Podcaster

Podcaster, an iPhone application from Almerica, was rejected 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.

In the past, Apple has removed applications and rejected applications that were arguably not very useful. I don’t think Apple should be the arbiter of taste or quality, and the applications clearly met Apple’s stated terms for inclusion. Most people didn’t seem too bothered about the removal of joke applications, but others worried about a slippery slope. Turns out, they were right. As John Gruber says, this is flabbergasting and indefensible. Not only is Podcaster a useful application, but developers will also be less likely to create new applications, since there’s so much uncertainty about whether they will be approved. It keeps getting harder to give Apple the benefit of the doubt.

Update (2008-09-13): More from Fraser Speirs, Brian Webster, John Gruber, Paul Kafasis, natevw, and Chuq Von Rospach.

Update (2008-09-15): John Gruber on section 3.3.3.

Update (2008-09-20): Angelo DiNardi’s MailWrangler (for accessing GMail) was also rejected from the App Store, for duplicating the functionality of Mail.

Microsoft’s Seinfeld-Gates Ads

Daniel Jalkut:

The prevailing thoughts on the internet seem to be that these ads are ridiculous, that they make no salient point, that they are barely funny, and that they are a pathetic, misguided attempt by Microsoft to rekindle affection from a public that has grown quite accustomed to viewing the company as a stodgy old curmudgeon.

I think these ads are genius. Or if not genius, as close to genius as Microsoft could ever dream of coming. If I was one of Microsoft’s competitors, I might not be quivering in my boots quite yet, but I’d be thinking, “my god, I am wearing boots!”

I think “genius” is a bit much—but, then, Apple also throws the word around lightly. However, I agree that the ads are much better than the Internet reaction would lead you to believe. And I say this as someone who doesn’t find Jerry Seinfeld very funny. Apple’s own ads portray Mac users as smug. The Microsoft ads let Gates use the sympathy capital that Apple built up for PC guy. I think they’re an OK start at rebuilding Microsoft’s image, making them relatable and reminding people what they’ve accomplished over the years. Microsoft isn’t going to out-cool anyone, and they’re be mocked for trying. This is much better than corporate gibberish like people_ready.

Update (2008-09-15): Jesper’s take.