TapTapTap - Violated ToS but didn't get account terminated

inwhatworld · 08-12-2010, 09:33 AM

I thought that if developers violated the ToS that the entire developer account would be terminated, not just an application pulled. I remember that iHustle Apps got their entire catalog of apps and their account terminated for sneaking features in.

Apple Pulls Camera+ From The App Store After Its Developers Reveal A Contraband Feature

Rudy · 08-12-2010, 11:13 AM

I guess it's a perk that you get when you're such a big player on the AppStore

bignoggins · 08-12-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy

I guess it's a perk that you get when you're such a big player on the AppStore

They were #3 when they got pulled. They must be losing 15K a day. OUCH!

What a dumb dumb move on their part. Probably one of the worst decisions I've seen an established iphone company make.

Rudy · 08-12-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybao

They were #3 when they got pulled. They must be losing 15K a day. OUCH!

What a dumb dumb move on their part. Probably one of the worst decisions I've seen an established iphone company make.

+1 they should have submitted the update with the feature added as an easter egg (like they did) but document it in the comment section so the reviewer could see it (that MIGHT have been accepted because it wouldn't confuse most users).

But Apple does say that any Easter Egg should be documented to the testers....so stupid move on their part

WRXFlyer · 08-12-2010, 12:11 PM

I'll be the odd man out and say it was a smart move. Their app (sans shutter) will be back on the App Store in a matter of a day or two max and the added publicity they received will more than make up for the revenue lost for those two days.

bignoggins · 08-12-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRXFlyer

I'll be the odd man out and say it was a smart move. Their app (sans shutter) will be back on the App Store in a matter of a day or two max and the added publicity they received will more than make up for the revenue lost for those two days.

Really? They hit top 3 in the app store. How much more higher could they go? They are bleeding money from this.

WRXFlyer · 08-12-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybao

Really? They hit top 3 in the app store. How much more higher could they go? They are bleeding money from this.

Well, #1 and #2 of course. And their other apps will probably also benefit from the exposure. Also, the #3 spot probably came directly from the news about the easter egg itself.

bignoggins · 08-12-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRXFlyer

Well, #1 and #2 of course. And their other apps will probably also benefit from the exposure. Also, the #3 spot probably came directly from the news about the easter egg itself.

Hmm I dunno I'm skeptical. And who says they won't receive a ban from this?

TunaNugget · 08-12-2010, 01:00 PM

Even if they come back next week, they're losing ranking. The publicity couldn't possibly be worth it; it was a boneheaded move.

Rudy · 08-12-2010, 01:37 PM

I have to agree with mightybao, in the end I think they'll LOSE ranking and not the other way around.

BillSmith · 08-12-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy

I guess it's a perk that you get when you're such a big player on the AppStore

It will stay out of the AppStore at least for 2 weeks. that's 15K*14 == Bad Move.

WRXFlyer · 08-12-2010, 02:12 PM

No way will it be out for two weeks. The big guys always get preferential treatment when it comes to things like this. They'll be back before you know it.

BillSmith · 08-12-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRXFlyer

No way will it be out for two weeks. The big guys always get preferential treatment when it comes to things like this. They'll be back before you know it.

OK. Lets bet. Any one else want to bet?
If it is out for two weeks, Big Guy = Independent developer
If it is out for less than two weeks, Big Guy != Independent developer

Is it possible to put a poll Big Guy vs Independent Developer in this thread

If it is out for at least two weeks then Apple treat Big Guy the same as Independent developer. So, this will be a test case for it.

Rudy · 08-12-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSmith

OK. Lets bet. Any one else want to bet?
If it is out for two weeks, Big Guy = Independent developer
If it is out for less than two weeks, Big Guy != Independent developer

Is it possible to put a poll Big Guy vs Independent Developer in this thread

If it is out for at least two weeks then Apple treat Big Guy the same as Independent developer. So, this will be a test case for it.

Actually I'd change it to:

If it is out for one week, Big Guy = Independent developer
If it is out for less than one week, Big Guy != Independent developer

BillSmith · 08-12-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy

Actually I'd change it to:

If it is out for one week, Big Guy = Independent developer
If it is out for less than one week, Big Guy != Independent developer

Are you a friend of TapTapTap? One week the is too fast. I think Independent developer will not be approved in a week time. May be I am wrong, I will let other Independent developer to chimp in

WRXFlyer · 08-12-2010, 03:10 PM

Average turnaround is 7-8 days right now. (I thought we were all developers here)

Rudy · 08-12-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSmith

Are you a friend of TapTapTap? One week the is too fast. I think Independent developer will not be approved in a week time. May be I am wrong, I will let other Independent developer to chimp in

No but I can only remember once or twice that my app took longer than 7 days

vigu360 · 08-12-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy

No but I can only remember once or twice that my app took longer than 7 days

This is where expedited review kicks is... They will be back in 3 days.

BillSmith · 08-12-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vigu360

This is where expedited review kicks is... They will be back in 3 days.

It that's the case, this will be the best marketing technique to boost sales

bignoggins · 08-12-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSmith

It that's the case, this will be the best marketing technique to boost sales

the only ones who care about this are devs. I guarantee you that the average joe does NOT know about this.

BillSmith · 08-12-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybao

the only ones who care about this are devs. I guarantee you that the average joe does NOT know about this.

Try to google "taptaptap" in google news, you will see, PC World, BBC, WallStreet,Gizmodo,GadgetReview,NetworkWorld,Montl eyFool,InvestorChronicle,DenverPost cover the story of TapTapTap hiding hidden feature.

Base on the coverage I think the average joe will know about it not only developer. This does not mean that I agree with the method of TapTapTap hiding their hidden feature. It just mean, they might plan this early on for marketing purpose.

bignoggins · 08-12-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSmith

Try to google "taptaptap" in google news, you will see, PC World, BBC, WallStreet,Gizmodo,GadgetReview,NetworkWorld,Montl eyFool,InvestorChronicle,DenverPost cover the story of TapTapTap hiding hidden feature.

Base on the coverage I think the average joe will know about it not only developer. This does not mean that I agree with the method of TapTapTap hiding their hidden feature. It just mean, they might plan this early on for marketing purpose.

Just because it's in the news doesn't mean anyone really cares =)

BillSmith · 08-12-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybao

Just because it's in the news doesn't mean anyone really cares =)

That's correct. Not too many people will care but at least some will read about it. Same as if you try to do marketing in Google Adsense or Newspaper. Are you able to get the same wide coverage as TapTapTap and covered by big media. I think even I pay $20,000 to BBC to post an article about my app, I think they will not just accept it blindly. Or may be they will take my money and post the article in the back burner where not too many pay attention. Or may be, I don't have $20,000 to throw away.

georgeburns · 08-15-2010, 01:29 PM

I think they only pulled the one app, because they didn't try to hide the feature. They didn't necessarily "sneak it in". The reviewer didn't notice or didn't know it wasn't cool. I feel sorry for that guy. It's not like that flashlight tethering app that had a secret button code to activate tethering.

hackmods · 08-15-2010, 01:58 PM

You dont always get your acount terminated.

I had 2 Cease and desists and took apps down ands nothing bad happened yet.

[knock on wood]