Katie MarsalAccording to the development studio Three Jacks Software, Apple removed its application, called "WiFi-Where," due to its alleged use of unpublished APIs within the iPhone OS software development kit. The developer noted that other applications, including WifiTrak, WiFiFoFum, yFy Network Finder, WiFi Get, eWifi, and WiFi Analyzer were also removed.
"I find it quite ironic that Apple removes these very handy, very useful apps from the app store when there are so many useless gimick apps that just pollute the App Store pages," the developer wrote.
Three Jacks Software said it will re-release its application for jailbroken iPhones via the Cydia installer. Jailbreaking is a practice that circumvents the iPhone OS and allows users to run unauthorized code on their iPhone or iPod touch.
In addition, earlier this week, CrunchGear reported on a developer that created an application that simply made the iPhone quack like a duck. The software was denied from the App Store by Apple due to the fact that it "contains minimal user functionality."
Apple of late has made an attempt to clean up the App Store, beginning last month with a change in policy on "overtly sexual content." More than 5,000 applications were removed and the widespread banishment even mistakenly removed at least one application that sold swimwear, though Apple later corrected the error.
Not long after the App Store opened in 2008, a number of crude burping and farting applications were released and found moderate success, but also resulted in criticism of the level of quality of the software available in the App Store.
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Apple this week has continued its crackdown against what it feels are substandard applications in its App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch, this time removing Wi-Fi scanners and software it said has "minimum user functionality."
I'm guessing this doesn't bode well for "Don't Kill the Puppy", a free app that my kid loves.
Oh, well.
I use WiFiFiFum daily... it's pretty good to monitoring which channels are sturated etc and where WiFi hotspots are so you can move closer if necessary.
What a strange move...
Apple this week has continued its crackdown against what it feels are substandard applications in its App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch, this time removing Wi-Fi scanners and software it said has "minimum user functionality."
Apple of late has made an attempt to clean up the App Store, beginning last month.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
While I do see a WiFi Scanner useful, let's be honest, the App Store is littered with crap apps that make it difficult to find the really well written, useful, and innovative ones.
The App Store starts sliding downhill in it's usefulness when iPhone owners are overwhelmed with silly apps. Of course, some nut job in CA will decide this infringes on his/her free speech and sue Apple, but that's another post.
i hope not ewifi
i use that all the time when i'm out, gives mac address, very helpful
My 2 year old little girl loves an app that makes the phone Quack like a duck when you shake it.
Apple is definitely crossing the line into full-blown censorship. I've been an Apple consumer for quite a long time but this is really starting to give me the creeps.