Apple has ordered HMV to remove its new iOS app, which enables users to buy music, from its App store even though it approved the app along with all its features last month.
Apple had to temporarily remove the music app from its App store as HMV failed to meet the Monday October 21, 6pm deadline to get the feature removed. HMV’s app allowed users to not only scan artwork and identify music playing in the real world, but it also allowed them to browse and buy MP3 downloads from HMV’s digital music store – a feature that would have triggered the removal as it competes with Apple’s iTunes offering.
The dispute between the two companies is quite evident from a series of tweets by Paul McGowan, Chairman of HMV and CEO of Hilco Capital. McGowan first tweeted “After the first 5000 downloads of the #hmvapp overnight we get the first rumblings of discontent from Cupertino.”
In a follow up tweet, McGowan noted, “Apple have politely asked us to remove the #hmvapp from the AppStore. We have politely declined.” McGowan criticized Apple for first approving the app and then removing it from the App Store because HMV couldn’t meet with ‘unrealistic’ deadline.
In a statement HMV has said that its developers are working to deliver an updated app for “Apple’s approval which will retain the innovative Image Search and Sound Search functionality to discover music and listen to 30 second previews”.
It further noted that the company is disappointed that Cupertino suspended an app that proved to be successful and garnered over 5000 downloads overnight.
