App Store Rejections: Apple rejects iKaraoke app, then files a patent for a karaoke player
July 2nd, 2009 | 
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Filed under: Analysis / Opinion , Bad Apple , Apple , iPhone iPod touch rejection App Store: Apple Rejects iKaraoke app, then files a patent f? Reimer reported karaoke player
Michael Jones on 2 July 2009 
As if the weight? sser around the App Store approval procedures were not tr? be enough, a developer has click on “an unprecedented wall . Apple opposes his app, iKaraoke, cited that there is twice functionality? of t iPod application. Nat? of course is the “dual functionality? t” reason is nothing new, but the Apple n? next step is: Only a few weeks after the rejection of the application, they have filed a patent f? r inclusion in the karaoke function iPod App. A brief look at the demo iKaraoke's website will quickly say that, w while the program is not with a light? hnlichkeit to some of the Men's in the iPod application that the TATS? chliche interface, which interacts with the user to select and download a song is far away from duplication of the iPod interface polished. Another important point is that the format of the file, the iKaraoke is known as the . Kar-format - an unofficial extension of MIDI specification, with the texts, which in time with music. The lyrics are displayed on the screen displayed, and highlighted how the song is played. If one of the sound like functionality? t see the iPod app? We do not think so. What exactly was twice? After Apple, iKaraoke “duplicates the functionality ? t built the iPhone application, iPod, without sufficient differentiation or extra features . “But they have not only there. The expert went on to say that the application” downloads media files that are not from the iTunes application, which includes the management of media files, we believe it w? re f? r confusing the user. “Well, keep to one minute here … It is good f? R several other applications, to stream and download media files from your iPod without the iTunes , but it is not okay, f? r an application to download media, which are not natively supported? tzt, and functionality? t are not native to the iPod? This w? re not much different from your typical around to? ckweisung if the story ended, but it does not. This morning, Apple filed a patent [ application here ], the details of built-in karaoke functionality? t add, like the iPod application, with some extra bells and whistles like? monitoring the Tonh? he the voice of the user. So it seems that functionality? t, the dual functionality? t is that Apple has not yet been released, and m? might not even begun to to develop. Perhaps the $ 99 iPhone Developer Program fee? hr should have a crystal ball f? r test the applications before them. As with the many other patents Apple has this feature might never see the light of day . But is it really acceptable to reject an application, based solely on what a doubling of a function that can also not be released in the future, please let us know your thoughts in the comments. Tweet this Comments ( 18 ) / * Some of that is crap * / function iecheck (inc_seven) ( / / alert (navigator.platform); < br >???? if (navigator.platform == “Win32″ & & navigator.appName == “Microsoft Internet Explorer” & & window.attachEvent) ( ???????? var rslt = navigator . appVersion.match (/ MSIE (\ d + \. \ d +) /,''); ???????? iever var = (inc_seven)? (rslt! = null & & Number ( rslt [1])> = 5.5): (rslt! = null & & Number (rslt [1])> = 5.5 & & Number (rslt [1]) '; normal fire var =' 
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As if the waters surrounding the App Store approval process weren't murky enough, one developer has just hit an unprecedented wall. Apple rejected his app, iKaraoke, citing that it duplicated functionality of the iPod application. Of course, the “duplicate functionality” reason is nothing new, but Apple's next step is: just a few weeks after rejecting the application, they have filed a patent for including karaoke functionality into the iPod app.A brief look at the demo iKaraoke's website will quickly tell you that, while the app does bear a light resemblance to some of the menus found in the iPod application, the actual interface that the user interacts with to select and download a song is far from duplicating the iPod's polished interface. Another key point is that the file format used by iKaraoke is known as the .kar format — an unofficial extension of the MIDI specification that enables lyrics to appear in time with music. The lyrics are then displayed on the screen, and highlighted as the song is played. Does any of this sound like functionality found in the iPod app? We didn't think so.So what exactly was duplicated then? According to apple, iKaraoke “duplicates the functionality of the built-in iPhone application, iPod, without providing sufficient differentiation or added functionality.” But they didn't just stop there. The reviewer went on to say that the application “downloads media files that are not managed by the iTunes application, which also manages media files, we believe this would be confusing to the user.” Now, hold on a minute here… it's fine for several other apps to stream and download media files that are supported by the iPod without being managed by iTunes, but it's not OK for an app to download media that isn't natively supported, and provide functionality that isn't natively provided by the iPod? This wouldn't be much different from your typical app rejection if the story stopped there, but it doesn't. This morning, Apple filed a patent [application here] which details built-in Karaoke functionality being added as part of the iPod application, with some additional bells and whistles such as monitoring the pitch of the user's voice. So it seems the functionality that was duplicated is functionality that Apple has not yet released, and possibly not yet even begun to develop. Maybe the $99 iPhone Developer Program fee should include a crystal ball for testing apps before submitting them.As with the many other patents Apple has filed, this feature may never see the light of day. But is it really acceptable to reject an application, based solely on what appears to be a duplication of a feature that may or may not even be released in the future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
SourcePrint thisWith HP wireless printers, you could have printed this from any room in the house.Live wirelessly. Print wirelesslyEmail this addthis_pub = 'weblogsinc'; addthis_options = 'digg, facebook, delicious, myspace, aolfav, propeller, google, live, stumbleupon, reddit, favorites, technorati, aim, more'; Share Tweet this!Comments (18) /* some ie crap */ function iecheck(inc_seven) { // alert(navigator.platform); if (navigator.platform == “Win32″ && navigator.appName == “Microsoft Internet Explorer” && window.attachEvent) { var rslt = navigator.appVersion.match(/MSIE (\d+\.\d+)/, ''); var iever = (inc_seven)?(rslt != null && Number(rslt[1]) >= 5.5):(rslt != null && Number(rslt[1]) >= 5.5 && Number(rslt[1]) < 7 ); } else { iever=false; } return iever; } var useFilter=iecheck(false); var ie6Brand='
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document.getElementById('spherePoweredBy').innerHTML=brand; Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1ToddFSU said 3:06PM on 7-02-2009
Huh? That's terrible Apple. Don't make the 2010 iPhone… the 3G[k]
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2Andre said 3:09PM on 7-02-2009
Lawsuit.
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3dig said 3:12PM on 7-02-2009
Isn't it about time the practice of rejecting apps that are “duplicating functionality” is tried and tested in court?
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4Hobbes said 3:40PM on 7-02-2009
It's Apple's store. When you sign up to be a developer you're bound to their terms and that's as good as any contractual obligation. I don't believe there is anything left to be decided in court. The only option the developer has is to not develop for the iPhone or go the jailbreak route.
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5SSteve said 3:18PM on 7-02-2009
Apple's technology is so far advanced that the app approval process is actually handled by reviewers in the future where the iPod Karaoke functionality has already been implemented.
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6owenmhv said 3:18PM on 7-02-2009
What came first, the chicken or the egg. What asssurance do I have that submittting an app won't be rejected then copied and patented by apple.
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7Rackham Hoke said 3:20PM on 7-02-2009
This is not nearly as shady as it seems. Patent application 12/107,931 was filed on April 23, 2008. It just happens to have been published (made available for public viewing) today.
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8James Donevan said 3:21PM on 7-02-2009
Let's use just the faintest hint of common sense with a modest dose of reality. Apple has an in-house functionality planned for the iPhone in 2010. Meanwhile an independent developer submits an application with the same function beforehand. Pick one…Does Apple:a. approve the indie application knowing the developer will scream foul in 2010 and claim Apple stole his idea with all the media brouhaha that will generate.b. reject the indie application indicating it duplicates a functionality (be it still in development) thereby curtailing the developer's efforts and nipping an obvious problem in the bud. c. approve the indie application then pull it from the App Store in 2010 leaving a bad taste for everyone (think tethering).Every designer in the world has had a concept in development only to find someone, somewhere is doing something very similar. Indeed I would go so far as to say it commonly happens. While it is always disappointing for one of the parties involved, it happens.
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9Gwydion said 3:25PM on 7-02-2009
d. Approve the application, that's all.Ups, there's a lot of browser apps, they have to be retired from App Store.Ups, there's mail apps, they have to be retired from App Store.
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10digitalrift said 3:22PM on 7-02-2009
Please correct the article: while the rejection is pretty shady, Apple most certainly did not file the patent “this morning”; it was filed well over a year ago.
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11Metaphor said 3:29PM on 7-02-2009
Totally support you on this one….shades of oooo you can't get calls when push is turned on…. poorly researched and sensationalist…..Is TUAW becoming the Daily Star of Apple News Blogs?Can't wait for the 'Steve Jobs ate my hamster' headline…..Seriously though if Apple have registered a patent on a feature it is to protect there future intellectual property or product/products. I guess the question that should of been addressed in the article is should Apple come down on an app developer that has got there before they did….If the above is the case it does show Apple in a poor light but its not as clear cut as the article suggests…..
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12Jon said 3:23PM on 7-02-2009
While Apple's denial of the karaoke app in light of this patent application is certainly interesting, the entire premise of the article is wrong. The patent application was filed April 23rd, 2008 (well before the App Store existed), not today. This morning was when it was released by the USPTO for public consumption, so it's the first time we've seen it, but it's certainly not new.
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13drunknbass said 3:27PM on 7-02-2009
ok.. the podcaster fiasco a while back was kind of borderline, but this is wayyyy too far.. Some lawyer needs to step up and represent this guy and sue apple.. and if he submitted this app b4 the patent was filed id like to see that patent get rejected. Thats completely bs.. So apple reviews apps and when one crosses their path that they like the idea of, they can reject and do themselves?pretty sure this is blatant anti competition tactics. Even if apple had the idea first, why should the be special? how many developers make apps and 5 months into developing it see another developer doing the exact same idea. Then it comes down to the better app winning out in the end. Why is apple so damn special they can just wave their big ****s around and do what they want? oh yea.. because they are the new MS. and MS is the old apple. lol
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14John said 3:32PM on 7-02-2009
All this and AT&T, too? I'm glad I own an Android phone.
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15arpee said 3:40PM on 7-02-2009
Get your facts straight before making a mountain out of a mole hill, TUAW. There's nothing funky here but your reporting. Patent applications don't just appear, the process takes a while. See above comments for more particulars. As for the lawsuit comment, the developers sign an agreement, so they should be aware/expect that rejections will happen and it is at Apple's discretion to do so.
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16nonnus said 3:43PM on 7-02-2009
hello all,i am nonnus,the developer of iKaraoke,kudos to michael for posting and to all of you for your interest on the iKaraoke issue,i hope this article helps to unblock this unfortunate situation as just today i received another iKaraoke rejection…no replies to any of the questions made, just same robotic words…you can find more details (including my reply) athttp://www.ikaraokeapp.com/node/22but here you have the transcript from today, compare it with the one from the article from june 3…>
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17john.mcswankypants said 3:43PM on 7-02-2009
“The lyrics are then displayed on the screen, and highlighted as the song is played. Does any of this sound like functionality found in the iPod app? “In a way, yes, but not entirely. The iPhone/iPod Touch already displays lyrics for the current song (if you've added them). Does it highlight as it plays though? No.
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18Erik said 3:56PM on 7-02-2009
“There's an app for that.” Oops… I mean there may or may not be an app for that at some point in the future
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