RSS
Home
Apple at a crossroads over adult-rated iPhone app
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Apologies for the lack of eye candy.
The ongoing saga of the “Hottest Girls” application has been grabbing headlines lately because it’s the first app to feature adult content and be available at the iPhone App Store for purchase.
Yesterday, Apple apparently rescinded its support of the application and it became unavailable for download.
Or so everyone thought.
According to the developer’s site, the application was not pulled by Apple, but by the developers themselves because, well, here’s what they said:
“The Hottest Girls app is temporarily sold out. The server usage is extremely high because of the popularity of this app. Thus, by not distributing the app, we can prevent our servers from crashing. Those who already have the app will still be able to use our app. To answer the question on everyone’s mind: Yes, the topless images will still be there when it is sold again.”
Ok, so it’s coming back.
Not so fast.
In comments made by an Apple spokesman to CNN later in the day, it became apparent that nobody was on the same page:
“Apple will not distribute applications that contain inappropriate content, such as pornography. The developer of this application added inappropriate content directly from their server after the application had been approved and distributed, and after the developer had subsequently been asked to remove some offensive content. This was a direct violation of the terms of the iPhone Developer Program. The application is no longer available on the App Store.”
Ok, so it’s not coming back.
Whether it does or not, it still leaves several points of discussion. First, a very hard thing to understand here is the popularity of this application.
Doesn’t the iPhone connect to the internet where content like this is widely available? Are people really this excited to get their hands on the first adult rated application approved (or not) by Apple? Or are they excited to see topless women on a tiny screen in the comfort of...wait, that’s just it.
Where is someone supposed to use this application without looking like a total moron or complete creep?
Work? Fired.
The baseball game? Thrown out or laughed at.
Bar? Slapped.
The only logical place this application becomes applicable is in a room that contains a circular device generally made of porcelain.
Add this to the fact that it actually costs money to download and this all becomes rather laughable.
Secondly, where does Apple go from here?
If they decide to let “Hottest Girls” stay on the iPhone App Store as downloadable software, they will be opening the flood gates for similar, objectionable content because let’s face it, this kind of stuff is popular and it will make money.
And if they decide to stick to their guns and keep it pulled from the store?
Besides moaning and groaning from guys without girlfriends worldwide, they run the risk of potentially neglecting a gold mine. But is Apple willing to make big bucks with adult content at the expense of their morality?
Probably not.
Their image is well crafted and something like this does not fit the mold. However, nothing is set in stone for the future, and it’s safe to say, Apple probably was not prepared for this dilemma.
On the flip side, no matter how stupid these kinds of applications are, they should be available to the people who are old enough to buy them. While they are laughable, it will be Apple laughing all the way to the bank. It’s now up to Apple to see if they can find a model that allows them to feel comfortable about this kind of content.
And if they can’t?
People will just have to find pictures of topless women elsewhere.
Like, the internet.
For more info: Contact Adam: admillios@gmail.com
Related Articles:
Comments
