Over 10M App Store downloads; devs cheating?
updated 10:15 am EDT, Mon July 14, 2008
10M+ iPhone apps; cheating
Over 10 million downloads have been made from the newly-launched iTunes App Store, according to Apple. The company also notes that the amount of software has already increased since the store's Thursday debut, from approximately 500 apps to over 800. Of these, some 90 percent are said to be less than $10, including 200 free ones like AIM and Remote. The company has not so far identified how many downloads to date have been of free software, or what categories are the most popular.
Reports meanwhile suggest that some developers are deliberately altering the names of applications to gain rank at the App Store. By placing a space or a symbol such as a quotation mark in front their title, it is believed that companies can force apps to the front of the alphabetical listings, increasing visibility. One of the worst offenders is said to be Jirbo, whose Jirbo Break and Jirbo Avatar are even listed ahead of titles like 105 Classics and AIM.
OMG!
07/14, 10:34am reply
People setting the name of their product to appear ahead of others? Say it isn't so.
Next thing you know, companies will start calling themselves AAAA House Painting so they'll appear at the top of a yellow pages listing.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Ridiculous
07/14, 10:53am reply
That is so not the Apple way. It's not making it easy for users at all.
If people want to look for an app that starts with J and don't know the full name, people will look between I and K, they shouldn't have to look at anything before A!
longzero
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2008
Re: ridiculous
07/14, 10:58am reply
And if you're looking for J and can't find it, then you won't buy their products (like anyone would be looking for their products specifically to begin with).
The spacing is used to get them to the top of the list of apps, people see what's on top, and buy.
But don't say this isn't the "Apple Way". This was the Apple way in order to organize one's Apple Menu in OS 7/8/9. This is the way to order a folder of items, esp. a folder of folders.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
simple fix
07/14, 10:59am (1 reply) reply
Why do they not just strip off leading and trailing spaces (along with any "illegal" characters) when writing the data?
Not exactly rocket science... and generally good practice to boot.
lockhartt
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2000
eBooks listings ...
07/14, 11:38am reply
The worst is the eBooks that are piling up. They need their separate category, and are currently listed under "Entertainment". I email Apple, but as usual .. no service. Someone please get to them before there is 1000's of eBooks ( with BS logos ) taking up the same space as apps ....
automorrow
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2000
not to mention
07/14, 11:46am reply
..not to mention the incredible amount of BS reviews, obviously entered by the developer or friends of the developer..
ccrider
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2001
Kick em off
07/14, 02:03pm reply
I'd say it's time to give them the boot!
sixcolors
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2001
BS reviews
07/14, 02:29pm reply
or the people who are panning an app who have never even tried it. I saw all sorts of BS reviews where the people admitted to not even downloading it.
chadpengar
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2001
cheating?
07/14, 04:40pm reply
Not exactly the right word, unless Apple specifically prohibits developers from altering/manipulating names in order to gain a higher ranking.
More like, exploiting a loophole, and while it seems unfair, it's no more cheating than basketball players who foul Shaq, knowing that after over 20 years playing college and pro ball he can't shoot better than 50% FT to save his life (or the game).
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Fixed
07/14, 05:30pm reply
I just did the "browse" feature in iTunes, and sorted all by name, and they all seem to be alphabetical no matter how many spaces are before the actual name.
MichaelNH
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2002