Today I finally got a reply from Apple about the status of Podcaster.
Apple Rep says: Since Podcaster assists in the distribution of podcasts, it duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes.
That's right folks, it duplicates the functionality of the desktop version of iTunes.
Therefore, it was denied from sale in the app store. Although my app does allow you to listen to podcasts (like iTunes), it also allows you to download them directly to device and that is something Apple does not offer.
I find this a bit strange considering there are numerous apps that duplicate the functionality of other apps. For example, any calculator app is duplicating the functionality of Apples calculator app. Any app that tells you the weather is duplicating the Yahoo weather app. Any app that let's you listen to music is duplicating the iPod portion of the iPhone.
There are also several apps that simply allow you to listen to a podcast (Diggnation and Mobility Today just to name a few) that are not denied from the app store.
Apple had nothing in the terms prohibiting developers from duplicating features currently available on desktop application. I followed all the guidelines and made sure everything is in the correct place. Yet Apple denies me because I allow users to download podcasts just like iTunes.
I have emailed them back to find out what I must do in order for the app to be approved. I still have not received a reply. In the mean time, I have started to distribute the app via the Ad Hoc Method. If you would like to purchase a copy, please head over to http://www.nextdayoff.com and submit your UDID.
UPDATE: I used the word donation instead of pay because that's how I had it for the web app (podcaster.fm). The price of this application is $9.99.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Still waiting, No word from Apple
It has been almost 3 weeks since I first submitted Podcaster to the App store. Since then, I have made numerous improvements. They include correctly reading redirected url, abiliy to download any length file, no more 40 MB limit, resuming partial downloads, a more user friendly podcast directory, an auto sync feature that will download the most current 10 podcasts while deleting any older items, downloaded audio podcasts now play in the background so you can browse show notes. That doesn't include the dozens of bugs that I had to work out. I really want to give it up to the testers. You guys really came through and got this app worked out. So to sum it up, Podcaster is working great. All the functions seem to be performing the intended function.
Now for some bad news, Podcaster is still waiting to be approved. It has NOT been rejected. It's just sitting there, wont let me push an update until it is approved. Apple needs to get a few more employees, I think, so they can test apps faster. I don't feel that it's really fare to me or to you (The users). Podcaster is actually something useful. I don't really need my phone to tell me how fast I am going in the car? I suggest there should be a new approval process. 100 users get the app and get to use it and vote on it (Similar to testing it, but each user votes Ready or Not Ready) Once the majority of the users says yes, it gets approved. I am sure that would eliminate a lot of waiting and improperly executed apps.
I have also been given a shout out on several podcasts. They include episode 785 or Buzz Out Loud, Episode 39 and Episode 40 of Australian Talk. In the upcoming weeks, I will be appearing in another mac podcast this time talking about Podcaster and macs in general. Previously, I spent an entire Episode talking with Cami Kaos and Dr Normal about podcaster web app on this episode of Strange Love: Tech Edition.
One last thing, I don't have any open ad hoc spots left. Please stop sending me requests. I have been just keeping them "just in case" I get more spots later. I have been thinking of a good way to rotate users that become inactive so tell me what you think of this. I will setup a page that you enter your UDID into, then you have to check in 1 time a week(or so) and reenter the UDID, this way, if you don't come back, the key gets reset and someone else gets it. Nothing like this is currently in place so this is a great time for comments.
Let's hope Podcaster gets approved soon.
Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/iPhonePodcaster
UPDATE: Now is a great time to setup your podcast list so when Podcaster does get released, you can quickly import. Just sign up for an account at http://www.podcaster.fm, then follow instructions at http://www.podcaster.fm/import to import from iTunes. You will later use this account to import to Podcaster iPhone app.
Now for some bad news, Podcaster is still waiting to be approved. It has NOT been rejected. It's just sitting there, wont let me push an update until it is approved. Apple needs to get a few more employees, I think, so they can test apps faster. I don't feel that it's really fare to me or to you (The users). Podcaster is actually something useful. I don't really need my phone to tell me how fast I am going in the car? I suggest there should be a new approval process. 100 users get the app and get to use it and vote on it (Similar to testing it, but each user votes Ready or Not Ready) Once the majority of the users says yes, it gets approved. I am sure that would eliminate a lot of waiting and improperly executed apps.
I have also been given a shout out on several podcasts. They include episode 785 or Buzz Out Loud, Episode 39 and Episode 40 of Australian Talk. In the upcoming weeks, I will be appearing in another mac podcast this time talking about Podcaster and macs in general. Previously, I spent an entire Episode talking with Cami Kaos and Dr Normal about podcaster web app on this episode of Strange Love: Tech Edition.
One last thing, I don't have any open ad hoc spots left. Please stop sending me requests. I have been just keeping them "just in case" I get more spots later. I have been thinking of a good way to rotate users that become inactive so tell me what you think of this. I will setup a page that you enter your UDID into, then you have to check in 1 time a week(or so) and reenter the UDID, this way, if you don't come back, the key gets reset and someone else gets it. Nothing like this is currently in place so this is a great time for comments.
Let's hope Podcaster gets approved soon.
Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/iPhonePodcaster
UPDATE: Now is a great time to setup your podcast list so when Podcaster does get released, you can quickly import. Just sign up for an account at http://www.podcaster.fm, then follow instructions at http://www.podcaster.fm/import to import from iTunes. You will later use this account to import to Podcaster iPhone app.
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