Forced Ratings to Disappear in 4.0

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/04/10/iphone_4_0_to_remove_controversial_rate_on_delete_prompt.html' target='_blank'>http://www.appleinsider.com/article...ete_prompt.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"The next revision of the iPhone OS will remove the rating prompt that users see when they delete an app from their device."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1270985139.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>This was implemented first in iPhone 2.2 and was supposed to increase feedback ratings in the App Store. Developers complained that it encouraged negative feedback rather than positive. I find it annoying myself so personally am glad they are doing away with this in 4.0. What are your thoughts?</p>

[Sven Johannsen]

Hmm, don't recall experiencing that, though I have removed apps. I certainly understand the authors desires to kill that thing. Folks are more inclined to complain than complement in the first place. So irritating me with a pop-up, as I am removing something I obviously didn't like or no longer want, certainly isn't conducive to a 'fair' review. Not sure I wouldn't be negatively impacted if I was annoyed by a pop-up for an app that has been on my device for a few months, to see what I liked about it.

Possibly Apple could just keep stats based on iTunes. I expect they could gather stats on when an app is loaded, and when it is removed, and provide an average loiter time. Wouldn't require any user intervention, but would give potential customers a feel for how long the thing typically stays on a device, along with the reviews. Might be skewed a bit by folks too lazy to remove an app, but it's just unchecking a box.

I am somewhat surprised at how many good reviews are posted in iTunes. In other venues I typically see a predominanace of irritated folks, while the satisfied ones don't seem to take the time to say so.