Maybe there shouldn’t be an ‘app for everything…’
While you may enjoy the simplicity and practicality of the apps you use on your smartphone or tablet, not all apps are created with these things in mind. Some actually cause controversy among users and other developers. And in fact, though some of these controversial apps make it to the market, some are banned after production, never to be used by the general population. Here is a list of a few controversial and banned apps that never got their chance to shine.
I Am Rich
This controversial and generally worthless app was featured on the Apple Store for a short period of time, but was eventually pulled by management once they realized its nature. I Am Rich cost $1,000 and contained one screen that had nothing but a picture of a diamond in the center. A few customers accidentally bought this app, assuming it was a joke, and complained to Apple. Apple quickly refunded their money and took the app off of the virtual marketplace.
Slasher
This bizarre app led users to a screen that showed only a bloody knife, which reacted to the movement of the device with blood-curdling screams and slashing sounds. It wasn’t received very well in the United Kingdom though, where knife violence is extremely prevalent, making it a very sensitive subject. After a variety of complaints throughout the country, Apple took the app down for over four years.
Send Me to Heaven
send me to heaven app
Capitalizing on the popularity of sports games on smartphones and tablets, the creators of Send Me to Heaven decided to create an interactive app with a twist. This strange app directs users throw their phones as high as they possibly can, using the accelerometer to measure the speed and distance the phone reached in the air. Of course, if the user catches it on the way down, they will see the amount of points they receive—others receive nothing more than a shattered device. This app was rejected by Apple.
Obama Trampoline
The developers of this app decided to try their hands at political parody. Obama Trampoline allows customers to choose from 18 different politicians and bounce them around the White House Oval Office by shaking their phones. To add to the excitement, extra points are gained when the politicians hit balloons in the air and pop them. But because Apple does not condone the defamation or slander of political officials, this app was rejected immediately.
Me So Holy
Religious leaders across the world would have been infuriated by the content of this app for the iPhone. Me So Holy allowed users to take pictures of their faces, or even of their friends, and place their profiles atop the heads of religious figures from a variety of world religions. This controversial app never saw the light of day, as Apple headquarters deemed it offensive, and assumed that it would be to objectionable for commercial availability.
An App for Everything
Though many apps are productive and have a variety of useful capabilities, others are downright offensive and serve very little purpose. These different programs truly show us that there really is an app for everything, even thought there possibly shouldn’t be…
This article was provided by Deb Phillips, volunteer veterinarian and iPhone and iPad app expert. If you’re an avid gadget user, Deb recommends Protect Your Bubble cell phone insurance.
