Slashdot Mirror


Apple Blocks iOS Apps Using Dropbox SDK

Barence writes with an excerpt from PC Pro: "Dropbox's latest SDK has incurred the wrath of Apple, because users who don't have the Dropbox app installed on their iPhone/iPad are instead pushed to Dropbox's website via the Safari browser. Here, they can click a link to the desktop version of the service, which allows them to buy extra Dropbox storage without Apple taking its usual 30% cut." Reportedly, Dropbox is attempting to strike a deal to resolve the problem.

9 of 356 comments (clear)

  1. Apple Blocks iOS Apps That Use Dropbox SDK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    No, Apple did not use the Dropbox SDK to block apps,
    Apple blocked iOS Apps that use Dropbox SDK.

  2. Re:Are users app-blind? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Nothing, it's just that Apple's position has always been that if you want to sell anything through an app on their platform they get a 30% cut.

  3. Re:Are users app-blind? by Richard_at_work · · Score: 4, Informative

    Nothing, but Apple have had a rule blocking this sort of action for a long while already - the issue is that Dropbox accounts allow then to up sell a user to a Pro account, outside of the Apple in-app purchasing ecosystem. This is an issue that has long been discussed before, and has previously resulted in apps like Kindle Reader removing their store functionality for the same reason.

    If you are asking why a user needs an app, its because it does more than a website - its available off line for example (yes, a website can provide an off line mode, but the storage limit is very small compared to that of an actual app).

    In this case, they are talking about third party apps integrating with Dropbox using the Dropbox SDK - so the primary reason to install the app is not to replace the Dropbox website, but for whatever the app does.

  4. Article is completely wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    This article is completely wrong.

    The word SDK is used improperly, and what Apple is complaining about is not at all what the article states. It sickens me that articles like this reinstill false ideas of what and why Apple does things.

    Simply put, Apple's policy is that for any app in the appstore, if you desire someone to purchase additional features for your app, and you tell them about it, they must be done through in-app purchases. DropBox is not doing this. It's completely okay according to Apple for the DropBox app to not say anything about buying additional storage, and then selling this additional storage on their website, but it is NOT okay according to Apple to tell the user inside the app about this additional storage, and then bypassing Apple's in-app purchase system and giving the user a link to the website.

  5. Re:How dare they... by cpu6502 · · Score: 2, Informative

    >>>If apple's business doesnt suit you, dont buy

    Done and done (and modded minus one).

    --
    My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
  6. Re:How dare they... by CosaNostra+Pizza+Inc · · Score: 1, Informative

    Analysis of your conclusion: You are a deluded idiot, continually suprised by for profit businesses seeking profit, which you equate with them being 'bastards'. Your delusion give a pass to Dropbox, presumably because they are 'the little guy', despite their acting in contravention of Apple's quite clear rules about in app purchases.

    Sounds like another "Apple (Can do no wrong)" fan-boy is in our midst.

  7. Re:How dare they... by BasilBrush · · Score: 2, Informative

    They haven't cut anyone off. Any apps that were approved before are still on sale on the app store and work just as they did before.

    Apple just aren't allowing new apps or app versions that use a new API that breaches app store rules.

    Your criticism is misguided.

  8. Re:apple is clearly doomed by Farmer+Tim · · Score: 4, Informative

    What gets under my skin is cutting off people using Dropbox SDK that have nothing to do with this.

    Then you'll be pleased to learn that existing apps using previous Dropbox SDK versions still work perfectly and can still be downloaded from the app store (including Dropbox's own app). Nothing that was already approved has been removed or uninstalled.

    --
    Blank until /. makes another boneheaded UI decision.
  9. Re:How dare they... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    wuala.com. Your data is even encrypted before it leaves your device. You still can share your data cryptographically. If you share it to the world at large, then the service provider can potentially see the data as well, otherwise it is still encrypted. I use the Linux client and the Android client, other platforms are supported as well.