An Apple developer has leaked the rules document governing the new Mac App Store – and it’s not good news for Java.
One line in the App Store Review Guidelines says any apps using “deprecated or optionally-installed technologies”, such as Java, will be rejected from the store.
Apple also updated Mac OS X, noting the version of Java is deprecated, which means it’s essentially retired, that Apple no longer approves of its use.
“As of the release of Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 3, the version of Java that is ported by Apple, and that ships with Mac OS X, is deprecated,” the release notes said. “This means that the Apple-produced runtime will not be maintained at the same level, and may be removed from future versions of Mac OS X.”
“The Java runtime shipping in Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, will continue to be supported and maintained through the standard support cycles of those products,” it added.
Mac App Store
CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the Mac App Store last night, saying it would be open for consumers in three months, while developers can start submitting their creations next month.
The approval process for the App Store for iPhones, iPads and iPods is notoriously difficult. While some apps are approved in days, others are reportedly rejected after months with little or no explanation.
Aside from the Java clause – and the usual bans on pornography and excessive violence – Apple will reject apps that crash, “exhibit bugs”, have hidden features or use non-public APIs, the document suggested. Apple also won’t allow apps that are listd as betas, demos or trials.
As in the App Store, the Mac version is also reserving the right to refuse apps that merely repeat existing ones.
After getting into trouble over bans on political commentary, Apple added one caveat: “Professional political satirists and humorists are exempt from the ban on offensive or mean-spirited commentary.”
And it seems Apple isn’t too keen to hear about its rivals. “Apps with metadata that mentions the name of any other computer platform will be rejected,” the document adds.
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