We've been talking quite a bit about Google Voice on the blog the last few days because Apple apparently started telling developers it was ok to submit Google Voice applications again in the App Store.
Although he was getting everybody's attention, developer Sean Kovacs is not the only one working on Google Voice applications, and someone actually came up with a Google Voice app before him...
Some of you might remember the application called Google Voice Mobile, which was approved in the App Store last year. When the battle between Apple and Google started heating up though, the application was pulled from the App Store because it "replicated features that come with the iPhone", namely the "phone" part. The app quickly went underground and made its way to the iPhone anyway via Cydia.
Since Apple loosened the app approval process last week, they invited Sean Kovacs, the developer of Google Voice Mobile, to resubmit his application to the App Store. Woohoo, great news indeed. MacRumors has had the chance to have a quick glance at the application, rebaptized GV Mobile+ for the occasion. It looks pretty good...
So Google thinks they are pretty cool with their instant search capabilities, do they? What if you could search for iOS applications and have the same kind of results but it took you to iTunes with just one click?
According to Life Hacker that's exactly what a little web-app called App Store Instant does. After just a few letters into the search and a list of possible entries come up with pictures and brief descriptions attached...
As we reported last week Apple unveiled a special section in the App Store that features entries compatible with Game Center. This new iOS 4.1 feature is a social gaming network that allows you to compete against as many friends as you can convince to accept your requests. Apparently that isn't the case if your friend tally goes beyond 500.
TiPb has a story about an employee running into issues once their friend counter gets to 500. Beyond that it appears that once you delete a friend and you're at 499 another request is then allowed through which bumps your tally to the seemingly restricted 500...
We were all dancing in the street while holding up our posters of the Apple hierarchy when the announcement that the rules and regulations had been altered to allow just about anything into the App Store, right? Certainly there is no reason to believe that apps from the past that were once denounced will likely be gracing the store soon. But is that all of it?
What did the regulation altering really say? Certainly a company the size of Apple would need to put specifics down to paper when changing something as influential as the App Store regulations. PC World shows us they certainly did write things down, in that evasive Apple tone that always leaves room for immediate alteration in policy.
We knew that jailbreaking is now legal and that Apple seriously loosened their app approval process but we certainly didn't expect to find an application that explains how to jailbreak your iPhone in the App Store.
That's however what the ModMyI application does among many other things, as it brings the full forums to the palm of your hand with this new app.
I am still kind of in disbelief about Apple's recent and sudden restriction removal regarding the App Store guidelines. Getting reports like the following from BGR make it very real in my eyes.
Sean Kovacs, the developer of GV Mobile (Google Voice Mobile), has posted a tweet that all but says the once banned application will be likely gracing the presence of the virtual store. It reads:
In the wake of an FTC investigation, Apple decided yesterday to loosen its restrictions on iOS app development and published full guidelines about applications submitted for review in the App Store.
These guidelines aim at helping developers understand how Apple reviews applications. To quote Apple, "we hope it will make us more transparent and help our developers create even more successful apps for the App Store."
Well, speaking of transparency, can someone at Apple explain to me why Apple's iMovie application for iPhone violates their own guidelines?
That didn't take along, did it? Yesterday we reported that Apple announced they were loosening the reins on the guidelines and restrictions as it relates to the App Store. The thought in our minds and apparently the mind of Adobe as well was "what does this mean for Flash and the iPhone?"
Don't believe it will happen as fast as it's being reported? TUAW has Adobe saying the following regarding Apple's new attitude:
It's an eery feeling when you write an article and on the same day the company you wrote about changes or modifies a policy related to the content of your story. It makes you feel like they're watching you.
We posted a story about the SDK for iOS and how the cloudy restrictive nature of the acceptance process might be hurting the creative flow of the App Store. Less than 2 hours later 9 to 5 Mac posted a statement by Apple regarding the App Store review guidelines...
It's always a busy time in the world of iPhone blogging when the iPhone iOS gets an upgrade. Reports are flying high and aiming low about every feature implemented in the newest version of the operating system.
As you know by now iOS 4.1 has brought us Game Center, the social network fix for Apple gamers. So now that the platform is there and you've convinced all your iOS toting friends to add your handle, you may be asking what you're supposed to do without any games. Have no fear, the App Store is here...
I can't imagine owning an iPhone or other Apple handheld without the addition of the App Store. I've said before that I believe it to be the greatest asset to the iOS platform. So what's the problem?
Apple Investor outlines the possibility that a vague module and a totalitarian controlled acceptance process has caused developers to walk on egg shells thus stunting their creativity. Some say the terms of service are often inconsistent, but as with any report like this, there are two lines of thought to be heard...