February 2009: Apple rejects a South Park application developed for the iPhone under the supervision of the animated comedy's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, contending that the app content is "potentially offensive" even though Apple's iTunes continues to offer full-length episodes of the series for premium download. According to Boing Boing, which first announced the application's pending launch in October 2008, the South Park app would enable iPhone users to stream video clips, download wallpapers, read news on the program and install character avatars as "contact images" tied to phonebook entries. But when the completed application never appears in the App Store, Boing Boing circles back with Parker and Stone, who confirm via email Apple's decision to turn it down.
"We first announced our iPhone App back in October, after we submitted the application to Apple for approval," the email reads. "After a couple of attempts to get the application approved, we are sad to say that our app has been rejected. According to Apple, the content was ‘potentially offensive.' But Apple did admit that the standards would evolve, citing that when iTunes first launched it didn't sell any music with explicit lyrics. At this point, we are sad to say, the app is dead in the water. Sorry, South Park fans."
