Apple App Store Walks Gratification Tightrope
1/27/2009

A new article on TechCrunch chronicles recent events regarding iPhone and iPod apps that attempt to cash in on our anatomical jiggly bits. Last month Apple banned an application called "Shake a Pair" which tapped into the motion sensor of the iPhone so that users could shake a pair of 3D rendered "baby bottles" (as my 3 year old used to call them).

Good form, Apple! At least until you redesign the App Store to keep age appropriate/inappropriate material separate.

Not longer after, a new app hit the store that uses your own pictures in a similar fashion. It gives you targets to place on a picture so that when you shake your iPod, the targeted areas "wobble." Yes, really. Lucky for us, the app creator made a handy dandy video to illustrate.

Groan.

This time Apple did not ban the application. They merely asked the creator to remove all innuendo from the videos and marketing material. I agree, it is a tough call. Technically the app could be used for innocent amusement.

All this to say, stay in the game, parents! Do your young teen, preteen, or tween kids have an iPhone or iPod Touch? When's the last time you talked to them about what apps are on it? When's the last time you picked it up and looked?

Clearly, this is no time to stick your head in the sand.

FULL ARTICLE:
Boobs and Bootie Banned From the App Store