The Suicide Girls website is no secret to those who have acquired a taste for many of the 1,900 softcore pin-up girls adorned with tattoos, piercings and plenty of caked on make up. The LA Times accurately tagged this group of half-naked, anti supermodels as a "Nationwide art sleaze phenomenon". Making the "Suicide Girls - Flip Strip" iPhone app only the latest in what's certain to become another scandalous affair for Apple to fend off in the press. While cult of iPhone fanatics hoot and holler for more than what the Angels at Victoria Secret could ever serve up.
Though this iPhone app is billed as PG-13, membership to the Suicide Girls club is nothing short of an adult themed thrill ride into alternative female beauty examined in the buff. The app currently consists of three SG Models named Lumi ('Lumi' is short for "Lumivalkoinen" - Finnish for "Snow White"), Zoli and the overtly naughty girl named Sash. Flick your screen left or right to finger the girl of your choice, then turn your device upside down to watch their magical sheaths peal right off. Offering bug eyed users a full frontal pantie parade worth the price of admission.
The most compelling idea behind this shameless, pedal to the metal pitch for the SG website is that it's free. Making PG-13 a risky business for Apple since the app is instantly accessible to any iPhone or iPod Touch user regardless of age. Full admission to the Suicide Girls online club is $4 a month, which can be far more profitable since the girls don't have to share any percentage with Apple. This golden give away comes with a sexy, money making hook attached.
Is Apple really trying to commit suicide here? The answer depends on how much you value millions of dollars in free marketing once an app becomes controversial. Everyone wants to gawk at the train wrecks Apple creates, like the most recently banned baby killing iPhone app "Baby Shaker" that dominated news headlines for days. Let's face it, that kind of massive worldwide press is worth the occasional App Store blooper.
It's rumored that Apple intends to bring a parental control system to the App Store when they finally deliver iPhone OS 3.0 along with their next-generation iPhone come June. Clearing the way for more relaxed standards and racier content. All iPhone apps would be grouped into one of four age categories: 4+, 9+, 12+, or 17+ according to the NYT.
Until then, I'm convinced that the latest SG - Flip Strip app will come to an abrupt end, forcing Apple into reciting the immortal words of Miss Britney Spears; "Oops I did it again!". Making another public apology from the company inevitable. I hope I'm wrong about that.
Get Suicide Girls - Flip Strip (if the link fails to work this app is gone)
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