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Apple cites Pebble support in isolated app rejection, developer says

Update: Apple tells Business Insider that “apps won’t be denied on the grounds that they work with Pebble.”

With the Apple Watch debuting tomorrow with well over 1,000 WatchKit apps already on the App Store, Apple may now be rejecting app submissions and updates that mention support for the competing Pebble smartwatch. The developer of SeaNav US for iPhone shared on Pebble’s developer discussions forum that a recent update has been rejected by Apple as the app and description “declare support for thePebble Smartwatch.” 

Specifically, the developer says that Apple cited rule 3.1, which says apps that name competing mobile platforms in their description will be rejected.

“From Apple

3.1 – Apps or metadata that mentions the name of any other mobile platform will be rejected

3.1 Details

We noticed that your app or its metadata contains irrelevant platform information in the app. Providing future platform compatibility plans, or other platform references, is not appropriate for the App Store.”

Notably, the developer mentions that the app in question has existed on the App Store for almost 2 years without issue — before the Apple Watch was a thing — adding that the update doesn’t change anything related to its Pebble smartwatch support.

Apple’s guidance to resolve the issue, according to the developer, has been to remove all mentions of Pebble support from the app title, description, and other assets.

While the incident coincides with the launch of the Apple Watch and its platform for smartwatch apps, the rejection appears to be an isolated one that could be reversed similar to recent notable App Store rejections. Pebble’s own app remains unaffected and we have not heard of similar rejections. Apple has not yet replied to a request for clarification on the incident.

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Comments

  1. TrueCopy (@TruthCopy) - 9 years ago

    I suspect the decision will be reversed, since Pebble is not a “mobile platform.” The guidelines will be clarified, certainly. But it can’t be said that announcing support for the Pebble is “irrelevant platform information.”

    Great publicity for the app developer, though.

  2. Kelly Pangburn - 9 years ago

    This is common rejection reason, it’s the same rejection you get if you mention Android in your description. Apple is just being consistent in their policy.

    • Toro Volt (@torovolt) - 9 years ago

      Except that a SmartWatch can be considered a Bluetooth Accessory which in fact is how the Pebble interact with the iOS.
      Strangely enough the rejection started after the Apple Watch was released, so is not consistent, nor fair.
      The only consistency I see is how Monopolies behave so this was to be expected.

  3. Kind of puts some difficulty into the process of getting an app approved designed to run on the iPhone (not the watch) and do something with/to the Pebble. In such a case it’s a RELEVANT other mobile platform.

    Same goes for creating an iPhone app designed to be used an an Android Remote Control or similar. You have to mention Android, that’s what the app does.

  4. Soluble Apps - 9 years ago

    This isn’t fair, and I hope it is reversed. the Pebble support is very relevant to that app.

  5. Apple stuff is great but Apple as a business is as close to a totalitarian state as you could possibly get so it’s to be expected.

    • bpbatch - 9 years ago

      This comment right here is the epitome of a reactionary, moronic person who doesn’t bother to take the time to read an article before making a stupid statement about said article.

      Apple isn’t telling developers that they cannot create cross-platform apps. They are telling developers that they can’t mention another rival product/company—in this case, Pebble—in their app store submissions.

      Plain and simple as that, Aunty.

      (rolls eyes)

      • Did I say Apple isn’t telling developers they cannot create cross-platform apps? No I didn’t.

        I said their business is as close to a totalitarian state as you could possibly get, and it is. Did I say that is a bad thing? No I didn’t. I didn’t say it was a good thing either.

        You class the comment as “stupid” and have resorted to a personal attack because you have taken PERSONALLY what I said as a sleight against yourself somehow.

        And you called me reactionary and moronic?

      • bpbatch - 9 years ago

        Yeah, moron, you implied a “totalitarian” business model based on Apple’s seemingly innoculous requirement to not mention Pebble in an app submission. Had you mastered a comprehension class at some point in your life you would realize that is no big frickin’ whoop. Message boards would be better served without people like you, an admitted troll.

      • Brian – you’re a grown adult & the only person acting like a troll here is you my friend.

        Feel free to get personal as much as you like of course – that’s your prerogative & I can handle it. By getting personal and throwing your toys out of the pram you’ve proven you can’t handle a sensible conversation anyway.

        Nice blog by the way.

      • bpbatch - 9 years ago

        .. and SCENE.

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.