Remember that NetShare debacle back in July? The iPhone tethering app, which to everyone’s surprise appeared on the App Store, was then pulled down, appeared again (for who knows how many times), and then finally disappeared for good. The lucky few who bought the app continued using it happily.
Nullriver had been in talks with Apple – maybe ‘talks’ is exaggeration considering the conversation was a little one-sided – over getting NetShare back on the App Store. After more than a month, Nullriver finally announces that Apple has banned the application from the App Store.
Looks like Apple has decided they will not be allowing any tethering applications in the AppStore. As such, NetShare will not be available in the iTunes AppStore. We are seeing a lot of similar reports from various developers who’s applications were abruptly removed and banned from the AppStore without any violations of the terms of service. This is all unfortunate news for the iPhone platform end-users.
Not just that. Those who had bought the application when it was on the store, a wholesome $10, find that it has suddenly disappeared from their iPhones! I guess this is the kill switch Steve was talking about! We’re waiting to see whether there is a refund in the works.
Whether this is Apple readying their tethering deal with AT&T, or just being a plan on bully, is yet to be known. AT&T already has a tethering option on their other plans and there is no reason why the iPhone shouldn’t have this.
