Saturday, October 2, 2010

News: Viva la iPhone Bay?

Recently an app called IS Drive has appeared on the app store that allows people to access their ImageShack drive. The main issue is that the app can be configure to download torrents off of illegal fire sharing sites such as Mininova and The Pirate Bay.

This is strange of course because in the past Apple has been fiercely opposed to any kind of app that might promote piracy or other illegal activities. However, this app's acceptance through the app approval process maybe simple because no where does it say in it's name or description that is a torrenting app. Even it's creator says it isn't one, “I always had the thought that if I didn’t call the app a ‘torrent client,’ Apple would probably let it through the review process,” he told to Torrent Freak.

Still, the fact remains that this application is capable of downloading files illegally to an apple device. I doubt that the app or at least this version of it will be up on the app store for much longer. Then again, Apple has seemed to have a change of heart regarding app approval. As a result, lots of apps that were previously not permitted have arrived.

Usually I like to stay out of the whole piracy debate, but please, tell me what you think about the whole situation. Do you think it's good? Bad? Why? Do you even care?

47 comments:

  1. I think it's a good thing, its up to the individual, not apple, for how to use this app, if they wish to use it for downloading pirated material well then thats their prerogative.

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  2. Interesting. Apple has definitely eased up as far as what apps they will allow nowadays.

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  3. Well it is a violation of copy rights derp

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  4. Meh, I don't really care anyway. I never had a (decent) internet connection in the first place, so meh. I don't care.

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  5. But can you download and install pirated apps with it?

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  6. @MikeNeuman
    Possibly, but you wouldn't be able to install them without jailbreaking your iPhone or iPod Touch.

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  7. didn't think you could pirate apps for the iphone, interesting..

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  8. @christopher
    Yeah, it's possible if you download the right apps after jailbreaking.

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  9. I need to fix my iphone soon, i like this app lol

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  10. Need to get this for my iPhone now lol

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  11. hey, this is one of my more favorite posts from you :)

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  12. @Swift Love
    I have a feeling ye have yer sea legs, if ye know what I mean. ARGH.

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  13. I'd love a PB port...

    btw, you'd probably like my tech blog:

    http://technerdies.blogspot.com/

    it's the BOMB....

    following!

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  14. I don't have an iPhone either, so I don't really care :x

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  15. I want an i phone but the data plans are too much.

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  16. Well, now with ACTA just on the horizon, I don't think TBP is the only thing we have to worry about.

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  17. @Mr. Magnet
    Don't remind me about that evil bill.

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  18. It lookes like a decent enough app, i'll probably gonna get it myself now

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  19. Woot! Pireat bay is a decent guy, eh fights the power and doesn't afraid of anyone!

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  20. Holy shit this is awesome. It almost makes me want to get an iphone. I would also want to jailbreak it and tun it from a root shell though.

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  21. huh i can download at like 500kbs on my iphone. i hope this ap is still around so i get dl it.

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  22. as i always say: apple needs a good kick in the ass

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  23. It is hard to say because most people will just use it to pirate, while many others will use it for legitimate exchanges.

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  24. hmmm nice, i'll have to get this.

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  25. I don't have an iPhone so I kinda don't care, lol

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  26. one thing apple just doesn't get it... not matter how much you restrict your shitty overpriced toys, people will always find ways to overcome these restrictions
    I hate apple btw :D

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  27. I don't have an iPhone either.

    It's bad in the long run, but I don't really think it matters. Pirates gonna pirate!

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  28. hmm.. been looking to maybe get an iphone, and this kinda makes me uncertain again since i was now heading for the android and a htc maybe :/ ill have to read more to make up my mind! :)

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  29. Hmm thats pretty cool. I am glad Apple is relaxing their strict hold on the apps that get published. The greatest app I've gotten was the free VLC app on my iPad because I no longer have to convert movies to watch them on my iPad.

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  30. TPB will never come down !! Thanks for bringing this to my attention, this is truely awesome !!

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  31. Holy smokes. I guess they aren't concerned because of ACTA. If the gov't and ISPs can police illegal download activity through ACTA, then that absolves Apple of the largest part of their liability concerns, especially since most people have to agree to some small print that they can't even understand before actually using the product or software. Soooooooo.... I dunno. I'd be skeptical.

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  32. great post

    supporting & following you
    take care.

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  33. I guess this could be useful other than the fact that phone companies charge you far too much for bandwidth so that any amount you download to make it worthwhile will just be offset by the fact that you have to pay an extra hundred bucks for bandwidth charges.

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  34. Non iphone user here. I have a samsung eternity (ATT) this makes me wonder about getting to my IS acct. wonder if I coudl UL/DL through there deffinitly something to check out one night at work when im bored :>

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