Dear Apple: Just admit there is no one actually looking at iTunes apps before approving them
I’m as big a fan of the Pillsbury Doughboy as you’re likely to find (I have gaudy bright blue Doughboy pajama pants AND a Doughboy oven mitt) but somehow the new iPhone app WhooHoo brings me more sadness than joy.
From the app description:
“Remember when you were a little child, watching TV, and the famous Pillsbury commercials would come on the screen? Here is your chance to be the lucky person, with just the touch of a finger, to make the dough boy squeal with joy “WOO HOO!”
This is a simple entertainment application, that is fun for all ages! Just touch the little man’s belly, and instantly put a smile on your face. Impress your friends, co-workers, and even your parents!”
Now, as I said, I am a big fan of the Doughboy, but there appears to be 3 things wrong with this app. First, I don’t know for sure, but I am assuming Griffin Landa, creator of WooHoo did not get permission from Pillsbury before making the app (I attempted to contact Landa to verify, but his website does not appear to exist). Second, he is charging $0.99 for the app, thus making money off selling a company’s trademarked character (If this app lasts more than a couple days, look for my upcoming “Where’s the Beef” app). I admit I was a big fan of PhoneSaber (another unlicensed app) but at least PhoneSaber’s developers released their app for free, simply as a tribute to the films they loved, and did not attempt to cash in on another company’s property (and they put some effort into it). Thirdly, the biggest travesty of all is… it was APPROVED!
The fact that this app got through Apple’s “rigorous” approval process that was able to weed out tethering and farting applications for the iPhone is laughable. Apple must know full well that Pillsbury will demand this app be taken down by week’s end, yet they gave it the green stamp anyway. Would they care if Pillsbury started selling iPod-shaped crescent rolls? I’m guessing yes. (By the way, I would totally buy those).
Good eye, Doc. That’s absolutely ridiculous. Apple needs to reinvent their process for approving apps. Trash like this becomes a negative experience for everyone involved:
– a sea of this junk makes it harder for iPhone users to find quality apps
– it makes it harder for developers who actually produce quality work to get noticed and therefore supported
– it wastes the time of trademark owners who have to spend legal fees on getting the violator’s work removed
Griffin Landa: you are a DB.
I…want…to…kill…myself…
Does his belly at least dimple in when touched? It better!
John, I am dying to know that too, but I refuse to give them my $0.99.
-The Doc
If you think that’s bad, someone is selling one of Apple’s own developer example apps for $0.99:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=293200040&mt=8
It’s not the first time this has happened.
If it’s shaped like an iPod, would it still be a “crescent” roll?
I think the name of the roll has just as much to do with the contents as it does the shape.
Flaky goodness!
Sure, this app seems like a terrible idea, but I am loathe to ask Apple to reject *more* apps. No, I lay the blame squarely on Griffin Landa (and corner on a murky App Store approval process).