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I have to disagree in a very large way with two of the points this article makes. The first is that Apple is dissuading amateur developers by rejecting 'fart a

by rhooper 16y ago

I have to disagree in a very large way with two of the points this article makes. The first is that Apple is dissuading amateur developers by rejecting 'fart apps', in the metaphorical sense of instituting a qualitative standard. The App Store is flooded with mass-produced low-quality low-demand junk apps so that a coding sweatshop in east Asia can make a few bucks per app, times however many thousands they churn out. THEY are who will be rejected, rather than someone with a good, novel, new, or beneficial idea. Second is the thought that Google will solve the App Store's search and filtering issues. Has the author of this article used the Android Market? For being backed by the pinnacle of search providers, the Android Market's search and filtering capabilities are abysmal, and are actually outdone by small-time independent groups like AppBrain. Apple DOES have enough fart apps. Android does too. A human element needs to be involved in the screening process in a qualitative sense. Why are there hundreds, if not thousands, of single-use "sexy photo jigsaw puzzle" apps? What about "list of quotes" apps? The App Store is littered with garbage, and for the greater good, maybe there will be a few casualties, but that's the price of strengthening an emerging marketplace.

NickPollard 16y ago
There's an important point buried in here - AppBrain and similar is something that is allowed and encouraged on Android, whereas any app that duplicated or encroached upon market functionality would not be allowed on iOS. If AppBrain or similar takes off, Google can just buy them and roll it into Android - an easy win for them. By allowing others to come up with these systems, Google are effectively allowing Natural Selection to produce the best App search system.
krschultz 16y ago
Isn't it surprising that Android marketplace sucks too? I thought that would have been a point of pride for Google, but if anything it is worse than the iPhone. But if you think about it, there is little in common between web search and app search. App searching really boils down to correct descriptions and quality reviews. You aren't just trying to find AN app, you are trying to find a good app. How do you do that without links? Reviews can be gamed, ratings can be gamed. The only thing that is objective are sales/downloads. Which means blockbusters rise to the top and new apps are buried. It isn't an easy problem.
amirmc 16y ago
> The App Store is littered with garbage, and for the greater good, maybe there will be a few casualties, but that's the price of strengthening an emerging marketplace Do you imagine it staying this way or eventually opening up? The reason I'm asking are the parallels made w.r.t. the web in general. There's plenty of garbage out there too but I don't think anyone would argue that a 'curated' web would be better. I see the app store in the same light. If Apple want to check for malicious/incompetent code etc I can get behind that but if I want to put another fart app out there, why shouldn't I be able to? I doubt anyone would find it (or care) but getting hobby projects out into the open is part of the learning process to making something better next time.

by rhooper 16y ago

NickPollard 16y ago

There's an important point buried in here - AppBrain and similar is something that is allowed and encouraged on Android, whereas any app that duplicated or encroached upon market functionality would not be allowed on iOS. If AppBrain or similar takes off, Google can just buy them and roll it into Android - an easy win for them. By allowing others to come up with these systems, Google are effectively allowing Natural Selection to produce the best App search system.

krschultz 16y ago

Isn't it surprising that Android marketplace sucks too? I thought that would have been a point of pride for Google, but if anything it is worse than the iPhone. But if you think about it, there is little in common between web search and app search. App searching really boils down to correct descriptions and quality reviews. You aren't just trying to find AN app, you are trying to find a good app. How do you do that without links? Reviews can be gamed, ratings can be gamed. The only thing that is objective are sales/downloads. Which means blockbusters rise to the top and new apps are buried. It isn't an easy problem.

amirmc 16y ago

> The App Store is littered with garbage, and for the greater good, maybe there will be a few casualties, but that's the price of strengthening an emerging marketplace Do you imagine it staying this way or eventually opening up? The reason I'm asking are the parallels made w.r.t. the web in general. There's plenty of garbage out there too but I don't think anyone would argue that a 'curated' web would be better. I see the app store in the same light. If Apple want to check for malicious/incompetent code etc I can get behind that but if I want to put another fart app out there, why shouldn't I be able to? I doubt anyone would find it (or care) but getting hobby projects out into the open is part of the learning process to making something better next time.