An update to Tapbots’ handy iPhone and iPod touch conversion app, Convertbot, has been rejected because the icon they had been using for “Time” too closely resembles Apple’s own built-in “Recent” icon.
It’s understandable that Apple doesn’t want to confuse their users with icons that resemble each other but serve different purposes, although I doubt many users would be confused in this specific instance. The bigger issues here are the blatant inconsistencies and lack of communication.
The only way for Tapbots to find out what is an acceptable replacement icon is to resubmit the app. Apple doesn’t provide any guidelines for what would be an acceptable replacement, so precious time must be wasted in order to find out, and the app could still possibly be rejected if they didn’t guess correctly. The other issue is that this same “Time” icon was included in the very first release of the app, which obviously means that all of those previous App Store reviewers somehow missed it.
This definitely doesn’t take the cake as the worst rejection in App Store history, but it does prove once again how much work needs to be done to fix the approval process.
This did leave me wondering, however. What would be an acceptable replacement icon? Could the developer just change the hands on the clock? Or would it have to be an entirely different icon, something like a stopwatch or an hourglass?
Making the time 9:15 with pointy arms should help.
no it wouldn’t. making it 9:15 would look ridiculous. They’ve used the universal symbol for a clock/time and Apple just needs to get some sense and quit rejecting apps for stupid ass reasons.
Apple is now claiming the universal indicator for time is theirs and theirs alone?
Effing priceless
I’ve certainly acknowledged the issues surrounding the App Store but try to be as ‘open minded’ as possible. However, Xultar had my exact thought. The clock symbol or otherwise depiction of an analog clock is somehow Apple’s creation and sole decision on use? That’s truly ’stepping over the line’. Really!?! Wait until they try and use a digital clock as the icon. OOPS! You can’t use that, we’ve used that already.
Confusion is an understandable concern but that’s not Apple’s problem in this case. This isn’t their app and people know this. If not, they’ll learn quite quickly that it doesn’t provide the same function as Apple designates it. It’s extremely minor from my perspective.
“This isn’t their app and people know this.”
yet somehow you think google voice is their app and/or people are too dumb to realize that an app called “google voice” is not their app? enough with the dumbass apple praising and defending and just admit already that apple has no idea wtf they are doing with the approval process. There is absolutely no benefit for anyone if people continue to defend them for their stupidity.
A little different situation.
Apple didn’t ask Google to change an icon ( that Apple also uses ). Though, I feel this particular icon is a little too universal for Apple to gripe about. I’m not going to go into this whole Google Voice situation again but suffice it to say that while Apple has put some PR ’spin’ on their FCC response ( not unlike most other company public responses ) public letter, I do feel that Apple is indeed trying to work with Google to get Google Voice on the iPhone if reasonably possible.
Quite frankly…. You, me, and anyone else outside of Google and Apple have insufficient information about the app, etc to start crying “BULL$H!T.” It’s purely speculation about Apple’s explanation and possibly misdirected anger.
We are all aware that Apple is still adjusting the App Store processes and a certain amount of understanding is necessary. Once again, you, me, and most others have no idea of the full information and are only speculating based on the information we do know. It’s ignorant to just assume that piece of the puzzle that we know nothing of is insignificant.