App Rejected: Doesn't take advantage of iOS6 APIs

Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#1

Apple rejected my app because it doesn’t take advantage of the newest iOS6 APIs. They told me that:

“This app would have been fine 2 years ago, maybe even one year ago. Now there’s iOS6 and we are looking to the developer community to demonstrate integration with the 1000s of APIs that iOS6 offers.”

They’re essentially referring to this page:
https://developer.apple.com/technologies/ios6/

But with Corona, I don’t think I have access to many of the iOS6 specific APIs. For example, I can’t access Passbook or Reminders at all, and I’m not sure, but I don’t think I can access the iOS6 specific stuff from much of the other APIs. Is this true? Does anyone have any suggestions? [import]uid: 87249 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 335615[/import]

#2

oh god, why did Apple reject your app?!?!? It’s a stupid reason!! [import]uid: 63063 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141584[/import]

#3

Hmmm… interesting.

Does your app have any of the following (whether or not it is iOS 6 specific)?

*Connect with Facebook feature
*Game Center
*In-App Purchase

I’m curious, because I have the three listed above, but no other. I wonder if not having Maps, Passbook, Reminders, Camera or WebKit & Safari with some iOS6 specific feature in my app would cause the app to be rejected.

I find it hard to believe that Apple would reject an app just because it does not include everything that is listed on the page…

Naomi

Edit: I also integrated Push Notification. I wonder if that helps… Not sure if it would fall under any of the categories posted on the page, though… [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141585[/import]

#4

I do not think they can force us to integrate EVERY feature**! So I think having Game Center or Facebook/Twitter should be enough. At least for me it is since my Space Command paid was accepted with those features alone. I should not talk to fast since I am still waiting for my Space Command Free which was sent the same day. Crossing my fingers!

Mo

** Of course they could but that would be the end of the App Store!!

EDIT: Just use the GGlibs. They are super easy to implement and it will save you a TONS of time! [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141596[/import]

#5

Curious, what does your app do?

Nail [import]uid: 106779 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141597[/import]

#6

+1 that could tell us what maybe the issue… [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141599[/import]

#7

You could just resubmit it and see if the next reviewer approves it. Some of them are just not so nice. :slight_smile: [import]uid: 17827 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141618[/import]

#8

Also definitely a weird answer from Apple… “This app would have been fine 2 years ago, maybe even one year ago” ?
“Maybe”? …honestly doesn’t sound very professional if it’s coming from Apple.

sjerrett, could you give us more info about the app (what it does, etc etc)?
I’m very curious… [import]uid: 9158 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141620[/import]

#9

Yes,
From someone who is just about to send a game to them - i would be very interested in more details - as my game is a stand alone type - no web connection needed - no social media tie ins.
Very simple concept really - so you got me worried.

Are you sure your friends aren’t joking with you - check the address the email came from - maybe they mocked up an Apple typeish email to play a joke on you.
T. [import]uid: 199068 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141625[/import]

#10

Is that *really* a reply from Apple?
I can’t believe that they would reject an app on those grounds…especially the wording is very unprofessional. [import]uid: 70847 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141643[/import]

#11

>I can’t believe that they would reject an app on those grounds

Nobody can’t in fact :slight_smile: [import]uid: 12704 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141654[/import]

#12

So if I produce a non competitive, paid game aiming at small children that are not expected to have a facebook account, then the app would be rejected? That would be a judgement on both design and target market, but not on quality. Other examples: an app that lets you safely trade securities on-line (or access your bank accounts); an app that scans and stores QR codes; the Financial Times app.

Either Apple is running out of server space (= indies, we are doomed) or there is more to it.

It would be interesting to know what your app does. [import]uid: 159908 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141671[/import]

#13

@paulo
IMO there’s no way this can be a genuine Apple reply. [import]uid: 70847 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141677[/import]

#14

CoronaLabs verification and comments would be appropriate. [import]uid: 6288 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141702[/import]

#15

This is a genuine Apple reply. I built the app for my client, which is a not-for-profit charitable organization. They provide a calendar of programs for personal and professional development and growth. The app is meant to complement their facility, by offering exclusive live journal content, information on their programs, but primarily, it is a meditation guide.

It was first rejected under guideline 2.12: “We found that your app provides a very limited amount of content.”

We suspected that Apple may have missed something, and so we appealed the decision. After appeal, they said the original decision stood. So we asked to speak with someone from Apple, and they had someone from the Resolution Center call us. That’s when we were told that it lacked iOS 6 features. Also FYI: They told us that the Resolution Center is like the legal justice system – they can’t make exceptions.

There are some tools within the app, but nothing that could really take advantage of Game Center (it simply isn’t a game). We have a link out to maps, since the Corona Map Kit doesn’t offer directions. There isn’t much to tweet about, or to post to Facebook from the app (there aren’t really social achievements). Reminders would work well – so would Calendar integration, but neither of these are available with Corona.

I really wish Corona’s maps could offer more – they told us that integration with the Map Kit would probably be enough. Probably. [import]uid: 87249 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141708[/import]

#16

@sjerrett, I wonder if you could add an IAP item for the non profit organization – a donation of some sort to support their charity? Just 99 cents for the donation, and perhaps you could show a badge on the screen of the users who donated? It can be a tiny badge, small enough to fit on some corner of the screen (if the screen real estate is tight.) And even if no one ever donates the money, the organization would not be in any way disappointed (because it did not expect to receive any via this app anyway.) Could there be any reason why the charitable organization cannot possibly offer a virtual item (like a badge of honor of some sort) to help their charity?

Naomi [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141735[/import]

#17

Apple won’t let you make charitable donations via an app:

  1. Charities and contributions

21.1 Apps that include the ability to make donations to recognized charitable organizations must be free
21.2 The collection of donations must be done via a web site in Safari or an SMS

And regardless, all IAP transactions go through the app store, meaning Apple takes a cut of every one.
[import]uid: 87249 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141747[/import]

#18

Hey, @sjerrett, I was just sharing a thought on how it might be possible to implement something that could get your app approved. The goal is not really about collecting donations (although I used the word) but rather about using IAP in some ways that may help your app approved – if the minimum requirement is to have one of the features that appears on the page you posted.

I wonder if charitable organization is prohibited from selling virtual item using IAP in some ways. If so, I suppose using IAP as a feature is not an option.

But if it is not legally or otherwise prohibited from selling a virtual item, like a badge, a flower, a ribbon, or whatever, that users can buy to decorate the app for their enjoyment, it may just do the job? No?

And if the charitable organization is legally allowed to sell virtual item, but does not wish to take any money generated by the app, perhaps it can donate any money they make from the app to some good cause they believe in. No?

Just trying to think of a workaround – especially since it sounds like your client is already happy with what you delivered so far. If adding one IAP feature could help you get the app approved, I thought it might be worth a thought. But perhaps the idea like this isn’t acceptable for your app? Maybe there’s no hope for your app with the current Corona – is that the conclusion you’ve come to?

Naomi
[import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141750[/import]

#19

I’d add a Facebook Share button to the app and possibly a scroll view to display some information.

Hope this helps,

Nail [import]uid: 106779 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141758[/import]

#20

How about push notification, with some sort of reminder sent from your server?

You might also want to vote for (and if not already there, add) the missing feature:

http://feedback.coronalabs.com/forums/188732-corona-sdk-feature-requests-feedback

Naomi [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141760[/import]