A new Podcasting application has been refused entry into the App Store because it "duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes," according to a note the developer received from Apple.
The new application called Podcaster would allow users to download podcasts on their iPhone and listen to them at their leisure. The app also streams podcasts so you could listen to your favorite show anywhere you have an Internet or data connection.
Developers have voiced their frustration with the App Store before and asked the company to be more transparent on what it expects. Unfortunately, situations like this only seem deepen the frustration of developers.
The developer of Podcaster has contacted Apple to find out what he must do to have the app included in the store, so we'll keep you posted.
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Reprinted with permission from Macworld. Story copyright 2008 Macworld Inc. All rights reserved.
Comments
"situations like this only seem to deepen the frustration of developers."
Um, yeah, and of end-users who were more than ready to use this particular application.
This is a must-have app; why Apple denied it is beyond me. There is currently NO DUPLICATION of functionality between Podcaster and iTunes. Podcaster is UNTEATHERED WiFi downloading of podcasts; iTunes requires a USB umbilical to do the transfer. Podcaster works when I'm on the road, 2000 miles away from home. Try that with iTunes... . Smooth move, Apple.
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