Holiday Gift Guide »

Apple Changing ‘Duplicate Functionality’ Policy? New 3rd Party Web Browsers Appearing in App Store

By: , IntoMobile
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 9:01 AM

Times, they are a changin’. Especially when it comes to inclusion policies within the Apple App Store. Word is spreading now that Apple may have/is making a shift in their strict ‘duplicate functionality’ policies.

When the App Store submission process opened, many developers from all over the globe were stunned when their apps were turned away for offering too many features similar to Apple’s own apps. Dubbed ‘duplicate functionality’ by Apple, developers were scorned and left bitter about the whole thing, until now…Perhaps. Because as I said earlier, the times… they are a changin’!

Over the last day or so Apple looks to be shifting their policy. 4 mobile browsers have appeared in the App Store, apparently given the go ahead from Apple despite offering clear ‘duplicate functionality’ when compared to Apple’s Mobile Safari browser. If you want to check them out and try them for yourself, here’s a shortlist of new browsers included in the App Store so far. Expect others (ahem, FireFox, is Fennec coming!???) to hit the App Store soon.

Browse on, iPhone lovers… Browse on.

[Via: MobileCrunch]

About The Author

James Falconer

James was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada. Almost 15 years ago he started out in the 'real world' as a web and graphic designer. Through the years he has finely tuned his skills in SEO, internet marketing, conversion strategy, and project management. To date, he runs his own successful consulting business where he advises companies all over the globe. A co-founder of www.crackberry.com, and sole proprietor of www.mactropolis.com, James in recent years has become very active in the tech blogosphere. Online community building and strategy is fast becoming one of his passions. Watch for James' no frills attitude, unique perspective and to-the-point comments here on IntoMobile!

  • SkratchBoard.com

    It’s funny that Research In Motion just got into the flip phone game a while back as flip phones went out of style. We were at CES last week, and there were tons of excitement and people crowding over all of the BlackBerry phones, except for the BlackBerry Pearl Flip.

    Perhpas the Asian market will be a little different, but I doubt RIM will hit it big with its Flip. They would be better off improving the Storm.