App Rejected: Doesn't take advantage of iOS6 APIs

Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#21

In all honesty, just going by your description, it sounds like an app that they feel could be done with a web page and Safari. It doesn’t do anything that requires it be an app taking space in the store. Saying it uses no iOS 6 technologies I think is there way of saying, “we can’t even showcase it as an example of an app using iOS 6 features”.

This does seem to stem from all the integration you could do with iOS 6 is not available with Corona. If your doing apps like this I can see Corona Enterprise being of great value to you. [import]uid: 56820 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141762[/import]

#22

I know Apple has previously rejected apps that are too simple or are really just webpages and didn’t have any features that made it an “app”. I think perhaps saying “iOS 6 features” may really mean “iOS features”. Does it have any list views? Buttons, screens that flip (have some animation to them)? can you swipe to scroll the content (not a scroll view but go from story to story by swiping?)

Can you put up some screen shots some where for us to see or perhaps a YouTube video demoing the app? [import]uid: 199310 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141785[/import]

#23

Wow, Corona Enterprise might just be the ticket! I didn’t realize this was available. Thanks!

For now, I’m going to add some sort of FB/Twitter integration, and add a native map and see if that is enough. These features will really add little to function of this app, but what can you do? [import]uid: 87249 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 141985[/import]

#24

FWIW, I think that should get your app through. The Facebook and Twitter buttons could help promote your non-profit and be beneficial actually.

GL, Nail [import]uid: 106779 topic_id: 35615 reply_id: 142006[/import]

#25

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

#26

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]

#27

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]

#28

Curious, what does your app do?

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

#29

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

#30

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]

#31

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]

#32

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]

#33

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]

#34

>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]

#35

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]

#36

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

#37

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

#38

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]

#39

@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]

#40

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]