet Apple has decided it’s not appropriate. There needs to be more of that in this world of right versus left, especially as that applies to young kids who are being raised to consider politics the public equivalent of professional wrestling. Ray’s documentary “I Want Your Money” is distinctly right wing (and my own political views are mostly left of center) but the app is totally partisan neutral
Wow, not only did Tom slam Apple, but much of the world did too. There have been news stories all over the place about this and then finally, Apple relents. The app has been approved. And it is available on iTunes for only $0.99. Have fun and make use of it cause it took a lot of ranting and raving to get it there…
More Tablet Rumors…
And for a finally, there are more rumors on the long awaited and much fabled Tablet by Apple. According to the Us Trademark & Patent Office, Apple’s full patent is available , and was filed on the basis of : “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING AND ORGANIZING INK INFORMATION IN PEN-AWARE COMPUTER SYSTEMS.” This is sparking more rumors of an Apple Tablet, which is highly expected to be officially announced within the beginning of the coming year. But, according to Network World, they better hurry up. Microsoft apparently has one in the works and “…is leaking and hinting at details of an innovative small tablet device, Courier, now in development.”
And the Verdict Is?
Well, first of all, Apple has got the upper hand in the case with PsyStar. And, even though I often am against what Apple stands for, they deserve this one. Apple has every right to make their end user license agreement any way they want. that is why it is called “proprietary code” in the first place. PsyStar can’t change that so the judge was right in this case to side with Apple.
As for the Bobble head thing, Apple is having a real tough time with apps lately, denying them left and right, almost like they have a new found morality or something. Yeah, ok. And the most likely reason they overturned the rejection of the Bobble Head app in the first place is because of all the bad press they have been getting lately. I mean, come on… It’s not like the apps were violent or pornographic or anything! Apple deserved to get slammed, and Go Tom Richmond and his fan following to get it back up and running. I’m with you buddy!
And the Tablet? I give up on it and Apple on this one. It’s been rumored for many years now and has never surfaced. IMHO they are just playing a game with consumers kind of like Microsoft does. They are getting everyone’s hopes up because of a possible new release, which in turn gets them more revenue and market share. Then- A BIG NOTHING… EVER… I am actually hoping Microsoft will get them on this score, coming out with their version first. And we all know how much I don’t like Microsoft and their antics. But I have to give credit where credit is due, anyway… It would serve Apple right for playing with their customer’s heads…
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry, as well as the weekly list. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
Apps for This and Apps for That-But Now an App to Diagnose Your Cough?
Nov 10th
When will it Ever End? When There’s Finally an App To See if You’re Pregnant?
Really? What’s The Deal?
No, there is no app to see if you’re pregnant, that was just me and my exasperation with the app world. I mean, think about it… When is it going to end? In spite of being absolutely disgusting and gross- not to mention the implications if it happens and gets final approval-A Smartphone to diagnose a cough? Enough already!
And it figures, too. The country that has the worst health care system on the planet, in my opinion-and I live here-the US of A, are the ones teaming up with the Australian developers to bring it to the world. But they can’t get their insurance system right-No wonder there’s going to be an app for that-They don’t want to have to be the ones to pay to diagnose. And why should they when they can develop an app for that?
So What’s the Real Deal?
Well, if this app goes through and gets final approval, people will be able to cough into their phone and, depending on the sound of the cough, it will tell you what is wrong with you, if anything. When the developers re finally done developing it, it will get it’s diagnosis information from a database of all different people with al different variables including, height, weight, age, race, and different diseases. you see, according o the developers,a health care worker can diagnose a person based solely on the sound of a cough by itself, so the developers of the app are claiming the software can too.
Dr Jacqueline Smith from the University of Manchester told Discovery.com that
…it could really improve disease diagnosis and help improve people’s access to health care.”
And the Verdict is?
Come on already…Not only is this going to be the most disgusting app ever created, it si going to cause a host of other problems. What if, when it is finally released, it gives the wrong diagnosis and someone ends up dying? What if it sends people for unneeded screenings and the patients end up spending thousands of dollars they shouldn’t have? Not to mention the fat that a Smartphone application is doing the diagnosing. Not doctor! Is the FDA giving the Smartphone a doctorate? Can I diagnose people? No, I don’t have a licence. Will the phone?
This is the stupidest idea ever to hit the app world. I sincerely hope that this one is protested-And hard core!
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
