The dark side of Apple’s app store

The news is making some noise (PC World):

A new Podcasting application has been refused entry into the App Store because it “duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes,” […] The new application called Podcaster would allow users to download podcasts on their iPhone and listen to them at their leisure. The app also streams podcasts so you could listen to your favorite show anywhere you have an Internet or data connection.

This is what can happen when using/developing on close plateform… they decide! That sucks because this app was doing exactly what I was looking for. I’d love to hear podcast in the train but currently I do have to synch with my computer through a cable. I’d love to do it over the air without connecting to my computer.

From Wikipedia:

Applications that developers create will be sold exclusively through the iTunes Store on Mac and Windows, or on the App Store on the iPhone and iPod touch. […] To run applications on the iPhone, the application needs to be signed with a certificate assigned by Apple after the developer has developed the software through the $99/year developer package and official iPhone SDK.

Good point for Dave Winer (Why iPhone is an ureliable platform):

I wouldn’t invest in or develop an iPhone app because Apple could decide not to approve it, and if they don’t approve it you can’t sell it. You can’t even give it away. You don’t find out if you’ve been approved until the last step, after you’ve fully invested, so you could lose, totally, if Apple says no.

Another dark side of Apple’s app store… as far as I can tell I have not found one application that could not be done on another device.

Via Stef’s quepasa. See also: stevenf.com and App Store: I’m out.