Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil pulled from iOS App Store

[RAMd®d]

Damn.

I thought it a bit pricey; now I'm a little sorry that I cheaped out.

http://rogueamoeba.com/utm/2012/05/24/ap...app-store/

[numbered]

Interesting take from Gruber about the whys and wherefores.

[silvarios]

It was a free app. $2.99 in app purchase unlocked iOS device as AirPlay receiver. Bought it a couple, maybe three weeks ago.

I am not happy about this decision by Apple. I give Apple my trust to properly vet apps in the app store. If Rogue Amoeba did something improper, the app should never have been approved in the first place.

Here's the big problem for me personally. I downloaded the app directly to my iOS device. To back up the app to somewhere more permanent after the app was pulled from the store, I had to plug in one of my iOS devices and select transfer purchases. Unfortunately, one of the iOS devices couldn't transfer any purchases. No idea why, just failed silently.

My second device did try to transfer, but told me this particular computer wasn't authorized. My favorite item that failed to transfer was a DRM free song purchase (Edit: I really only cared about transferring Airfoil Speakers Touch, but I saw no option for selecting specific content, hence iTunes attempt to pull everything over). Really Apple? I need to authorize a machine to transfer DRM free content? iTunes says five devices are authorized, but no list to tell me which ones, my only option was a global de-authorize since all but two of my systems are currently in storage. Not sure why Apple can't allow me to manage my authorizations directly from my iTunes account, you know like my Netflix account manages to accomplish with a tiny percentage of Apple's profits to expend on the feature. Luckily, my girlfriend still has her computer with her and her machine was currently authorized.

There is still an outstanding question. Since the feature I purchased was an in-app purchase, can an iOS device still enable that particular feature after reinstalling the app? Does Apple have any control of recovering the in-app purchase key of apps or is this something Rogue Amoeba is able to handle directly?

[silvarios]

numbered wrote:
Interesting take from Gruber about the whys and wherefores.

I'm not interested. Gruber is just a small bit more sane than the drivel spewing platform evangelists masquerading as journalists that are Siegler and Dilger.

Bigger question, if the app store is so great because it is a jail, how do these impure apps keep making it through the review process?

[silvarios]

Let me contrast to my Nokia smartphone. Yes, even Nokia and crusty old Symbian does the app installation process much better. There's the Nokia store, which is the official somewhat curated centralized repository. However, you are not limited to the Nokia store, you can still "sideload" apps if you choose.

Why is this a big deal? I bought an app in the Nokia store that had less features than the same version of the app directly available from the developer's website (the version numbers were literally the same despite the difference in features) . No problem. I contacted the developer and they sent me a license code for the non Nokia store version (after paying any potential difference in price).

Since Apple are such control freaks, this isn't possible on iOS. Too bad really. My purchase of Airfoil Speakers Touch was my plan to salvage some use for my aging second gen iPod touches. If I can't reestablish the functionality of Airfoil Speakers Touch after re-installation, I'll probably send these units to the recycle center and wash my hands of iOS.

I'm truly that disappointed.

[Carnos Jax]

Sil, it just seems that Apple is not targeting u as their main audience. In bringing computing to the masses, techies like many of us are gonna be swept to the wayside. We either have to switch or live with the changes by becoming even better hackers...

[silvarios]

Carnos Jax wrote:
Sil, it just seems that Apple is not targeting u as their main audience. In bringing computing to the masses, techies like many of us are gonna be swept to the wayside. We either have to switch or live with the changes by becoming even better hackers...

Weird, Android has the same options I just described and yet normal people manage to use their Android phones. My Nokia phone with Belle is as easy to use as an iPhone or Android phone. This isn't about simplicity, but the control freak nature of Apple and their greed in wanting a 30% cut of everything iOS related.

Apple doesn't have to make "sideloading" apps a one step process, but why not allow anyone who pays $100 for developer access to simply unlock the feature after a quick tether to their developer system? The answer? Apple would never see another penny for iOS content from myself and others who decided to pay the extra $100 up front.

[silvarios]

Carnos,
You are correct, we either have to love all of Apple's changes or switch. I suppose I'm doing the latter. I'll miss a couple features with my current Apple devices, but eventually I'll have to make the switch. I'll milk my Mac mini server and Airport setup for as long as I can and take my money elsewhere (assuming Mac OS keeps getting more like iOS).

As far as iOS, I think the ship has already sailed for me. My last three phone purchases, Nokia e72, T-Mobile Comet, and Nokia C6-01. My last two tablet purchases, Nokia Color and Nokia Tablet. Also purchased two Nook Simple Touches.

Turns out I've already started voting with my dollars.

[Carnos Jax]

With all due respect brotha, I've had several friends and acquaintances dump Android in favor of iOS. I know of only one that went the other way. They r not hard core computer users. Despite what we may think, the novices far out weigh the tech.

In regard to Apple's greed, I'd disagree with that...it's simply a profit making opportunity. And Apple takes less of a cut than traditional distribution channels, so I don't think the greed argument can hold up.

[silvarios]

I didn't make a comment regarding which is better, but the marketshare numbers are pretty clear. At least when it comes to smartphones, Samsung by themselves surpassed iPhone sales. I don't think Apple minds taking a 25% share of the smartphone market, but three out of every four smartphone users does not use iOS. Hence my comments about regular people. Unless you think regular people are outnumbered by tech enthusiasts?

Apple has some of the highest hardware margins in the industry and then takes another 30% off the content as well. Pretty nice business. Apple doesn't need to lock in content to be profitable, but they do it anyway.

I don't get it. There's not much positive about Apple's app store policies. Why defend them? A few simple tweaks and the whole thing is much better. Allowing side loading of app would be a great start.