Apple pulling Wi-Fi hotspot detectors from App Store?
updated 11:00 am EST, Thu March 4, 2010
Linked to use of 'private frameworks'
A number of apps used to detect Wi-Fi hotspots have disappeared from the App Store, accounts say. In particular the affected titles are said to be a small group which actively scan for hotspots, such as WiFi Where. Still available on the store are more passive apps, which combine databases with GPS location information. Little explanation has been offered by Apple except that the active apps use "private frameworks" for wireless that violate App Store rules.
The move could suggest that Apple is in the middle of a significant sweep operation at the App Store, removing whole sections of content it deems inappropriate. The company just recently purged thousands of "overtly sexual" apps, while leaving those created by wealthier and/or more influential publishers. Critics charge that many App Store rules are arbitrary, and can have a serious impact on developers, who may suddenly find themselves without income when previously available apps are banned.
Would Not Be Happy
03/04, 11:35am reply
I'm looking at getting an iPad/iPT to sniff WiFi networks where I work. If they pull this whole class I would have lost one of the major justifications I have for getting one.
Geoduck
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2010
Need a Wi-Fi Sniffer???
03/04, 12:39pm (1 reply) reply
There's NO App for that!
Evil Steve says you don't need one.
BAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAAAA.
How is it like being an iPhone user? Do you like the feeling of being treated like a child? Being spoon-fed and told what to do. And if you're bad, iPapa Steve takes it away. Zucks to be you.
But oh, iForgot. It's all about the 'User Experience'. Isn't it?
wrenchy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2009
eWifi also AWOL
03/04, 01:09pm reply
That was a really great app. Apparently someone at Apple got a security bug up their butt about live scanners, since there's wifi catalogs still available.
Zaren
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
not the first time
03/04, 01:19pm reply
Other removals of wi-fi detecting apps has happened before for using private frameworks.
double-checking a couple I have on my iPhone, it does appear that WifiTrak has been pulled.
I thought that they had worked around the private framework issue, but it would appear that they were still doing something they should have ;)
bdmarsh
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
Curious
03/04, 01:24pm (1 reply) reply
This is not to downplay the removal of the apps. This is an hoest question.. What exactly do you need a wifi sniffer for? Both the iPad and iPhone can "sniff" for wifi networks and tell if they are locked or not.. Why would you need something from a third party?
eldarkus
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2004
re: Curious
03/04, 02:21pm reply
Channel & strength information is very useful when setting up a new router. This is one of the things I do like about the iPhone, that I can just fire up an app to get these specifics. I can then find an unused (or lesser used) channel, to help router performance within a house or apartment.
bdmarsh
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
Well that explains it
03/04, 02:28pm reply
that explains what happens to the app I bought that checked what was on my network. Do you think Apple is g oing to refund my $2 dollars? Or even the $1.50 that's there's to keep"?
ggirton
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Hey Boys,
03/04, 03:59pm reply
Honest question. Isn't Apple encouraging jailbreaking and the use of 'Unauthorized' software when they pull useful apps like this?
wrenchy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2009
This is different.
03/04, 04:53pm reply
This is different from the "sexual apps" being pulled. That decision was seemingly arbitrary, because it seemed to be "tolerated" by Apple for a while until they got too many complaints.
I don't feel sorry for the WiFi scanner developers because they used a private API Framework in their apps and the iPhone SDK terms explicitly prohibit application developers from using private APIs.
That some slipped through the cracks doesn't surprise me, but developers shouldn't get all hurt over being called out for DELIBERATELY doing something that they had been told was not allowed.
Person Man
Professional Poster
Joined: Jun 2001
valid business app
03/04, 07:07pm reply
I use wifi scanners to obtain mac addresses of rogue ap's in my environment. I purchased wifitrak for that very reason. If I can use a wifi scanner on my macbook pro, what is the VALID reason I can't have one on my iPhone?
namenotfound
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2010