Boo. Hiss. No Free 17+ Apps
Posted 07/19/2009 at 9:49pm
| by J Keirn-Swanson
While the app "Hottest Girls" stirred controversy about being the iTunes Store's first adults' only app, what came next shifted depending on who was telling it. At first,
the developer claimed the app's popularity forced them to suspend it due to server overload. Apple later shot down that story, announcing they yanked the app on their own after something of a
bait and switch from the developer.
Whichever the case, the app approval process still appears to be remarkably complicated to navigate. Especially if your app treads the more risque side of things.
And the latest news doesn't seem to promise a streamlined path for these more adult-themed apps or their developers.
Previously developers had the capability of making up to fifty promotional codes they could distribute once their app was approved. This allowed the developer to give away their apps in contests or to provide to reviewers for consideration. The free publicity can help nab a new app some attention so it doesn't get lost amid the 1.5 billion other downloads.
Not so fast, apps rated 17+.
Since these codes typically bypass the entire rating system question, according to one developer Apple has decided to block usage for promos in iTunes for apps of a more adult nature. This means developers will need to find some new path to get their creations into the hands of reviewers if they want that sweet bit of exposure. It's hard enough getting your app noticed among the 65,000 others; try doing it without any decent media exposure.
Whatever route developers use to get their products noticed or reward their customers, Apple certainly isn't making it any easier.
