FAQ/Darkroom
Darkroom and OS 3.0 Compatibility Issue Update
Stepcase Support
posted this on June 30, 2009 12:27
UPDATE (9/19/2009) - Darkroom Premium (v.2.3) has finally been approved by Apple and it's available now in the iTunes Store. So update now! Darkroom Standard, on the other hand, is still awaiting approval from Apple.
Due to the number of support questions regarding Darkroom and OS 3.0 support in the past week, it seems many are still unaware of why Darkroom is not compatible with OS 3.0. Therefore, I have created this announcement for your use. We will to respond to everyone's general OS 3.0 support concerns via the comments, but if you want to address us privately, you can certainly do so by emailing us.
Here's the complete rundown of what's been happening:
- Current versions of Darkroom and Darkroom Premium are NOT compatible with OS 3.0 resulting in the app crashing.
- We have an OS 3.0 compatible version but Apple has repeatedly rejected it because we use a custom camera interface. They have approved it in the past, but have since stopped and claims we are using an undocumented API to achieve the interface. In other words, we are at a standstill with Apple.
- If we strip it down to comply with Apple, Darkroom will be no different than default Camera app.
- Other photo apps that uses a custom camera interface are also having the same problems with getting approved.
- We have not been updated by Apple of any changes in developer guidelines that would result in this situation.
Additionally, this past weekend, we noticed Apple has approved a photo app that uses a custom camera interface, Real Cam LE. So, this could be a sign that Darkroom is in line for approval or Apple has some serious issues with their apps approval team, as many have suggested.
So, if the approval action for the photo app mentioned above is not flawed, you could still see Darkroom make a comeback to your iPhones. For now though, we've done as much as we could on our end and it's not resulting in any response from Apple. What we suggest is for you, our users, to contact Apple directly either by their iTunes feedback form or by phone and express your concerns about this matter.
We have cross post this announcement into the Stepcase blog. You may also choose to leave your comments there.
Comments
I found out the hard way, on a 3 day canoe trip that my 'camera' did not work. The timer was my way of capturing group shots...very sad about the lack of support from Apple.
Question: I tried to roll back iPhone firmware to 2.2 via restore, but it did not work I still have 3.0. Is there anyway to go back to 2.2. The backup didn't even work with 3.0, as I now have to remember all my aps and manualy dl them.
My company wants me to go to a Blackberry...I am really tempted.
Thanks
@Phil, we have the fix, but the approval process depends on Apple. We've done all we can on our end, now it's just a waiting game.
@David Jackson, This coming from Apple customer support staff: it's not possible to downgrade iPhone 3.0 to an older version.
Also, thanks to a Darkroom user who contacted Apple regarding our app and then letting us know how Apple is handling this issue. He got a reply from Apple and is quoted below:
"The Developer has submitted an update for the application that should make it compatible with iPhone 3.0. You will need to wait for the update to be released."
We are hoping this time is soon, but our update has been with them since May, so just more waiting.
A friend tells me you can downgrade firmware to 2.2.1 via www.iclarified.com. Search on firmware.
Battery life, compatibilty, and other issue with apple's 3.0 forced me to go with my company's wishes...Blackberry is OTW.
Here's an update, more like an observation. We've noticed some camera/photography apps, the likes of CameraZoom and QuadCamera, being updated by Apple in the past week or so. Those apps also use the same custom camera interface like Darkroom and appears Apple is slowly approving these apps back in the App Store. And although Apple has yet to release our update, this does give us hope that Apple will soon approve Darkroom and other similar camera apps. *fingers crossed*
Angus
Do you know if is Darkroom compatible with the new iPhone FW 3.1?
Did you receive any feedback from Apple to this issue for all the customers that we paid for this SW and now we cannot use it, please?
Thanks by your status update to the customers!
But, when will be compatible with FW3.1 the "Darkroom" free version too? Did you sent it to Apple already?
Thanks!!!
@Torakaru, this is up to Apple. We have already submitted the update. We hope it's just around the corner, but we can't say for sure.
hey there - will I be able to use Version 2.3 on OS 3.01 too?
@Stepcase Suppor: When do you think that "Darkroom" free version compatible with FW 3.x will be available in the Apple iTunes store again? We are waiting several months already. Did you tried to contact Apple to see what is the problem, please?
Thanks by your help.