Just prior to iPhone's launch in June of 2007, the mainstream media mocked Apple's leap into wireless mobile by crowning their handheld device the "Jesus Phone". A name that in hindsight turned out to be more accurate than anyone had ever anticipated.
Apple is back in the scorching spotlight today with another kind of Jesus Phone story, this time surrounding the comical religion spoofing app called "Me So Holy". This holier than thou iPhone application allows users to insert their own face inside iconic images of religious figures like Jesus, Mother Teresa or even the Pope. Simply choose your religion and then add the face of your saintly Grandmother onto the Virgin Mary.
Apple cited their now infamous iPhone SDK violation code Section 3.3.12 to creator Benjamin Kahle, making it clear that "Me So Holy" is offensive in some form or another. Apple offered no specific details about playing Jesus on the iPhone, only their standard email communication. Forcing Kahle to guess at what changes are required to gain Apple's approval.
“Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple’s reasonable judgment may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod touch users.” The company wrote to Kahle.
"Me So Holy" clearly takes a giant leap forward in religious humor, challenging all that is sacred for thousands of people who still burn candles in front of pictures of their favorite saints. To see Steve Jobs' face inserted into an image of well, Jesus, can be considered blasphemous to some. But so can a website called iPhone Savior or even following iPhone Jesus on Twitter.
"We feel that Apple is being too sensitive to its perceived user group and are disappointed that this otherwise creative, free thinking company would reject such a positive and fun application." Developer Benjamin Kahle wrote on his blog.
Apple is no stranger to sensitivity since the recent storm of controversy that erupted after the company approved the ridiculous baby killing iPhone app "Baby Shaker", to populate the App Store. Even though the babies in this app were only illustrations, the app drew a huge backlash from the public causing Apple to quickly remove the application and issue a humble apology.
"This application was deeply offensive and should not have been approved for distribution on the App Store. When we learned of this mistake, the app was removed immediately. We sincerely apologize for this mistake and thank our customers for bringing this to our attention."
With "Me So Holy" already being featured on CNN by the likes of Jeanne Moos, it's safe to believe that the controversy surrounding Apple's application approval policies will not be going away anytime soon. For a company that's viewed by faithful followers as a religion all its own and a CEO, Steve Jobs, who's practically worshiped as a deity himself, the irony here is perfectly delicious.
"Once our Animalizer app was accepted, we decided to expand the concept with religious figures. We were hoping that Me So Holy would also be well received and thought of as a fun, silly application." Kahle told the iPhone Savior.
"So far most people have been sympathizing with us, deeming the app non offensive and wishing Apple would put it in the store. We even have people asking to buy it from us directly!"
For Jobs sake Apple! What's the problem? Should we expect "Me So Holy" to make an appearance as an Android app long before it ever disgraces the iPhone? That's one question that begs the answer, "What Would Google Do?" It's too early to tell, but the bigger question still remains. What will Apple do?
Hello! Earth to Jesus Phone... we have a problem!
Me So Holy iPhone App from Benjamin Margolis on Vimeo.
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Posted by: Asics shoes | September 23, 2010 at 06:18 PM