[Info] Apple rejects apps using the springboard

[shirerom]

I tried to publish an my app using the springboard and was rejected by Apple with reason 8.3: Apps that appear confusingly similar to an existing Apple product, interface, or advertising theme will be rejected.

I tried it three times and even an appeal at the App Review Board was unsuccessful.

This is not ment as issue, just as info for others, who want to use the springboard.

[iAlborz]

I think this is a sound reason for Apple to reject your app. Although I'm not sure about your content and you might be using it to the user's advantage in which case it wouldn't matter. But if your app is mimicking the Apple Watch too closely it makes sense for Apple to not want to have the users confused.

Regards Alborz Heydaryan

On Aug 15, 2015, at 2:59 PM, shirerom notifications@github.com wrote:

I tried to publish an my app using the springboard and was rejected by Apple with reason 8.3: Apps which appear confusingly similar to an existing Apple product or advertising theme will be rejected.

I tried it three times and even an appeal at the App Review Board was unsuccessful.

This is not ment as issue, just as info for others, who want to use the springboard.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[shirerom]

I do not think that I mimic the Apple Watch but you can form your own opinion

[iAlborz]

I don’t think you are. this is a nice approach you’re taking actually.

On Aug 16, 2015, at 12:11 AM, shirerom notifications@github.com wrote:

I do not think that I mimic the Apple Watch but you can form your own opinion

https://cloud.githubusercontent.com/assets/1208491/9292377/320d8c46-43f5-11e5-8a70-872248fd2018.jpg — Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/lmmenge/WatchSpringboard-Prototype/issues/10#issuecomment-131496136.

[shirerom]

Thanks! I think it doesn't matter if this view is "confusingly similar to" to the Apple watch. I am pretty sure that no one - and I really mean no one - would be confused by that view. Apple just wants this specific motion/behavior for their watch only. That's it!

[iAlborz]

I understand your point that no one would confuse this, but I also understand why they wouldn’t want anyone using their own unique approach on their own ecosystem.

On Aug 19, 2015, at 4:40 AM, shirerom notifications@github.com wrote:

Thanks! I think it doesn't matter if this view is "confusingly similar to" to the Apple watch. I am pretty sure that no one - and I really mean no one - would be confused by that view. Apple just wants this specific motion/behavior for their watch only. That's it!

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/lmmenge/WatchSpringboard-Prototype/issues/10#issuecomment-132557735.

[lmmenge]

I can imagine why they might be rejecting, but your app doesn't really look like a Springboard replacement. Maybe if you used it in a non-fullscreen fashion? I personally didn't use this one in any published app. It'd be a shame if devs wouldn't be able to use this if they wanted.

[shirerom]

Unfortunally, neither the testers nor the App Review Board provide further information. They just say that the view violates 8.3 of the App Store Review Guidelines. That's it. I asked a few questoins but non of them were answered. In my opinion, at the moment, there is an order, that anything, which is in any kind similary to the apple watch interface, is prohibited. But the testers are not allowed to confirm that.

[shirerom]

I gave it another try by removing the pan-motions. I prohibit the execution of LM_transformView:. Apple still thinks that the view mimics Apple watch, because it is zoomable, or what ever. I attached the screenshot, which should be prove that my App mimics Apple watch.

[shirerom]

Finally, the story has an ending. Two weeks ago, Apple accepted my app. It looks like this:

I still use the springboard, but I modified it to display hexagons which rotate while paning.

[shirerom]

One last question: Does anyone have an app in the Apple AppStore, which uses an almost unmodified version of the springboard? There are over 650 watchers. One must have tried, at least.

[ttrushin]

Shirerom, Can you possibly share how you were able to use the springboard code in your app? I want to do something similar and it seems like you have really figured it out! Thanks

[shirerom]

Basically I removed the resizing and snapping(?) of the round buttons. This was not enough for Apple. Additionally, I turned the round buttons into hexagons and made them rotate while paning.

If I were ask to give an advise: Remove resizing and snapping and send your app to apple. It depends on the Apple tester and maybe you are lucky.