Apple launching iPad with explicit content in App Store
After nearly two years of criticism of its censorship of adult content in the iPhone App Store, Apple appears to be gearing up to sell explicit content for both the iPad and the iPhone and iPod touch.
Links to new "explicit software" categories in iTunes indicate that Apple plans to finally deliver adult content for both the iPad and for existing iPhone OS devices, segregated from other content with parental controls in the same way that iTunes has long sold music with explicit lyrics.
Over the last year, Apple refined a ratings system for App Store software titles that enables users to restrict the level of software that can be downloaded through their copy of iTunes.
iTunes parental controls
The system uses the same parental controls preferences (below) that can restrict movies to the MPAA-designated "G, PG, PG-13, and R" ratings, or TV shows to the broadcaster-initiated "TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14 and TV-MA" classifications.
Currently, Apple has its own rating system for App Store software titles, which sets thresholds at "4+, 9+, 12+, and 17+." However, the company has prohibited the sale of explicit software that includes pornography or other adult subject matter, at times removing titles it deemed obscene.
This policy has attracted widespread criticism due to the fact that adult content is freely available over the web in the iPhone's Mobile Safari browser. Any App Store titles that incorporate an embedded web browser, including Facebook, are listed as 17+ for this reason, and can potentially display content that is more explicit than Apple allows in native App Store titles.
An iPad Killer App?
Parental controls in iTunes also allow users to block access to the iPhone's web browser and the ability to open the iTunes Store to download any apps at all, in addition to the content ratings settings. But iTunes also has a separate option to block "explicit content," which until now has apparently been limited to restricting access to music with explicit song lyrics.
By enabling developers to publish "explicit" software titles in the App Store, Apple will provide the potential for a new, unanticipated killer app for iPad: digital interactive magazines, comics, and games that present adult subject matter to audiences that want them while also enabling parents to prevent access to such content within iTunes' preferences.
Access to adult content has long been credited with the success and popularity of technology platforms. It is widely held that JVC's VHS videotape format won out over Sony's Betamax due to the fact that JVC did not attempt to block distribution of adult content in the early 80s. The explosion in popularity of the consumer web has also been credited to its ability to deliver unfettered access to adult content.
At the same time, Apple is under intense pressure from activist groups seeking to ban all access to adult material, including one group that addressed Steve Jobs at last year's shareholder meeting in a diatribe that implored Apple to not distribute CBS TV sitcoms in iTunes (which were originally broadcast over the air) because they contained mildly suggestive scenes.
Links to new "explicit software" categories in iTunes indicate that Apple plans to finally deliver adult content for both the iPad and for existing iPhone OS devices, segregated from other content with parental controls in the same way that iTunes has long sold music with explicit lyrics.
Over the last year, Apple refined a ratings system for App Store software titles that enables users to restrict the level of software that can be downloaded through their copy of iTunes.
iTunes parental controls
The system uses the same parental controls preferences (below) that can restrict movies to the MPAA-designated "G, PG, PG-13, and R" ratings, or TV shows to the broadcaster-initiated "TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14 and TV-MA" classifications.
Currently, Apple has its own rating system for App Store software titles, which sets thresholds at "4+, 9+, 12+, and 17+." However, the company has prohibited the sale of explicit software that includes pornography or other adult subject matter, at times removing titles it deemed obscene.
This policy has attracted widespread criticism due to the fact that adult content is freely available over the web in the iPhone's Mobile Safari browser. Any App Store titles that incorporate an embedded web browser, including Facebook, are listed as 17+ for this reason, and can potentially display content that is more explicit than Apple allows in native App Store titles.
An iPad Killer App?
Parental controls in iTunes also allow users to block access to the iPhone's web browser and the ability to open the iTunes Store to download any apps at all, in addition to the content ratings settings. But iTunes also has a separate option to block "explicit content," which until now has apparently been limited to restricting access to music with explicit song lyrics.
By enabling developers to publish "explicit" software titles in the App Store, Apple will provide the potential for a new, unanticipated killer app for iPad: digital interactive magazines, comics, and games that present adult subject matter to audiences that want them while also enabling parents to prevent access to such content within iTunes' preferences.
Access to adult content has long been credited with the success and popularity of technology platforms. It is widely held that JVC's VHS videotape format won out over Sony's Betamax due to the fact that JVC did not attempt to block distribution of adult content in the early 80s. The explosion in popularity of the consumer web has also been credited to its ability to deliver unfettered access to adult content.
At the same time, Apple is under intense pressure from activist groups seeking to ban all access to adult material, including one group that addressed Steve Jobs at last year's shareholder meeting in a diatribe that implored Apple to not distribute CBS TV sitcoms in iTunes (which were originally broadcast over the air) because they contained mildly suggestive scenes.
Comments
I understand the line Apple tried to avoid crossing. But you can be a perfectly great book store that caters to all age groups. All you have to do is put the good stuff behind the magic curtain.
There is no expectation to see "Citizen Kane" at a porn shop, why does everyone have to provide porn?
Censorship in this realm doesn't make a lot of sense. It just makes hypocrites out of us all.
They don't have a dedicated War Movies section in iTunes Store, a category I enjoy with a lot of classics, but they will be having a porno apps section?
They don't have a dedicated War Movies section in iTunes Store, a category I enjoy with a lot of classics, but they will be having a porno apps section?
not exactly porn app, just explicit.
It could mean a lot of things.
It was inevitable I suppose, and I suspect this news will meet with fanfare to those businesses that produce such material. But I'm disappointed, it will likely overtake these devices / app store service as it has the web.
The app store and/or itunes will likely become bloated on this stuff.
But I'm disappointed, it will likely overtake these devices / app store service as it has the web.
Just don't go into those categories. Try not to be a fool.
Just don't go into those categories. Try not to be a fool.
I'm thinking of the attention this will gain in discussion, media focus, stats relative to app/media sales etc. overshadowing the rest of the store. To your point, I'm aware of how to stay clear of it.
Just don't go into those categories. Try not to be a fool.
Agreed. You don't want it, don't use it. I fall into that category.
That is really NOT within Apple's (nor maybe any other tech company's) brand or corporate values.
Freedom of speech is against Apple's values. WTF?
Come on, seriously.....freedom of speech?
Go into Starbucks and ask them where the Penthouses are. They have newspapers there for you to read, why not porn? Every retailer need not sell porn, that's why. It's not a "freedom" issue at all.
Maybe you can get with some minority app developers, convince them to make some porn apps and have Apple reject them. Then flog Apple with racist, free speech robbing accusations. Figure out another reason to need Apple for your porn, but don't drag the Constitution into it. It is a ridiculous argument.
At the same time, Apple is under intense pressure from activist groups seeking to ban all access to adult material, including one group that addressed Steve Jobs at last year's shareholder meeting in a diatribe that implored Apple to not distribute CBS TV sitcoms in iTunes (which were originally broadcast over the air) because they contained mildly suggestive scenes.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
F that. Stop censoring and let people decide. I am sick of people and groups trying to control what I want to see. Good for Apple.
Come on, seriously.....freedom of speech?
Go into Starbucks and ask them where the Penthouses are. They have newspapers there for you to read, why not porn? Every retailer need not sell porn, that's why. It's not a "freedom" issue at all.
Maybe you can get with some minority app developers, convince them to make some porn apps and have Apple reject them. Then flog Apple with racist, free speech robbing accusations. Figure out another reason to need Apple for your porn, but don't drag the Constitution into it. It is a ridiculous argument.
I am sorry I have to agree with TECHSTUD on this. Apple sells computers and computer like devices. In this day and age we need not censor what you can view. This is personal Choice. Apple is not selling Nintendo DS or Wii's. Sorry but you are wrong. Plus your analogy comparison of Apple and Starbucks is just not even making sense.
Apple as a censor never worked. Where do you begin it and where does it end? Apple doesn't and never owned the inteernet. I'm glad they've come to their senses and I
applaud them for this. Bravo
Apple.
They are not censors. They are retailers, and they fill their servers with what they feel like filling them with. It has nothing to do with anything except Apple's choice in what they feel like selling to their customers.
They seem perfectly happy letting your porn dollars be spent elsewhere. Go find your Flash based porn (and not porn) somewhere else, too. Just don't bring up censorship, freedom of speech, or any argument other than a retailers choice to sell what they feel like selling.
Hell, they even retain the right to sell to whom they please.
I am sorry I have to agree with TECHSTUD on this. Apple sells computers and computer like devices. In this day and age we need not censor what you can view. This is personal Choice. Apple is not selling Nintendo DS or Wii's. Sorry but you are wrong. Plus your analogy comparison of Apple and Starbucks is just not even making sense.
You can view all the porn you want on your Apple computer, Apple iPhone, and Apple TV. They just don't sell it. What's so hard for you to understand?