Apple swings the ax: iDOS 2 removed from the App Store

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Apple on Monday removed the popular DOS emulator "iDOS 2" from the iOS App Store, citing guidelines for installing or running executable code that changes an app's features or functionality.

The emulator gave access to classic games
Developer Chaoji Li warned customers in late July that Apple would pull the iDOS 2 because it does not comply with App Store Review Policy 2.5.2:

Apps should be standalone and should not read or write data outside the specified container area. They must also not download, install or run code that introduces or modifies features or functionality in the app, including other apps.

iDOS 2 simulated DOS on iOS to provide access to classic games and allow users to code, interact with applications, and even run Windows 3.1. Updates to the app made it possible to connect to a PC keyboard, gamepad, and mouse via Bluetooth.

Even Windows 3.1
An update in September provided iTunes file sharing compatibility, allowing users to import files and run custom games or applications. It was this tool that aroused Apple's anger.

Mere spesifikt kjører iDOS pakke- og billedfiler og gir mulighet for iTunes fildeling og filstøtte for import av spill. Kjøring av kode kan innføre eller endre funksjoner eller funksjonalitet i appen og tillater nedlasting av innhold uten lisensiering. 

In a subsequent blog post, Li said he would not remove the integration, as it would be failing customers who had purchased the app because of this feature.

Apple accepted a dozen updates
Li claims that he was open about the app's functionality in each App Store submission. He even went so far as to include a note pointing to the use of Document Browser mode and the inclusion of iTunes file sharing. Apple accepted more than a dozen updates before they swung the ax.

The first version of iDOS was released in the App Store in 2010 but later removed by Apple. Li's second attempt, iDOS 2, has been available since 2014.

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