Apple’s attitude towards more risque iPhone app in the AppStore has caused a bit of confusion (not to mention frustration) among iPhone app developers. As it stands, Apple continues to waver on just how to deal with suggestive themes like bikinis and boobs with their apps. Following on the removal of over 5,000 iPhone apps deemed “overtly sexual” from the AppStore, devs stumbled upon a new “Explicit” category in the iTunes Connect platform that’s used for AppStore submissions. That category was short-lived, and has since been removed from the AppStore submission system.
We have no idea why Apple let that category slip into the wild for such a short period, but our bet is on someone at Apple accidentally scratching their itchy trigger finger. As far as Apple is concerned, one developer has learned that Apple is considering the addition of an “explicit” AppStore category, but that “it’s not going to happen anytime soon.”
It seems Apple is, at best, wavering on their vision for the AppStore. At worst, Apple’s vision is a downright contradiction. The iPhone maker’s move to clean up the AppStore and turn it into a wholesome family-oriented marketplace where suggestive themes like babes in bikinis and jiggly boobs aren’t tolerated is at odds with the rest of the iTunes store. You can find explicit movies and music strewn throughout the rest of the iTunes Store. But, when it comes to the AppStore, Apple is trying to run a tight ship free of this taboo idea we refer to as “sex.”
On the other hand, this is Apple’s business and nobody has any right to tell Apple how to make money. Sure, the company’s policies aren’t frustrating, but if Steve Jobs wants to contradict himself on the AppStore, more power to him.
Let’s see how far this ship can sail before running aground on the consumer backlash sandbar.
[Via: MacRumors]