The Curious Case Of The Missing App Developer
October 25, 2010
There are quite a few PDF inspired apps currently available in the App Store for the iPad. However, the most curious of them is Flow - The PDF Reader. However, this story has less to do with the app itself than that it was approved by Apple in the first place.
First of all, know that we did not attempt to download this app. Typically, sites like AppAdvice contact an app’s developer first and from there we begin reviewing it. In the case of Flow - The PDF reader, the App Store indicates that it was created by a company called T.licious Software. However, there doesn’t appear to be a company by this name.
A Google search for “T.licious Software” lists a site called AppStore HQ, which calls itself the “unofficial page” for T.licious Software. Yet the only information listed there are links to two apps: Docs View for iPhone and Docs Viewer. Fair enough, both apps are listed in the App Store. But Flow - The PDF Reader app is not listed on the AppStore HQ website.
Heading to the App Store itself, there are only two comments by users for the three apps. Each comment states the apps are of no value. Both commenters demand their money back.
One says the following:
KIND OF A WASTE OF MONEY. YOU HAVE THE SAME SOFTWARE ON YOUR I PAD TO DO THIS. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS HOW DO YOU OPEN A PDF IN THE FLOW PROGRAM? THERE IS NOT A TAB OR WINDOW TO OPEN A PDF FROM AN E-MAIL, SO HOW DOES IT WORK. REALLY A WASTE OF MONEY AND I LEARNED THE HARD WAY. SEND ME .99 CENT FOR THE REVIEW AND IT WILL SAVE YOU THE $3.00Also, worthless is the developer link for T.licious Software within the App Store. On two of the app pages, the links are useless. Instead of taking you to a website, the links go to your PC or Mac’s “local” website. With another link, you are taken to tlicious.com. This page offers you the option to purchase THE DOMAIN but makes no mention of the app itself. We often hear stories about Apple not approving an app. However, this is the first time I’ve seen a situation when numerous apps are approved for a company that doesn’t appear to exist. Perhaps with thousands of apps available in the App Store (and hundreds of others waiting for approval each day), Apple missed something here. Either that or Apple’s approval process isn’t as difficult to maneuver around as we have been led to believe. Meanwhile, our advice is this: until we hear more about T.licious Software, don't download any of "the company's" apps.
