Snubbed by Apple, Podcaster Developer Turns to ‘Ad Hoc’ Distribution
Podcaster is the latest app to fall afoul of Apple’s seemingly random process of approving and denying iPhone applications. Podcaster, an application for subscribing to, streaming and downloading podcasts directly to your iPhone and iPod Touch, has been denied a spot in the App Store. But the developer has decided to distribute it by any means available, which means you can grab a copy if you hurry.
The official Apple decision, sent to Podcaster creator Alex Sokirynsky, reads: “since Podcaster assists in the distribution of podcasts, it duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes.”
The only problem is that not competing with Apple isn’t one of the known restrictions for getting your app into the App Store, making Apple’s decision regarding Podcaster, entirely arbitrary.
In fact, Podcaster complies with all the known limitations imposed by the App Store. What’s more, as Sokirynsky points out, there are plenty of apps available that also compete with other Apple apps — all the calculators, alternate weather apps and so on — which Apple seems happy to distribute.
So why pick on Podcaster? Apple has refused to comment, but perhaps it simply cuts too close to iTunes, or perhaps it’s simply one rogue, over-zealous App Store employee.
Whatever the case, Sokirynsky isn’t taking the news lying down.
Instead he’s distributing Podcaster using the “Ad Hoc App Distribution” system as an alternate to the App Store. The iPhone Ad Hoc App Distribution system was intended as a way for IT departments to distribute iPhone apps from their company’s own servers, but it turns out it works (and seems to be legal) for other purposes as well.
The main drawback is that Podcaster is limited to the first 100 people Sokirynsky signs up. Worse, to shut it down, Apple can pull the plug on his AppleID.
Still we give Sokirynsky props for at least trying to get his app out there.
Installing Podcaster using the Ad Hoc system is a bit convoluted, but you can sign up at Sokirynsky’s new site, nextdayoff.com. From there you’ll receive an e-mail with a link to pay for ($10) and download the app. Then just follow the installation instructions provided. And note that you don’t need to jailbreak your iPhone.
Of course, Apple could shut down Podcaster at pretty much any time, so you may be throwing your money away. And that’s too bad because Podcaster offers perhaps the easiest and best way to subscribe to podcasts directly from your iPhone (well, the easiest once you have it installed anyway).
Hopefully at some point Apple will come to its senses and allow Podcaster a spot in the App Store.
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