Since the App Store opened on July 10th 2008, Apple has earned plenty of justified criticism over its approval policies. There’s still a lack of transparency over what may or may not be allowed. But Apple has always been clear in its role as the gatekeeper that it will not allow “adult” applications.
But I’ve just received an email from a developer letting me know about his adult iPhone app, which will be approved after iPhone OS 3.0 is released. Is Apple about to relax its grip on the App Store?
Cramzy.com’s Ananga Ranga is effectively an iPhone-based Kama Sutra-type manual, using 3D models to demonstrate sexual positions. Since we’re all digital these days, it goes beyond just the basics that were laid down in ancient India, including:
- the ability to rate each pose for yourself
- online comments and ratings
- marking a pose as “I’ve done it”
I’m not sure whether extra positions are available when you’ve, ahem, completed all fifty 
But content aside, it’ll be interesting to see if Apple does allow this sort of application.
From leaked screenshots of the firmware 3.0 betas, we know that the iPhone will gain a measure of parental controls.
App developers have already been informed that they should resubmit apps that could include “obscene” content, once iPhone OS 3.0 has been released. Add to this that content tagged “Explicit” is already available in iTunes, and it may be possible that more adult content will make an appearance on the App Store.
I’m not about to say that Apple is going to be selling porn. But, if the mechanisms are in place to allow control over what can be allowed on a device, then it may be that Apple intends to relax the restrictions over what is allowed in the App Store.
Even if adult apps are not actually permitted when OS 3.0 is available, then the entrance of parental controls may at least lead to clearer policies for the App Store.
iTunes had already parental controls, so if you cannot even browse the store for that kind of content unless you are using the parents account.
I totally think Apple will allow this one.
I hope they do approve it, and not because I’m trying to mark all as done!
Allowing more adult content with clearer policies would show that Apple is allowing the App Store to grow up. If the iPhone is to grow into a platform, then Apple’s role as an over-strict and unfathomable gatekeeper must diminish.
Also, I’ve just found out from iPhone Saviour that there is already a softcore app on the App Store, courtesy of the Suicide Girls. It’s an iPhone version of the novelty nude pen, whereby you tip the pen up to reveal the nakedness underneath. The article and iTunes link are here: http://www.iphonesavior.com/2009/05/softcore-suicide-girls-bring-art-sleaze-to-iphone.html
Apple would be foolish to rule out the adult market for iPhone applications, 12% of websites are “adult material” generating around $2.5billion a year!
This is interesting:
http://www.adultappreviews.com/2009/06/adult-apps-wont-be-sold-via-itunes/