Update: The iTunes Review Process

This is a follow up to my previous post about the terrible application review mechanism that has been implemented with the new iTunes Application Store. Basically, people had been able to review iPhone and iPod touch applications without buying them (or just downloading them in the case of free applications). This led to pathetic, stupid and even racist reviews infiltrating what is known as Apple’s walled garden.

Prior to recently, the walled garden was being vandalized. Thankfully, in recent weeks Apple has silently changed their review process. Now, you have had to have downloaded/purchased an application before you have the right to review it.

To me, a person who doesn’t want to leave the walled garden, this is excellent news. It does two things for the iTunes Store. First, it prevents idiots writing trashy reviews that are incoherent, full of abbreviations and even racist and derogatory remarks. More importantly, it gives some legitimacy to the Applications Store and allows it to be used for it’s original purpose; to inform people about the quality of an application before buying it. We will now only see people who have forked out the cash to buy an application reviewing them based on their experience and not just by looking at the pictures. It’s no lie when I say that only dedicated, helpful people are the one’s writing reviews. Finally their valuable word will be able to be heard above the noise and we will see useful information that will help us in making a final judgement about an application.

Unfortunatly, there will still be noise. There will still the people who, however well intentioned they are, will only write “This app is bad. Don’t buy it” but at least Apple is on the right track. I mean, you just can’t prevent people speaking their minds (in the US anyway, it’s much more clear cut for you people).