GP Apps

I am being bombarded with the same spam message from GP Apps complaining about an iPhone video app. If you have an iPhone, you probably noticed that it has everything except a video recording application.

GP Apps decided to write a program that takes multiple frames from the camera and creates standard video. Apple decided to fill this void and make it a major selling point for their new iPhone (yes, mine is now old – and I just bought it!). The spam indicates that Apple decided not to allow GP Apps to publish their application.

Makes sense to me, what doesn’t make sense is the GP Apps spam – why bombard everyone with their complaint? It’s Apple’s iPhone and if they deem an application as competition, then why is it such a shocker they wouldn’t list it?

Sending unsolicited email and complaining like this does nothing for the image of GP Apps except get them added to the list of spammers.

Here is the unsolicited email made to look like an official news release….

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Title: Breakthrough iPhone Video Camera Application Blocked By Apple

Summary: GP App’s iVidCam was rejected by Apple, revealing a growing tension between the computer company and its iPhone application developers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (June 2009) – At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference this week, Senior Vice President of iPhone Software Scott Forstall said, “Our job is to make developers successful.” However, a recent conflict with iPhone Application developer GP Apps has made many question Apple’s commitment to fair, open, and honest developer communication.

In March, the LA-based GP Apps was shocked to hear that after months of development, their new and innovative iVidCam application was rejected by Apple on three separate occasions. Although Apple cited an API violation in a form letter, company owners David & Susan Lee wrote the computer behemoth explaining that using a custom camera view with subclasses had been encouraged, highlighted and repeatedly published by Apple in recent months.

Their attempts to communicate with a number of Apple representatives, including Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Phillip Schiller, did not lead to an explanation regarding their application rejection.

“We feel mislead, mistreated, and saddened by this incident,” said Susan Lee, the company’s managing director. “We have tried repeatedly to dialogue with Apple about our product to gain a better understanding of the situation, but we have been met with elusive answers and a general unwillingness to find a solution or even to recognize a problem.”

Their application, iVidCam, would allow users to take motion video and encode it as a MPEG4 video clip – users would be able to view these clips on their computers and upload them to video-sharing websites like YouTube. Although Apple apparently stopped approving apps with custom camera view around April, the company continued to prominently features similar applications at the iTunes AppStore until late May.

“Our company invested a significant amount of hard work and resources into iVidCam, and we would simply like an honest and candid explanation for its rejection,” said David Lee. “We would like Apple to honor their partnership with developers and stop the unfair practices that are harming and impairing our joint ability to serve Apple and iPhone users.”

After further communication difficulties with Apple, GP Apps sent a petition to Steve Jobs, Phil Schiller, Apple App Reviews and Apple Dev Programs on June 6, 2009. The petition, which was signed by 18 other developers, urged Apple to discontinue their unfair practices and open communication with iPhone Application developers.

About GP Apps:

Founded in 2008 and based in California, GP Apps strives to create innovative and practical mobile software for the whole family. Currently, GP Apps has over 350 iPhone 3G applications available for download, including Car Spotter, Coffee Addict, Hungry?, Kid Art, Note to Self, Period Tracker, Quick ATM, Quick Gas, and Sushi Addict. GP Apps works toward making your iPhone work for you.

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