Take a peek at Apple’s App Store review guidelines and you’ll see why developers who make even passing mention to Android find themselves shut out. It’s crystal clear:
Apps or metadata that mentions the name of any other mobile platform will be rejected.
The rule recently led to a news reader app that innocently included an Android reference in one of its screenshots being forced to submit a new update to get through the gates.
Why does this old rule – it came into force in 2010 – matter now?
Because with iOS 9, Apple’s introducing Move to iOS, an Android app that will allow you to quickly shift your contacts, message history, photos, videos, bookmarks, mail accounts, songs and books to your new iPhone.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
The Android app will also reconstruct your app library on your new iOS device by automatically grabbing the free apps you use and putting the paid ones on your iTunes Wish List.
All very convenient and in the interests of consumers planning to leap to iPhone or iPad. But while it’s built an app that concludes by telling you that your Android device can be be recycled at your nearest Apple Store, the company won’t tolerate the equivalent any time soon.
I’m an iOS user. I’ll be upgrading my iPhone 5s to the next generation when it arrives later this year, but I still think Apple’s hardline on developers even whispering the name of the little green robot is childish and hypocritical.
➤ Move to iOS [Apple]
Read next: Here are the best iOS 9 features Apple didn’t mention at WWDC
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.