Apple ‘Shake the Baby’ game
p2pnet news view | Products:- “Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings” – Apple.
“If you needed any further proof that Apple’s App Store approval process is horrifyingly out of whack, consider one of the latest additions to the App Store: Baby Shaker” – CNet News
The object of Sikalosoft’s $1 Baby Shaker is to, “stop the incessant crying of an infant pictured on screen by violently shaking the iPhone, at which point two red ‘x’ marks appear over the baby’s eyes,” says CNet, quoting the sales pitch as stating »»»
See how long you can endure his or her adorable cries before you just have to find a way to quiet the baby down!
Unphknbelievable.
But wait. This is Apple we’re talking about.
Believable.
“Patrick Donohue, founder of the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation (dedicated to children suffering from Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury) was so upset with the app, he wrote a letter to Steve Jobs and other Apple executives,” says iPhone Central.
“As the father of a three-year-old who was shaken by her baby nurse when she was only five days old, breaking three ribs, both collarbones and causing a severe brain injury, words cannot describe my reaction,” said Donohue. “You have no idea the number of children your actions have put at risk by your careless, thoughtless and reckless behavior!”
“Baby Shaker is obviously in very poor taste, but if taste were a guide, the App Store would be an awful lot smaller,” says The Register, “Although that would probably be no bad thing.”
Apple, “confirmed that the App, which cost 99 cents, had been removed, but made no comment on how the App had passed the initial review process,” says eWeek, adding:
“Apple often accompanies the pulling of Apps with a reason to support the decision. It has previously yanked Apps due to objectionable content, including ‘Slasher,’ an App that let users run around with a virtual knife.
For some reason, the Sikalosoft site was down as of 8:44 am Pacific.
CNet News – Apple approves ‘Baby Shaker’ for App Store, April 22, 2009
iPhone Central – Baby Shaker app approved, then removed, April 22, 2009
The Register – Apple double takes on shaken babies, April 23, 2009
eWeek – Apple ‘Baby Shaker’ App Could Change Rules for Developers, April 23, 2009
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April 23rd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Apple approving ridiculous apps to get commissions and refuse useful apps.
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
This is news? With everything happening today in the way the world this weak social commentary is the best we can do? If this were a real baby being shaken, then by all means get up in arms. Last I checked, we’re talking about a piece of hardware that fits in your pocket. What boy didn’t grow up decapitating their sisters barbies or play first person shooters, I think we’re all a little more mature now that we can stop blaming video games for the ‘life imitating art’ argument.
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
“I think we’re all a little more mature now”
You place too much faith in society at large.
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
“If this were a real baby being shaken, then by all means get up in arms. Last I checked, we’re talking about a piece of hardware…”
I think you’re missing the point.
Everyone is not born with a fully-developed mind.
Society needs to do absolutely EVERYTHING it can to discourage any image of “acceptance” with such things that may engrain themselves in the younger minds. Example: If kids grow up thinking, even “subconsciously”, it’s an option to shake a baby, they may very well end up doing it.
Indeed, when we don’t take such things seriously, older minds have shown they can be subconsciously degraded the same way.
April 25th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Hmm, wonder how long it will take for a different type of app that you also shake the iphone but at least with this app there isnt a need for a tissue after you’ve won the game……
Come on guys you know what I mean……..
April 29th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
if the parents taught the kid right from wrong and etc, i don’t really see the point of making a big deal out of this “shake a baby” app. as long as they know, then nothin’s wrong with it. it’s just computerized.