View this article at: http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/08/08/apple.pulls.i.am.rich/

Friday, Aug 08, 2008 12:05pm

Apple pulls $1,000 app from...

An infamous application has become the latest title to be pulled from the App Store despite earlier approval by Apple, writes the LA Times. I Am Rich, which was priced at $1,000 but did nothing except display a glowing gem, has been removed from listings after only a day of availability. The app's creator, Armin Heinrich, claims his work does not violate Apple's terms of service, and that he has not been given an official reason for the takedown.

Before it disappeared the software was bought by just eight people, including six in the US, one in Germany and another in France. It generated $5,600 in revenue for Heinrich, and $2,400 for Apple, but may have been removed due to the possibility of customers accidentally spending money on it.

"I saw this app with a few friends and we jokingly clicked 'buy' thinking it was a joke, to see what would happen," read one review of I Am Rich. "THIS IS NO JOKE...DO NOT BUY THIS APP AND APPLE PLEASE REMOVE THIS FROM THE APP STORE."

Some developers have complained about the restrictiveness of Apple's iPhone development terms, which even technically prevent coders from sharing tips via forums or e-mail. The company has also pulled two other apps, BoxOffice and NetShare, without offering an explanation as to why.