Apple is being extremely stringent about what appears on their app store and the latest victim of their near totalitarian style approach to app approval has left Katsumi Kishikawa Google-powered ClassicMaps app out in the cold.
After complaints were raised over Apple’s poorly implemented and even poorer functioning map app for the iPhone 5, many other third-parties have been stepping in to fill the void but it looks like Apple is picky about who picks up the slack for their poorly received App map.
According to PocketNow Kishikawa’s small app was pulled from the store without much of an explanation…
“An application designed to replace the look, feel, and utility of Apple’s old maps application has disappeared from the App Store, just days after its debut.
ClassicMap, an application from developer Katsumi Kishikawa — who has two other applications on sale through Apple — is no longer available.
The free application popped up on the App Store on Monday and made waves for offering users a way to get some of the same look and feel as the old version of Apple’s maps, which used data from Google.”
When asked why the app was pulled Katsumi simply noted that it was Apple’s decision to pull the app, leaving many to speculate that since the app was powered by Google’s tech Apple didn’t want the app becoming too popularized on their phone. Unless Apple decides to give a public statement about why the app was removed users can only speculate about its removal.