Apple’s iPhone/iPod Touch App Store continues to draw some heavy criticism this week. It appears that some applications which could be considered to compete with Apple’s own apps are being rejected because they duplicate functionality. Seeking Alpha reports that the a developer created a program called Podcaster because it “duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section in iTunes.” Turns out Podcaster actually offers some features above and beyond what Apple currently offers–thusly making it an arguably better app.

The blogosphere is going crazy with cries of anti-competitive practices being used by Apple.  Then again…it’s Apple’s product, Apple’s phone, and Apple’s App Store…so, it seems to me that by right they can pretty much do whatever they want.  While they are doing themselves a favor by providing devs the ability to create and deploy apps via the App Store, Apple could easily give everyone a giant middle finger and pull the plug.  That being said, it does seem like a pretty lame thing to do.

This follows on the heels of reports of applications getting rejected based on “limited utility,” such as the ill-fated Pull My Finger app.  You can watch the video here or below.  A more detailed explanation of the rejection is here.  Many people are wondering what’s up with “limited utility.”  And why should this matter with regards to free applications?  Why is Koi Pond not considered to have “limited ability”?  Does the fact that Koi Pond is supposed to be soothing allow it to pass, while Pull My Finger is only humorous to some?  Or what about the More Cowbell application?  Its seems that part of the fun of having applications on your Smartphone is so that, for every useful application you’ve got, you can download at least three more which are stupid but fun…


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