Purchasing from an iOs App

[Pete]

That's an appalling experience.  Sorry, but with or without Steve Jobs, that
is ridiculous and reinforces why I will never buy an iPhone or an iPad.
Pete
Molly's Revenge <http://www.mollysrevenge.com>




On Wed, Sep 7, 2011 at 9:05 PM, Chipp Walters <chipp at chipp.com> wrote:

> Below is reprinted from elsewhere by a LC developer trying to get his app
> approved. Ian's expertise on the subject notwithstanding, the empirical
> data
> below may suggest no URLs of any kind, linkable or not, may not be allowed.
>
> On Tuesday, August 23, 2011, Peter Hermsen <hermsen at comcast.net> wrote:
> > I'm still fighting through getting my first app approved for Apple's App
> >
> > Store. I figured I'd share my experiences to help others avoid the app
> police.
> >
> > Background:
> >
> > I put together a free app that is an adjunct to a client's website. As
> such, the app wouldn't do any good without first creating an account on the
> website. For that reason, I provided a URL where the user could tap to open
> Safari and sign up for the service.
> >
> > The app was designed to allow users to log and view status of personal
> microloans. It would not manage any cash or credit transactions from within
> the application.
> >
> > Rejection #1:
> > 11.13 Apps that link to external mechanisms for purchases or
> subscriptions
> to be used in the app, such as a “buy" button that goes to a web site to
> purchase a digital book, will be rejected
> >
> > There weren't any links to purchases or subscriptions. However, because
> the app was used to view monetary account information, it was rejected
> because it was assumed to contain payment links. I resubmitted the app with
> a better explanation of how it worked and that no payments could possibly
> be
> made from within the app.
> >
> > Rejection #2:
> >
> > Received a phone call from the review committee. They said that they were
> ok with the first part and that they would let it slide. But, since the
> info
> button in the app mentioned that in order for it to work, the user needed
> an
> account on the web site, and that I provided the link to sign up, it was
> disallowed because "Apps can't provide a link to an external website to
> solicit or facilitate enrolling in services. This was due to Apple wanting
> users to be directed to the iTunes store from apps, and not to external
> sites."
> >
> > OK. I bit the bullet and removed the offending reference to the fact that
> users had to sign up first. I also removed the link to the website. I also
> modified the info button so that it no longer navigated to a reference card
> where links could possibly reside. I also removed that card from the stack,
> so that there would be no references to what could be construed as a link.
> Instead, I had the info button pop a dialog box describing the purpose of
> the app and then put in a statement like "For additional information,
> please
> go to http://www.website.com".  Mind you, it was in a dialog box and could
> not possibly be clicked to navigate you away from the app. It was merely
> informational - in case the user had questions or needed tech support. I
> resubmitted the gutted version of the app.
> >
> > Rejection #3:
> > 11.13 Apps that link to external mechanisms for purchases or
> subscriptions
> to be used in the app, such as a “buy" button that goes to a web site to
> purchase a digital book, will be rejected
> >
> > Really? There were NO links anywhere within the app to allow any
> purchases
> of any type. The reviewer noted that the info screen had a URL in it that
> could be referenced by a user to do something on the web that Apple
> disagreed with. So, I changed the wording in the info box to the following:
> "If you have questions about this app, please refer to the support URL on
> the iTunes download page." and resubmitted it. I'm currently waiting for
> approval. If they reject it again, only Android users will get to use the
> app.
> >
> > --------
> >
> > So now I wait. To say that Apple is picky about what can be in apps in
> their store is the understatement of the century. When you plan on
> submitting anything for the App Store, make sure it's squeaky clean and
> doesn't contain even a hint of financial connection or links to anything
> outside the hallowed walls of Appledom. Then, maybe then, the gods will
> smile upon you and accept your app.
> >
> > Good luck!
> >
> > Pete
> >
> > ****UPDATE****
> > The App Store reviewers accepted the new version of the app.  paybaQ
> Mobile is now online and available in the App Store.  Rule of thumb: If it
> looks like a URL is visible from anywhere in the app, you're better off to
> remove it prior to submission.  I haven't been able to ascertain just what
> they will let through yet, but there's a much greater likelihood that an
> app
> with no visible URLs will get through.  I think I'll wait with the next
> version of the app until the date picker is ready for LC on iOS.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
>
> --
> Chipp Walters
> CEO, Shafer Walters Group, Inc.
> _______________________________________________
> use-livecode mailing list
> use-livecode at lists.runrev.com
> Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your
> subscription preferences:
> http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-livecode
>
>