Skip to main content

Apple and Google now rejecting games with “flappy” in the title

apple google now rejecting games flappy title bird
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The rise and fall of Flappy Bird has been one of the most bizarre tech stories of 2014, and there’s another development to report: Apple and Google have both begun actively blocking game submissions that have “flappy” in the title, as a deluge of clones continue to flood into the companies’ respective app stores.

While there’s been no official word from Google or Apple, TechCrunch reports on comments made by developers who have had apps blocked for their “attempts to leverage a popular app.” If you think this is somewhat unfair considering the number of “flappy” games already on iTunes and Google Play, it looks like these apps are being forced to rename themselves too.

Recommended Videos

From data gathered by MobileDevHQ it seems that movement in the iOS App Store charts has ground to a halt, suggesting that Apple is now taking steps to limit the impact of Flappy Bird clones on the market as a whole. With coverage of Dong Nguyen’s smash hit all over the press last week, its presence continues to be felt even after being made unavailable.

Flappy Bird’s simple yet frustrating gameplay is obviously something lots of gamers are looking for, and with the original game now deleted from app stores there’s no shortage of developers looking to fill the void and make a buck or two at the same time.

Here’s our look at some of the most blatant Flappy Bird rip-offs that you can get your hands on; we’ve also written about our favorite alternative games that you can play instead.

David Nield
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Dave is a freelance journalist from Manchester in the north-west of England. He's been writing about technology since the…
Save $45 on the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch during this early Black Friday sale
Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch used while surfing

If you love the great outdoors and big adventures, you already know that you need rugged equipment to keep up. Anything fragile or testy will break down easily when subjected to the elements. Something like a smartwatch, for example, needs to be tough, water-resistant, and ready to take on the world. Allow me to introduce the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch, built from the ground up figuratively for the outdoors. Able to withstand temperatures from 158 degrees Fahrenheit down to negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit, this beast of a machine will definitely keep up. It's also on sale right now for Black Friday. Normally $280, it's yours for just $235 -- saving you $45. That deal is only good until November 27, however, so don't wait too long if you're interested.
Shop Now
 
Why shop this Black Friday deal on the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch

If you want a solid, in-depth look at the watch, be sure to check out Andy Boxall's hands-on with the Amazfit T-Rex 3. He agrees it's rough, tough, and capable, and even ditched his Apple Watch for it. He also praises the watch for its intelligent design, solid functionality, and accessible price. Speaking of accessible price, with this Black Friday deal Amazfit is offering the T-Rex 3 smartwatch is more affordable than ever. It shaves $45 off the regular price, bringing it down to a reasonable $235.

Read more
Early Black Friday phone deals 2024: Up to 45% off Motorola, Samsung, Apple and more

If you've been holding off on buying a new phone, then the Black Friday sales period is probably one of the best times of the year to grab yourself something new. While Black Friday is happening on November 29 this year, we're already seeing a lot of great early Black Friday deals on phones, including on some of the best phones on the market. There are many choices out there, which is why we've gone out looking for all the best deals and collected them for you below to help save you a little extra time.
Samsung Galaxy A15 -- $180 $200 10% off

If you don't really need anything fancy and want a great budget option, the Samsung Galaxy A15 offers a lot of value for the reduced $180 price tag. Not only does it get you into the Samsung ecosystem, but you also get a gorgeous 6.5-inch AMOLED Display, 128GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM, so you'll have a pretty smooth overall experience.

Read more
Best early Black Friday deals under $100: Amazon Echo, TVs, headphones and more
The Amazon Echo Pop on a desk.

Update 11/19/24: Black Friday is still over a week away, but you can already start your shopping with the Black Friday deals under $100 that we've gathered here. There's a possibility that these affordable items get even bigger discounts when the sale officially launches, but we won't blame you if you're already tempted by today's prices.

Black Friday will start on November 29, but if you've already got the itch to shop, check out the early Black Friday deals under $100 that we've gathered here. The offers cover smart home devices, laptops, TVs, kitchen gadgets, and so much more, so if you want to start enjoying discounts without blowing your entire budget for the shopping event, take a look at our favorite bargains below.

Read more