AfterDawn: News

Apple banishes Wi-Fi scanners from App Store

Apple has banished a whole new set of apps from the App Store, banning any apps that actively scan for Wi-Fi hotspots.

Apps that use a database of hotspots combined with GPS are still allowed, but many of the most popular "Wi-Fi locators" have been taken down.



One developer, Three Jacks Software, of the popualr WiFi-Where app, was clearly frustrated:

"I find it quite ironic that Apple removes these very handy, very useful apps from the app store when there are so many useless gimick [sic] apps that just pollute the App Store pages."

A few of the other notably banned apps are WiFiTrack, WiFiFoForum, yFy Network Finder, WiFi Get, eWifi, and WiFi Analyzer.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 5 Mar 2010 1:31

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• 18 comments

• KSib

  I wonder why that is? Anyone know if there's a security or performance risk here for the person who owns the WiFi access point?

  5.3.2010 02:18 #1

• statomike

  I'm wondering why they'd do that, too.
  
  Maybe it's because easy access to wi-fi makes you less dependent on your phone company?

  5.3.2010 02:26 #2

• NeoandGeo

  They probably removed them because, while legal, most probably see the users of these apps sneaking around and leaching wifi from unsuspecting people.
  
  It's a shame they took them down.
  
  And what separates these standalone apps, from simply turning on your Wifi on the phone itself and seeing what it picks up?

  5.3.2010 06:10 #3

• KillerBug

  No, they removed them in order to force people to use the AT&T network more...a network that is already fataly overloaded, I'm sure this will make it even worse.

  5.3.2010 06:12 #4

• NeoandGeo

  I doubt they are trying to force people to use the ATT network.

  5.3.2010 06:17 #5

• bigfamei

  This is why I don't have an Iphone

  5.3.2010 06:21 #6

• jos22

  if only we could banish people who buy their crap products

  5.3.2010 08:48 #7

• navi1199

  it really doesn't matter anyway the iphone has a built in feature that can actively scan for wifi anyway just flip out your phone go under settings and go to wifi settings and vola it does the same things those wifi analyzers do. They only banned it so you have to do things the hard way... just like any other unjailbroken iphone apps/features etc. like not being able to send your contacts into your sim, i think you need to pay for an app to do that...

  5.3.2010 10:07 #8

• Amak

  Originally posted by navi1199: it really doesn't matter anyway the iphone has a built in feature that can actively scan for wifi anyway just flip out your phone go under settings and go to wifi settings and vola it does the same things those wifi analyzers do. They only banned it so you have to do things the hard way... just like any other unjailbroken iphone apps/features etc. like not being able to send your contacts into your sim, i think you need to pay for an app to do that...It rivals a built-in feature, which is why they were wiped out. Remember, kids: Apple HATES competition, especially superior competition.

  5.3.2010 11:33 #9

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by NeoandGeo: I doubt they are trying to force people to use the ATT network.Why? EVERY iPhone has unlimited data. It's not like AT&T will make more money. If anything, WiFi was added to the iPhone to offset AT&T's network limitations.

  5.3.2010 14:03 #10

• KillerBug

  Quote:Originally posted by NeoandGeo: I doubt they are trying to force people to use the ATT network.Why? EVERY iPhone has unlimited data. It's not like AT&T will make more money. If anything, WiFi was added to the iPhone to offset AT&T's network limitations.To Apple, it isn't about making money by screwing the customer anymore...now they screw the customer just for the sake of screwing the customer...even if it costs them money.

  6.3.2010 01:24 #11

• KillerBug

  Quote:Originally posted by NeoandGeo: I doubt they are trying to force people to use the ATT network.Why? EVERY iPhone has unlimited data. It's not like AT&T will make more money. If anything, WiFi was added to the iPhone to offset AT&T's network limitations.To Apple, it isn't about making money by screwing the customer anymore...now they screw the customer just for the sake of screwing the customer...even if it costs them money.

  6.3.2010 01:25 #12

• lxfactor

  Quote:Quote:Originally posted by NeoandGeo: I doubt they are trying to force people to use the ATT network.Why? EVERY iPhone has unlimited data. It's not like AT&T will make more money. If anything, WiFi was added to the iPhone to offset AT&T's network limitations.To Apple, it isn't about making money by screwing the customer anymore...now they screw the customer just for the sake of screwing the customer...even if it costs them money.maybe for the people who dont have ATT network.. more annoying to connect to things.. and u dont pay for service so u have no choice to go back and connect it.

  6.3.2010 05:48 #13

• apaullo

  Stories like this are PRECISELY why I jailbroke my iPhone.

  6.3.2010 14:05 #14

• Memnock

  Jailbroken iPhone here FTW!!!

  7.3.2010 13:14 #15

• chuckdog

  LOL yes i agree with apaullo. if you own an iphone, jailbroken is the only way to go. the iphone was OK when i first bought it, but now jailbroken it's the shizznit

  7.3.2010 13:31 #16

• MrPuffin

  i never understood why people wanted wifi scanners when they could just open the settings app and go to wifi and there you go a list of wifi networks built into your system

  7.3.2010 14:47 #17

• WierdName

  Banning programs that do nothing illegal... One more reason for me not to buy an iPhone. Using a family member's iPhone, the internet is unbearable. Why the * would I pay $40 just for the internet portion when the phone can't even use it very well?! Apple rips on PCs as if all are Windows and essentially calls those users idiots then they lock their phone to an incompetent network... I'm getting sick of the Apple fanboyism. But I digress.

  7.3.2010 17:23 #18