by Jason Snell
This week’s baffling app rejection: Transmit for iOS 1.1.1
The lovely Cabel Sasser of Panic:
At Apple’s request, we had to remove the ability to “Send” files to other services, including iCloud Drive. In short, we’re told that while Transmit iOS can download content from iCloud Drive, we cannot upload content to iCloud Drive unless the content was created in the app itself. Apple says this use would violate 2.23 — “Apps must follow the iOS Data Storage Guidelines or they will be rejected” — but oddly that page says nothing about iCloud Drive or appropriate uses for iCloud Drive.
As with the PCalc widget controversy—which recently reran as the Drafts widget controversy—the issue here isn’t that Apple is rejecting apps. Apple can make any App Store policies it wants.
The issue is that nobody (except perhaps someone at Apple) seems to understand what the rules are regarding what apps can and can’t do. Maybe it’s time for a clear rewrite of the App Store guidelines, or even—dare I suggest it?—a blog where Apple can communicate with its developers about where it’s drawing the rules for new technologies such as iCloud Drive and Notification Center widgets?
Because right now, developers are reluctant to work to support new Apple features, because of the high risk of rejection. That’s bad for Apple, the platform, and the users, too.