Apple blocked the FlickType Watch keyboard then announced a clone of it (inputmag.com)

Article summary

Apple recently removed the FlickType keyboard from the App Store, citing that keyboards are not allowed on the Apple Watch, only to announce its own full software keyboard for the Apple Watch. The developer of FlickType believes this is not a coincidence and has already sued Apple for blocking his iPhone-based keyboard. Apple has a history of taking ideas from the developer community and building them into its products, known as being 'Sherlocked'. This move has sparked controversy among developers, who feel that Apple's actions are anti-competitive and unfair.

Main themes

• Apple's treatment of developers
• Anti-competitive behavior
• Sherlocked phenomenon
• App Store control
• Tech industry norms
• Developer-community relations

What commenters say

• Apple's actions are seen as anti-competitive and unfair, particularly in blocking the FlickType keyboard and then releasing its own version.
• The developer of FlickType should have patented his idea to protect himself from Apple's actions.
• Acquiring the FlickType keyboard would have been a better move for Apple than blocking it and releasing its own version.
• Apple's behavior is not unusual in the tech industry, where companies often copy features from other apps and integrate them into their own products.
• The term 'Sherlocked' is used to describe the phenomenon of Apple releasing a feature that supplants or obviates third-party software.
• Some commenters believe that Apple's actions are a result of its desire to maintain control over the App Store and its revenue.
• Others argue that Apple's introduction of a system keyboard is a welcome addition, even if it means that independent developers are strong-armed off the platform.
• The controversy surrounding Apple's actions has sparked a debate about the company's character and its treatment of developers and users.