Apple Review

Apple has recevied a lot of criticism lately for the way they approve (or reject) iPhone applications. Some of it has been fair (long wait times) and some of it has not (i am with Apple on google voice rejection).

WhatsApp 2.0 was recently approved by Apple and i just wanted to let everybody know that albeit a standard two week wait, our story with Apple review team is quite different. It is actually good, unlike a lot of negative approval stories floating on the Internets

While waiting for approval, we got a call from Apple asking us (very politely) to remove all references to BlackBerry App Store in our application description. That made total sense to us and we removed them right away. A few days later we were in contact with Apple and they asked us to remove certain keywords from iTunes Connect and again. They explained why and their request was absolutely reasonable. And a few days later after that we were in contact with Apple again because they wanted us to change our chat UI. Our apple contact was very polite and explained exactly what we should change and why. He also said that we can optionally decide not to change the UI, but it would just take another week or two to get the application approved. Since we wanted to push the release out ASAP, we changed the UI, re-submitted and got approved the next day.

Throughout this interaction with Apple, they have shown to be extremely helpful and absolutely reasonable in their requests. Thank you guys!

WhatsApp 2.0 is submitted

We submitted WhatsApp 2.0 into the App Store last night. It will probably take around two weeks for it to get reviewed and approved.

You will love the feature we added. A lot of you have been asking for it ever since you switched from BlackBerry:)

Last non-Smartphone sold on …

2003: Dell, Inc. no longer includes floppy on their home computers.
2007: Last CRT television set sold by UK DSG (Dixons).
2008: Last standalone JVC VHS-only unit was produced.
20XX: Last non-Smartphone mobile phone is produced.

So, when do you think we will see the end of “dumb” mobile phones? I think 2014 – am I overly optimistic in my estimate?

Dear BlackBerry, I have a question

My question is simple: have you seen what Apple is up to these days?

The reason I am asking is because it would be great if WhatsApp could use BlackBerry push technology. Heck, we are even willing to pay for it even though we are a self funded and cash strapped startup (but hey, i am sure those $2,000 from us and others like us will make a HUGE difference in your quarterly profits)

Yet, even if we want to use push and even if we are willing to pay for it, we still can’t! That is because to get access to BlackBerry push technology one has to sigh up for your ISV program. However, you ISV site states:

Please note that this fall, the BlackBerry® Alliance Program will introduce a new program structure, built to power your ideas and deliver a new level of success. As such we can accept your application and a member of our team will contact you but we will be unable to fully process your application at this time.

Really BlackBerry? Really? You really don’t want any companies and individuals to develop new applications for your platform which use push until “this fall”? Really?

Hence, back to my original question: have you seen what Apple is up to these days?

Pardon me while i rant a little bit

Do you remember these:

I bet you do.  Your parents used to have these until mobile phones, computers and PDAs came along and gave you ability to store your contacts electronically.  But not much changed since.  OK, so you don’t use a pen or pencil to record your contacts, that much has changed, i’ll give you that.  But that is about it.  Your address book has remained a stagnant and static entity.  It has no life.  Better yet: it has no smarts.  While you might have the most powerful and amazing Smartphone on the block, your address book remains the opposite of smart.  Yes, i said it: your address book is quite dumb.

Why is it that in 2010 you still don’t know if your contact is available for a conversation?  Or if he/she is traveling out of the country?  Why shouldn’t you see before you make a phone call if your contact is in a meeting or home sick?  How ridiculous is that?

And don’t even get me started on social networks.  Why would i care if a person i barely know on social network X is about to take a shower or that there is a loud dog barking outside their window?  Sure, that is all great, but I already have a social network filled with contacts i really and truly care about: my Address Book.

Now take a look again at the image i posted at the beginning of this post.  You know what the caption of that image should read?  I think it should read:

Address Book: the Original social network.