News / All news / The apps that Apple does not want you to use

They are the applications that Apple has tried to stop the world from using.

Send me to heaven

What is it: A mobile “sports” game

How does it work: Users are challenged to throw their mobile phones as high into the air as possible (and presumably catch them again on the way back down). It uses the phones accelerometers to measure how it flies in the air.

Why Apple rejected it: For “encouraging behaviour that could result in damage to the user’s device.”

Is it available elsewhere: Yes, on Android phones through Google Play.

Scratch

What is it: An app that displayed stories, games and animations made by children

How does it work: It allows children to learn rudimentary programming language

Why Apple rejected it: The programming language called Squeak, developed by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, could be used to create programmes of their own.

Is it available elsewhere: No, despite writing to Apple’s Steve Jobs, the technology wizards behind it failed to get Apple to shift its position. Look through this service.

Obama Trampoline

What is it: A game that allows users to bounce politicians around a cartoon Oval Office

How does it work: Select one of 18 politicians from Barack Obama to Sarah Palin and shake the phone to make them bounce on a trampoline and pop balloons

Why was it rejected: Apple does not approve of ridiculing public figures.

Is it available elsewhere: No, the developers have not made a version yet for other devices.

Tawkon Radiation Detector

What is it: A programme that calculates exposure to electromagnetic radiation from phones and mobile phone masts

How does it work: Based on environmental conditions, distances from masts and how much you use your phone, it provides a summary of how much radiation you may be been exposed to. The idea was to help those concerned about their exposure monitor it

Why Apple rejected it: Apple feared it may scare people and cause confusion.

Is it available elsewhere: On Google’s Android devices.

Wikileaks

What is it: A way to access and read classified documents

How does it work: It provides searchable access to the Wikileaks site, allowing the secret documents to be read while on the move

Why Apple rejected it: Apple deemed it a potential threat to iPhone users and said it failed to meet a requirement in its terms and conditions about not making personal attacks on individuals.

Is it available elsewhere: Yes, on Android.

Ghetto Tweets

What is it: An app that converts your friends Twitter posts into slang

How does it work: It syncs with Twitter to filter friend Tweets, turning their words into a slang that includes the words “gangsta” and “iPhizzle”. It made for a hilarious way to see how Stephen Fry would have sounded if he had been born in a different neighbourhood

Why Apple rejected it: It was swamped with complaints and deemed it offensive.

Is it available elsewhere: No.

I am Rich

What is it: An app that does nothing but costs $1,000

How does it work: People with too much money pay for the app and it displays a red diamond in the back ground with the catchphrase “I am Rich”

Why Apple rejected it: No explanation was given, but the reason should be obvious. Eight people downloaded it before it was banned.

Is it available elsewhere: Yes, an exact copy is available on Android for free.

Me so holy

What is it: Paste a picture of your head onto the body of holy figures

How does it work: take a picture of yourself, chose a religion and paste your face on the body of Jesus or other religious figures

Why Apple rejected it: It was deemed to be “objectionable content”.

Is it available elsewhere: No.

Pocket Girlfriend

What is it: A picture of an attractive woman who responds to users

How does it work: The user can select a “girlfriend” from a number of photos – some in their underwear admittedly. A set of stock responses are available such as “Why would I want to talk about my feelings.” Or the user can programme in their own responses. It also offers the opportunity to augment the virtual “girlfriend” by buying her a breast enlargement

Why Apple rejected it: Apple felt it was demeaning to women. Or perhaps worried about the kind of men who might download it.

Is it available elsewhere: Yes, on Android.

Dirty Fingers

What is it: A bikini clad girl cleans smudges off the screen

How does it work: Placing a finger on the screen to leave a fingerprint resulted in a girl in a bikini appearing to wipe it away

Why Apple rejected it: Clearly it is just filthy.

Is it available elsewhere: Yes, on Android.