08/08/2008, 12:05pm, EDT
Friday, August 8th
Apple pulls $1,000 app from App Store
An infamous application has become the latest title to be pulled from the App Store despite earlier approval by Apple, writes the LA Times. I Am Rich, which was priced at $1,000 but did nothing except display a glowing gem, has been removed from listings after only a day of availability. The app's creator, Armin Heinrich, claims his work does not violate Apple's terms of service, and that he has not been given an official reason for the takedown.
Before it disappeared the software was bought by just eight people, including six in the US, one in Germany and another in France. It generated $5,600 in revenue for Heinrich, and $2,400 for Apple, but may have been removed due to the possibility of customers accidentally spending money on it.
"I saw this app with a few friends and we jokingly clicked 'buy' thinking it was a joke, to see what would happen," read one review of I Am Rich. "THIS IS NO JOKE...DO NOT BUY THIS APP AND APPLE PLEASE REMOVE THIS FROM THE APP STORE."
Some developers have complained about the restrictiveness of Apple's iPhone development terms, which even technically prevent coders from sharing tips via forums or e-mail. The company has also pulled two other apps, BoxOffice and NetShare, without offering an explanation as to why.
Filed under: iPhone, software, iPhone apps, Apple
Other story tags: App Store
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Huh?
"...he has not been given an official reason for the takedown."
Really? Creating a useless app that costs $1000 isn't a good enough reason? The fact that it actually made money is astonishing. I wonder if the author will actually receive the money, considering the CC companies will more than likely override the transactions when asked.
You were warned...
All the malcontents were crying for an open iPhone and lambasting Apple for keeping a tight lid on the device. Well, be careful what you ask for. You might just get it. Oh wait, you did get it... in the gonads. Just wait until some app appears for sale that steals your identity and wipes out your bank account before it's taken down. Oops! Sorry.
WOW people are stupid
"I saw this app with a few friends and we jokingly clicked 'buy' thinking it was a joke, to see what would happen," read one review of I Am Rich. "THIS IS NO JOKE...DO NOT BUY THIS APP AND APPLE PLEASE REMOVE THIS FROM THE APP STORE."
Jezz, if its listed for a price, and you click buy, expect to pay for it. My god only a idiot would think its a joke.
Where was Apple on this?
Wasn't the whole idea of the app store that Apple was going to carefully control what was on there? How did this make it past QC? I'm starting to get the feeling that the whole idea of app store "protecting" the iPhone user is BS. They're shoveling these apps through as quickly as they can to turn a buck. If Apple is going to claim that you can trust the apps in the app store because Apple is looking out for the end-user, they better mean it.
What's the reason?
I have yet to hear (read) a valid argument for pulling this app. It didn't violate any of Apple's offical restrictions. It doesn't harm the operation of the phone; it doesn't harm the privacty of user and his/her data. It doesn't in fact do anything. If you took the time to read the text that accompanied the AppStore page for this application, you would have found the following:
I Am Rich
Armin Heinrich
(two out of five stars, from 275 reviewers)
Price: $999.99
Art & Livestyle (sic) - not for everyone
The red icon on your iPhone or iPod touch always reminds you (and othes when you show it to them) that you were able to afford this.
It's a work of art with no hidden function at all.
After pressing the (i) on the main page, a secred mantra will be shown. This may help you to to (sic) stay rich, healthy and successful.
If it's to (sic) expensive for you - check out my other apps - they are all much cheaper.
Besides somewhat poor English (author is a non-native speaker), the description says exactly what the application does. There is nothing offensive or deceptive about it.
Can we have some valid arguments now for pulling this app?
We now know...
There are at least 8 stupid people in the world. Look out, Darwin's coming and he's got your name...
Who decides value/worth?
I'd be surprised if Apple pulled it simply because they thought it was too expensive for the function it performs. If they did, they certainly couldn't admit it as that would set a nasty precedent - who decides whether an application is worth the price asked of it?
I don't get it...
If you are stupid or rich enough to buy this app, why should Apple tell you how do you have to spend your money or why should Apple be taking care of your stupidity?. As an adult, you just don't buy the app or, if you buy it, you face the consequences of your own behavior.
Re: huh
Really? Creating a useless app that costs $1000 isn't a good enough reason?
He wasn't given ANY reason, not even a reason such as "It is useless, go away!".
But isn't apple supposed to be checking into these things before they are posted?
The fact that it actually made money is astonishing. I wonder if the author will actually receive the money, considering the CC companies will more than likely override the transactions when asked.
If anyone purchased the product, he should receive the money. You could try to call the credit card companies to reject the charges, but they'll want a better excuse than "Well, I don't think it is worth the money I paid". There is no fraud involved here.
Is this a cliche?
Armin Heinrich's not an English speaker? Where is he from?