Nullriver's short-lived iPhone application NetShare, which turns your iPhone into a wireless modem for your laptop, might not be returning to the App Store after all.
Earlier in the week, Nullriver received a response from Apple saying the removal of NetShare was a mistake that required "technical review." It turns out that was a blanket term, because in a phone interview today Nullriver's CEO Adam Dan said Apple was reviewing user contracts with providers, including AT&T.
Though Apple is continuing to make Nullriver sit and wait, we've already received confirmation from AT&T spokesperson Brad Mays that tethering with iPhone is not allowed. He cited a clause in AT&T's Terms and Conditions:
"Furthermore, plans(unless specifically designated for tethering usage) cannot be used for any applications that tether the device (through use of, including without limitation, connection kits, other phone/PDA-to computer accessories, Bluetooth® or any other wireless technology) to Personal Computers (including without limitation, laptops), or other equipment for any purpose."
Nullriver is one of a few other iPhone apps recently removed from the App Store. Around the same time, BoxOffice inexplicably disappeared from App Store, leaving its developer confused. Later in the week, Apple removed a $1,000 iPhone application called I Am Rich.
Apple's demonstrated fickle nature has led Nullriver's CEO to question the iPhone App Store's approval process.
"From what I can tell their approval process is not very strict at all," Dan said. "It's more technical than content related is what it seems like to us. I think they run it, start it up and if it doesn't crash they approve it. They brainlessly click through, and if there's problems they remove it is what it seems like."
Dan added that his experience with Apple has tempered his views of the company.
"They're shooting themselves in the foot these days; they're probably just understaffed," Dan said. "We'll see how it goes. Hopefully they don't get too much of the bad press and it doesn't ruin the iPhone, because I want to develop for it."
Apple did not return phone calls before press time.
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