Poll: iPhone Adult Section

Do you think the Apple's "App Store" should have an "Adult" section?

  • Yes.

    Votes: 75 43.1%

  • No.

    Votes: 21 12.1%

  • Don't care.

    Votes: 78 44.8%
  • Total voters
    174

Marky

Marky

Marky

Soldato
Joined
16 Apr 2007
Posts
23,474
Location
UK
Hey all,

I've just read on the BBC News website that a lot of developers are angry at Apple for the recent pulling of the apps for the iPhone that contain "Adult Content". Let it also be known also that Apple have decided to keep some apps such as the "Playboy" app, due to the size of the company.

Some are asking for a seperate adult section on the Apple store - what are you thoughts on this and do you feel that maybe this is the time where further restrictions are made so that the under-age aren't seeing this sort of stuff?

Marky
 
The developer in the article is right, the apps should be rated and childrens accounts can be parentally locked if need be. It's been done in with movies and video games for years, now Apple needs to get it sorted in the App store.
Treating all of it's customers like children just to satisfy a few complainers and try to cover it's ass as a 'clean' brand is ridiculous.
Maybe even have an option to filter all sexual apps for normal adult users (as even though I'd still like to have access to all of these apps, I might not want them hogging the top 50 free slots when a lot of them are crap and only there because of the T&A).
 
I've no sympathy for them really, they chose to develop for the platform despite know the risks of app rejection and the arbitrary nature of apple's approval process. A few less 'comic' (I'm using that in the loosest possible way) apps and garbage like most of those chucked out would make the app store a better place anyway...
 
I seem to remember watching Top Gear which had Stephen Fry talking about a gay cruising program he had on his iPhone, I'm guessing that doesn't appear on the normal store? :D
 
Not to bothered if I'm honest. Though to be fair if they allow adult themed apps from Playboy etc they should allow them from all developers.

Banning apps isn't the answer as that hurts developer’s pockets and if Apple start changing rules overnight as to what is and what isn't acceptable Apple will start losing app developers.

The better solution would be to allow the apps on to the app store but expand the age certification and restrictions guidelines so parents can block access to adult themed apps with a password. This change can then be synced through iTunes and on the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad.

When it comes down to is the parents responsibility to set what is and isn’t acceptable for their children.
 
Stag said:
I seem to remember watching Top Gear which had Stephen Fry talking about a gay cruising program he had on his iPhone, I'm guessing that doesn't appear on the normal store? :D
Click to expand...

It does and I understand it's still there because it doesn't contain pictures of scantily clad bodies so isn't covered by this mass removal.
 
Personally I think Apple's control of what apps are approved on the appstore is detrimental to the platform. Anything that loosens that control I approve of.
 
If it's all shovelware crap then it should have its own section so it can be fenced off.
 
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The thing is, where do you draw the line on 'crap' apps? I haven't seen these apps tbh as I go for the other appstore 'variant', but tbh shouldn't every dev that paid for their SDK kits have a right to create an app of any kind as long as it abide's by the development 'rules'.

Tbh I believe that there should be an Adult section as mentioned, but I would rather not like to see the charts crammed full of apps pertaining to that section.

Tbh I would rather have the magic 'x megapixel' apps removed, it's just pathetic that those got through in the first place. The colossal influx of apps is just a prime example of an incredibly brilliant SDK, which imo no OS at present can match.
 
I think there should be an adult section purely because a lot of people have spent time and effort on designing their apps, no matter how crap they may be.

Apple chopping and changing the rules really isn't good enough to be honest. Give them their adult section, continue to monitor the apps and not let them get too out of hand. Don't let any apps there penetrate the chart lists for apps on the main page. Swinging wildly from one rule change to another based on a few complainers is not good business policy.
 
While I don't care about an Adult section, this has much wider implications.

For example if Apple wants to it can create a free navigation application (to compete with Google & Nokia) that's included with the iPhone. They can then just kick all the other companies off since it's "duplicating functionality". But wait! Not TomTom since they are so big.

I wish developers would wise up and get out of the App Store. If only because:

1. Large developers leave. Apple ignores it.
2. Lots of large developers leave. Consumers moan (in a very public way).
3. Apple gets in a PR mess
4. Apple changes the App Store rules
5. Apple begs developers to come back
6. All is well

Apple is a company that tries to get away with murder. And frequently does get away with it. If a PR storm is created (see $100 vouchers given after the $200 original iPhone price drop - after much complaining) then Apple go and do the right thing.
 
The massive success of the appstore (even though most of it is junk) is a testiment to Apple's SDK. Sadly it's success was always going to come back and bite them where it hurts. As Slogan said, you can't just change the rules on the fly.

Opera have already submitted erm Mobile Opera to Apple, most likely with the intention to create pressure on Apple more than anything. What worries me is that I have pretty much touted 2010 as the Mobile OS wars, and I am concerned that Apple's 'rules' will force developers elsewhere. Is an unmoderated platform a good thing though?
 
Fillado said:
For example if Apple wants to it can create a free navigation application (to compete with Google & Nokia) that's included with the iPhone. They can then just kick all the other companies off since it's "duplicating functionality". But wait! Not TomTom since they are so big.
Click to expand...

They had specified no turn-by-turn directions based on Google maps, but it's no suprise they allowed TomTom.. the public pretty much demanded that (along with copy & paste) in the early days.

As Slogan said.. they changed direction and bowed to public demand.

Kainz said:
Is an unmoderated platform a good thing though?
Click to expand...

No. Not with such a large userbase.

It would be a hackers dream if they could release a look-a-like app and steal personal data.

The point is Apple went in blind. They failed to define the rules of app submission at the beginning and it's come back to bite them on more than on occasion. Only this time they've made a big song and dance of things because they'd be "fine" with the booby bounce apps for months without question.

Personally, I couldn't care about looking at porn on the iPhone, but they need to sort something out regarding what's cool and what's not.

If anything they should start removing the guff before worrying about adding more. I'm looking at you Battery improvement apps :p
 
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EVH said:
They had specified no turn-by-turn directions based on Google maps, but it's no suprise they allowed TomTom.. the public pretty much demanded that (along with copy & paste) in the early days.

As Slogan said.. they changed direction and bowed to public demand.
Click to expand...

Oh they definitely wouldn't be able to do it based on Google Maps. They'd either have to buy their own mapping company or license it from somewhere. My point is that thanks to Google and Nokia especially it's a big feature missing now. And adds £60-£105 to the device depending where you drive.

An unmoderated platform is bad too. Trying to find applications for your phone in a pre-"application store" world was a royal pain.

What Apple need to do:

1. Define the rules, in stone, for the App Store. Whatever they are.
2. Open things up and allow people to install Apps without the App Store.


Numero Dos will never, ever, happen. Which is why my only interaction with the App Store is through a large pointy stick. So I can give it a poke every now-and-then to see if it has a pulse.
 
Just days after Apple removed over 5000 "overtly sexual" applications from the App Store, the company appears to have taken a curious turn that could result in the reinstatement of many of these applications.

Cult of Mac reports and MacRumors has confirmed that Apple has added a new "Explicit" category in the iTunes Connect system for App Store submissions. The category is included in drop-down menus that allow developers to select categories for their applications to be placed in, and appears alongside the traditional App Store categories such as "Books", "Entertainment", and "Games".
Click to expand...

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/02/24/apple-adds-explicit-category-for-new-app-store-submissions/

Funny how things turn around.
 
Stag said:
I seem to remember watching Top Gear which had Stephen Fry talking about a gay cruising program he had on his iPhone, I'm guessing that doesn't appear on the normal store? :D
Click to expand...

he has a few iphones if i remember and I think one of them is jailbroken, that app is also available in canada :D

he posted up what he takes with him on twitter & his blog a while ago
 
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