I figure that Venmedio wants to avoid the backlash associated with having a paid upgrade, but I am worried this does not bode well for the long-term life of the product.
Category: Apps
David Smith gives a very straightforward explanation of how to get into Apple’s new affiliate program. Of course, I am still [confused about the the program’s “privacy policy” requirements](https://johnkiv.us/2013/08/23/apples-new-affiliate-program-and-website-privacy-policies/).
Apple recently rolled out a [new affiliate program](https://phgconsole.performancehorizon.com/login/itunes) managed by PHG. Unfortunately, I cannot figure out whether this program does or does not require a privacy policy on new applicants’ websites. In Apple’s [FAQ about the new program](http://www.apple.com/itunes/affiliates/resources/documentation/faq_en.html) Apple says reasons for a rejected application may include:
> [The site] [f]ails to clearly state an online privacy policy to visitors.
and in the Terms and Conditions associated with the program, Apple and PHG state that:
> (g) [the Publisher of the website] shall provide a clear and conspicuous link to its privacy policy from each page on its Site;
> (h) [the Publisher of the website] shall include a statement in its privacy policy that PHG and/or Advertiser (or another third party, where applicable) may use code or cookies on Publisher’s website to track the performance of Advertiser’s marketing efforts, and that no personally identifiable information is collected in such process;
Yet, a [number](http://shawnblanc.net) of [prominent](http://www.macdrifter.com) [sites](http://david-smith.org/about/), that I assume are part of the new program, seem to have no privacy policy. Does this mean that Apple and PHG are not enforcing this part of the Terms and Conditions? I cannot tell.[^fn1]
[^fn1]: Before I submitted my site to join the new affiliate program, I added a basic [privacy policy](https://johnkiv.us/privacy-policy/) to my site that include the required language from the Terms and Conditions.
Categories
Simplenote Relaunch Coming
I used to use Simplenote as my primary note taking system, but I moved over to [Notesy](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/notesy-for-dropbox/id386095500?mt=8&at=10l5TL) when Simplenote started to show its age. I hope that the new versions of Simplenote are great.
A [new version of ReadKit](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/readkit/id588726889?mt=12&at=10l5TL)[^f4625], has been released with [new sharing options](http://webinhq.com/blog/brand-new-icon-sharing-and-more/). I really, really want to love this program and use it as my Mac FeedWrangler client. I never seem to never be able to get a sync to complete with it, however.
[^f4625]: Affiliate Link (as is the post link.)
It seems like the legal world is the only place that cannot let go of binders full of paper.
Categories
Post with Editorial
It took some configuration, but now it works.
Categories
Downcast for Mac Released
Following in the footsteps of [Instacast](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Finstacast-podcast-client%252Fid577056377%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30), Downcast has released a [Mac App](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fdowncast%252Fid668429425%253Fmt%253D12%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^f0837]. Also, in celebration of that release, the [Downcast iOS app](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fdowncast%252Fid393858566%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30) is on sale.
[^f0837]: Affiliate Link (as is the post link and all app links in this post.)
Reeder developer Silvio Rizzi tweeted a couple of updates this morning:
1. [Reeder 2 for iPad will go into beta this week.](https://twitter.com/reederapp/status/362196924079685633) He also says that he anticipates submitting the app to the App Store in August.
2. [Reeder for Mac still needs work](https://twitter.com/reederapp/status/362197176002166785), but he says there will be a public beta.
Personally, I am most looking forward to Reeder for Mac and Reeder for iPhone[^fn1]
[^fn1]: Unfortunately, I have a feeling we won’t be a getting a new version of Reeder for iPhone before, at least, the end of October.
I really like David’s take and his recommendations. I would like to add one more recommendation: **Remove apps with In-App purchases from the “Top Free Apps” listing.** I do not care if they are listed in some new category, but they should not be listed with apps that are actually free. Being listed there just gives them a change to sucker more people into buying costly in-app purchases.
Justin gives a great summary of everything involved. His concluding section is especially strong:
> The vulnerability isn’t Baliç’s. It’s Apple’s. He just discovered it and Apple deemed it severe enough that their response was to take down their entire developer program until they can close the hole.
> I’ve been incredibly vocal about the inconvenience that the downtime has caused me, but knowing how big of an issue it is, I’m fine with Apple taking their time to get the fix right.
> I am not fine, however, with them trying to paint themselves the victim of malicious intent when in reality it looks as though someone properly reported a vulnerability in their code to them.
> No one comes out of this looking clean, but it could have been a lot worse if a more dark hacker discovered the vulnerability before Baliç.
I *really* want this.
Federico Viticci with one of his trademark, comprehensive reviews of an iOS automation app. Since I already use [IFTTT](http://www.ifttt.com), I am definitely going to look into this.
Since I use Google Maps as my primary maps application, I am really looking forward to this.
A list of great apps that are currently free[^fn1].
[^fn1]: It appears to be related to Apple’s App Store being 5 years old. There also appears to be some confusion as to if that is *really* the reason.
> On its own, Instacast is a great app that deserves a spot on your Mac if you listen to podcasts. It’s been deliberately designed to provide all the important features you need without overloading you with needless extras. Coupled with its iOS counterparts, however, Instacast is an absolute pleasure to use. The sync feature is powerful and automatic, letting you jump seamlessly between devices, perfectly matching today’s mobile lifestyles.
I completely agree. I am [really happy in the Instacast world](https://johnkiv.us/2013/06/14/living-comfortably-in-the-instacast-ecosystem/).
Even though Google Reader shut down yesterday, I know a lot of people are still looking for an alternative to use. This breakdown from Robert Agcaoli is especially helpful for those who are concerned about how the solutions’ Web UI works.
An updated version of Reeder is out that includes sync with [Feed Wrangler](http://feedwrangler.net). Unfortunately, this update does not support Smart Streams[^fn1].
[^fn1]: Basically, this means I might use it sometimes, but that the native Feed Wrangler iOS app will be the primary way I read RSS feeds on my iPhone until the new version of Reeder comes along
Another good summary of the various Google Reader replacement options.
I am glad that Reeder for iPhone has joined Reeder for iPad and Mac in the “getting a major new update” camp.[^fn1] I am disappointed to learn, however, that those updates will not be available until after the Google Reader shutdown. On the bright side, I figured this would happen and have been setting things up Feed Wrangler-centric and Reeder-less workflow for a few weeks now.
[^fn1]: Especially since the first cut of Feed Wrangler support will apparently not include Smart Streams.