App Ethics

Image via WikipediaIn the app development space, there are stories about under handed practices that artificially raise the ratings and rankings of apps by the developer.  App buying behaviour for some might be solely based on ratings (5 star system), written reviews and rankings within the App Store.  There are many great apps in the store of over 300,000 apps that have no ratings or reviews and are being purchased and enjoyed by the user.

There are many other ways to learn about new or effective apps.  Word of mouth is an excellent endorsement for apps.  You know this already if you are one of the many hockey parents with an iOS device in a huddle in the middle of the arena lobby.  Building a social relationship with the developer helps you to trust the quality of material being produced from the seller.  Reputable app testers like tech writers for major newspapers or magazines are credible sources as well.

Hockey Science & Technology has decided to make an 'App Ethics' statement in all of its app descriptions on the App Store.  We've had great feedback on the HockeyGPS app over the past two years and we want you to know these are genuine.

Here's the statement:

App ethics: 1. We do not post our own reviews of this app on any app review site. 2. We do not pay others to write a review of this app on any app review site. 3. We do not purchase our own app to artificially increase our rankings. 4. We do not post reviews of competitors' apps. (point 4 added Jan 3,2011)