Apple just removed Airfoil Speakers Touch 3 from the iOS app store, despite claims from developer Rogue Amoeba that the app complies with all of Apple’s rules and developer agreements. What gives, Apple?
Airfoil Speakers Touch is rad, which is why this bothers us. Since 2009, the app has allowed you to stream audio from your computer — Mac or PC — to your iOS device. Last month, Rogue Amoeba released Airfoil Speakers Touch 3, introduced the ability to push audio from one iOS device to another. All signs point to the removal being somehow linked to this new functionality. Still, Apple hasn’t given Rogue Amoeba Software a concrete reason for the app’s removal:
We first heard from Apple about this decision two days ago, and we’ve been discussing the pending removal with them since then. However, we still do not yet have a clear answer on why Apple has chosen to remove Airfoil Speakers Touch. Needless to say, we’re quite disappointed with their decision, and we’re working hard to once again make the application available for you, our users.
Rogue Amoeba has appealed the app’s removal.
In fairness, it’s possible that Apple has some security concerns about this type of functionality. On the other hand, could it be that Apple is using its hand of god to keep Airfoil from competing with its curent or forthcoming products? [Rogue Amoeba Software via Techmeme]