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Wi-Fi hotspot detection apps pulled from iTunes

Thursday 04 March 2010 1 Comment

apple apps screenshotApple has decided to block WiFi hotspot detecting applications from its iTunes stores with little explanation to both customers and developers why.

According to news site, The Register the handful of WiFi detection apps that actively scan for hotspots disappeared from the store as Apple decided they were using a “private framework”.

Applications using a fixed database of hotspots combined with GPS data are still available from the iTunes store and, of course, it’s still possible for users to manually search for close hotspots - it’s just the automatic apps which have been pulled.

Speaking to The Register one app developer revealed: “We received a very unfortunate email today from Apple stating that WIFi Where has been removed from sale on the App Store for using private frameworks to access wireless information.” According to this developer Apple had declined to elaborate on why WiFi Where had broken the rules.

The Register suggested one possible reason for the iTunes tidy-up could be that the “private framework” might be one that won’t be available on the iPad and “Apple is trying to get as much compatibility as it can before the iPad is launched”.

(screenshot courtesy of Apple)

 

Comments

  • happy

    by R2D2 at 17:01 on 4 Mar 2010Report abuse

    R2D2 here,
    Apple can posture all they want. First it's sue HTC and now shut down WiFi apps. The Andriod revolution has just begun. Soon Jobs will go thru the entire competitive cycle and come to "acceptance." Within two of your earth years, the Android army will have marched over your planet. You heard it here first!

    I'm R2D2 and I know my Droids.!!!

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