Apple director Shoemaker developed 'fart,' 'wiz' apps for iPhone
Phillip Shoemaker, the director of Apple's App Store, has a number of applications available for sale on the iPhone, including a urination simulator called "iWiz," and a flatulence-themed program dubbed "Animal Farts."
As first revealed Wednesday by Wired, Shoemaker is responsible for the company GrayNoodle, which sells seven applications on the App Store. Shoemaker ran GrayNoodle before he took over as director of application technology at Apple in March 2009, but three of the applications -- "iWiz," "Medical Poetry" and "101 Cocktails" went on sale after he began work at the Cupertino, Calif., company.
After he was informed of the story, Shoemaker "purged his Twitter account... and updated his LinkedIn profile to remove mention of GrayNoodle," author Brian X. Chen wrote. The websites, however, were archived and are available for download in a .zip file.
Shoemaker declined to comment for the story, but an Apple spokeswoman said that Shoemaker was hired partially because of his background as a developer for the iPhone.
Of course, Shoemaker and GrayNoodle are far from unique in having applications with sophomoric humor available on iOS devices. In fact, there are hundreds of "fart" themed applications available for the iPhone. Initially, when the App Store opened in 2008, Apple blocked such applications, but eventually the company relaxed its policy.
Apple controls what is available on the App Store by reviewing each application available for download. The company has come under fire from critics who object to Apple's rejections for reasons such as "minimum functionality" or "overtly sexual". Some applications, such as a storefront for a beachwear seller, were mistakenly removed in a purging of thousands of adult-themed applications earlier this year.
Wired spoke with one developer who had a satirical religious application rejected from the App Store due to its content in mid-2009. Ben Kahle, developer of "Me So Holy," reportedly said that he finds it hypocritical that the director of the App Store is allowed to sell software some might find inappropriate.
"If they're going to do things like this, why can't I do apps like 'Me So Holy?'" Kahle said.
Apple also reportedly has a policy against company employees releasing software for the App Store without company approval. However, given that it takes time for Apple to review and approve software, it's possible that the three App Store applications released by GrayNoodle after Shoemaker began work at Apple were actually submitted before he started the position.
The "iWiz" application from GrayNoodle sells for $0.99 on the App Store. Its description reads, "Simulate the experience of urinating for a long time. Convince your friends that you'll never stop. iWiz allows you simulate urination: faster, slower, or just a trickle." Released on April 17, 2009, it has no user reviews.
"Animal Farts" was released on the App Store on Jan. 19, 2009, before Shoemaker began work at Apple. It has 38 reviews, and 21 of them are one star. Users can press buttons on the screen to make animals, such as a panda bear, "fart," "poot," "drop" and "wiz." Both it and "iWiz" are rated for ages 4 and up.
As first revealed Wednesday by Wired, Shoemaker is responsible for the company GrayNoodle, which sells seven applications on the App Store. Shoemaker ran GrayNoodle before he took over as director of application technology at Apple in March 2009, but three of the applications -- "iWiz," "Medical Poetry" and "101 Cocktails" went on sale after he began work at the Cupertino, Calif., company.
After he was informed of the story, Shoemaker "purged his Twitter account... and updated his LinkedIn profile to remove mention of GrayNoodle," author Brian X. Chen wrote. The websites, however, were archived and are available for download in a .zip file.
Shoemaker declined to comment for the story, but an Apple spokeswoman said that Shoemaker was hired partially because of his background as a developer for the iPhone.
Of course, Shoemaker and GrayNoodle are far from unique in having applications with sophomoric humor available on iOS devices. In fact, there are hundreds of "fart" themed applications available for the iPhone. Initially, when the App Store opened in 2008, Apple blocked such applications, but eventually the company relaxed its policy.
Apple controls what is available on the App Store by reviewing each application available for download. The company has come under fire from critics who object to Apple's rejections for reasons such as "minimum functionality" or "overtly sexual". Some applications, such as a storefront for a beachwear seller, were mistakenly removed in a purging of thousands of adult-themed applications earlier this year.
Wired spoke with one developer who had a satirical religious application rejected from the App Store due to its content in mid-2009. Ben Kahle, developer of "Me So Holy," reportedly said that he finds it hypocritical that the director of the App Store is allowed to sell software some might find inappropriate.
"If they're going to do things like this, why can't I do apps like 'Me So Holy?'" Kahle said.
Apple also reportedly has a policy against company employees releasing software for the App Store without company approval. However, given that it takes time for Apple to review and approve software, it's possible that the three App Store applications released by GrayNoodle after Shoemaker began work at Apple were actually submitted before he started the position.
The "iWiz" application from GrayNoodle sells for $0.99 on the App Store. Its description reads, "Simulate the experience of urinating for a long time. Convince your friends that you'll never stop. iWiz allows you simulate urination: faster, slower, or just a trickle." Released on April 17, 2009, it has no user reviews.
"Animal Farts" was released on the App Store on Jan. 19, 2009, before Shoemaker began work at Apple. It has 38 reviews, and 21 of them are one star. Users can press buttons on the screen to make animals, such as a panda bear, "fart," "poot," "drop" and "wiz." Both it and "iWiz" are rated for ages 4 and up.
Comments
Wow.
What a gas! But let's give him some wizzing space. It just shows that there is some room to have a sense of humor in what is, otherwise, a very focused, sober, seriously-minded company.
Yea ... lets not been too quick with the kudos.
Apple doesn't EVER like its employees making a name for themselves in any marked way (other than Steve). They are not banned from blogging but they are usually prompted to keep Apples name and business OFF the blog. This will likely not bode well for the guy I'm afraid.
Think about it... name someone who has INTENTIONALLY made a personality for him or herself while STILL in the employee of Apple. Leaving prototype phones on barstools and or being (allegedly) involved in one or more million dollar kickback schemes does NOT count. Also before someone brings it up... if the persons last name rhymes with 'ozneack' that too doesn't count. (Since The Woz is still an Apple employee last I read).
Thumbs down.
I see from the most recent articles on giz that he also was following at least 16 escorts and porn stars on twitter. For the guy in charge of purify the app store for us, that is hilarious. If he leaves, maybe Apple can hire the guy from Vivid to come be the censor.
This story does not enhance the image of Apple. I did not even bother reading it when I saw what it was about and how it was approached. Some things are best left for people whoses mind likes to get involved the that type of material.
Thumbs down.
Is AI only supposed to post stories that enhance Apple's image? You should visit this site for that type of 'reporting'. It's all sunshine and rainbows there.
Yea ... lets not been to quick with the kudos.
Apple doesn't EVER like its employees making a name for themselves in any marked way (other than Steve). They are not banned from blogging but they are usually prompted to keep Apples name and business OFF the blog. This will likely not bode well for the guy I'm afraid.
Think about it... name someone who has INTENTIONALLY made a personality for him or herself while STILL in the employee of Apple. Leaving prototype phones on barstools and or being (allegedly) involved in one or more million dollar kickback schemes does NOT count.
I am pretty sure that Apple is not thrilled with this publicity but as with most things like this, given time it too shall pass.
It's not like there's only one fart app on the store, and it's only from the director's company.
What's important to the story is the roving, phony outrage.
1. Apple is evil for rejecting too many questionable apps.
2. Apple is evil for not rejecting enough questionable apps.
3. Google rejects apps too, and permits questionable ones, but is not evil.
In short, Apple is always evil, and always evil in ways no other company is evil.
Imagine if this story had been “App developer GrayNoodle forced to shut down multiple app projects, under threat of refusal to hire company head Shoemaker.” Anti-Apple trolls would then be up in arms that Apple “strong-armed” the little guy.
The only thing of interest to the story to me is knowing that an actual down-in-the-trenches app developer (or at least someone involved in app development) is now an insider in a position of power at Apple—and I like that!
With regard to censorship, The Apple Community has no freedom of speech.
People really should be able to put whatever they want on their iToys, and apps should not have to exclusively funnel through the Apple iTunes Apps Store.
then they hire someone into a crucial role who actually understands the full spectrum of the app market including apps like this. now everyone complains that apple hired such a person...
wake up people and stop bitching. apple is doing the absolute right thing here, and what apps a director wrote before getting hired should be irrelevant. find another story, one that's actually compelling.
-zero
so first everyone complains that apple is too prude and won't accept fart apps, etc.
then they hire someone into a crucial role who actually understands the full spectrum of the app market including apps like this. now everyone complains that apple hired such a person...
wake up people and stop bitching. apple is doing the absolute right thing here, and what apps a director wrote before getting hired should be irrelevant. find another story, one that's actually compelling.
-zero
There is evidence that not all of the them were submitted before he was hired. I don't think anyone has said they shouldn't have hired him. Just seems odd to have someone with a public interest in porn and off colour apps be put charge of protecting our freedom from those same things.
If Apple censors the fart apps, they scream. If someone develops fart apps, they scream.
It's not like there's only one fart app on the store, and it's only from the director's company.
What's important to the story is the roving, phony outrage.
Who's outraged. It is funny. Stop with the strawmen.
In fact, there are hundreds of "fart" themed applications available for the iPhone. Initially, when the App Store opened in 2008, Apple blocked such applications, but eventually the company relaxed its policy.
So, basically, if you're having trouble getting a fart out, just relax your, uh, policy. That's as close as this piece gets to being newsworthy.
I am pretty sure that Apple is not thrilled with this publicity but as with most things like this, given time it too shall pass.
Oh I have no doubt it will and I have no ill will to the guy at all... but one of the posters above was applauding the idea that Apple was being more 'laid back' and open... and my comment was simply that wasn't actually the case. Apple actively discourages its employees from interacting in the online world while at the same time making it obvious they ARE and Apple employee.
Sure employees can twitter and blog but just don't let Apple management catch you continually pointing out the fact that you are an Apple employee, your days will be numbered.
This story does not enhance the image of Apple. I did not even bother reading it when I saw what it was about and how it was approached. Some things are best left for people whoses mind likes to get involved the that type of material.
Thumbs down.
You judged an article without even reading it?
Thumbs down.
It shows that this guy has experienced both sides of the process as developer and approver. Furthermore, he has a sense of humour.
Thumbs up.
There is evidence that not all of the them were submitted before he was hired. I don't think anyone has said they shouldn't have hired him. Just seems odd to have someone with a public interest in porn and off colour apps be put charge of protecting our freedom from those same things.
I'd rather someone with real world experience was in charge of this process than some inexperienced prudes.
Nothing to read here, move along.
Must be a very slow news day.