Podcaster developer's account closed


Alex Sokirynsky writes that Apple has effectively blocked sales of his Podcaster application.

It seems that Apple has shut me down. I can no longer provision [Ed--"sell"] any more devices. The developers website that had a "remove device" link is now gone. I looked at the help tab but it still lists "removing a device" as one of the options. I guess Apple just shut my account down. I believe that all the copies of Podcaster I released will keep running.

Previously, Apple refused to allow sales of Podcaster via the AppStore because it duplicated functionality in iTunes. Later, Sokirynsky distributed Podcaster for sale using the iPhone's beta software vetting process.

It's this second, back avenue method that Apple's now blocked.

In related news, Wil Shipley of Delicious Library fame has written a well-thought out piece on ways the AppStore should be reformed.

Download, Play, Burn MP3s! No DRM. No Restrictions. No Worries.