Baby Shaker – It’s Not Funny Apple!

(update: app has been removed – CLICK HERE for details)

Our apologies in advance – this will not be a typical KRAPPS post. To borrow a baseball analogy, our mission is to hit what Apple tees up and this next one is going out of the park.

Ever hear of SBS? Per Wikipedia … “Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a form of child abuse that occurs when an abuser violently shakes an infant, creating a whiplash-type motion that causes acceleration-deceleration injuries. The injury is estimated to affect between 1,200 and 1,600 children every year in the USA. SBS is often fatal and can cause severe brain damage, resulting in lifelong disability.” Besides death and brain damage, shaking a baby can cause blindness, leaning problems, seizure disorders, cerebral palsy and paralysis. Yeah, pretty disgusting stuff … repulsive and sickening.

So obviously child abuse is no laughing matter … and maybe it’s just us, but we would never even joke about child abuse and use it as a form of entertainment. Maybe we’re just square pegs and out of the norm because apparently Apple and the folks at Sikalosoft think shaking a baby is funny. Head to the App Store … and search the Entertainment category … there you will find the Baby Shaker iPhone app.

BabyShakerDesc

Now don’t get us wrong – we’re not on some vigilante justice hunt. We know there was no malicious intent by Sikalosoft. And we know that Apple are complete dumbasses when it comes to approving apps (even if the app includes a disclaimer – “Never, never shake a baby”), driven by quantity over quality. But come one … combining the title Baby Shaker with the objective of stopping an annoying crying baby is simply irresponsible and utterly idiotic. You would think Apple would stay totally clear of any iPhone app remotely resembling child abuse … but if you’ve paid any attention to KRAPPS, it’s really not surprising.

BabyShake1 BabyShake2 BabyShake3

loser Ok, we get it … crying babies can indeed get annoying. On a plane, at a restaurant, in the hotel room next to yours … we get it, annoying … shut that kid up! But Apple, try using just half your freaking money-making brain and reject Baby Shaker … tell Sikalosoft to make some revisions, call the damn thing Pacify Junior and mix in some pacifiers to calm the baby down. See how easy that was … simple stuff, sort of funny while protecting the integrity of the Apple brand. And never forget … reality bites – release Baby Shaker and you get douchebag users leaving loser reviews like the one below (yeah, look for it … look for the word CHOCKING) …

ShakeBabyComment

April 22, 2009 | Filed Under Entertainment 

Comments

  • This is horrible. As a mother of a son who was shaken when he was 7 weeks old, causing a severe brain injury, I am disgusted that Apple would even let such an app be available, even if they didn't develop it themselves.
  • Randi
    Jennipher - my daughter was also shaken by her father when she was 10 weeks old. A lot of damage was done but thanks to some amazing doctors she came out of it in good shape. My little miracle. That company Sikalosoft is demented and I hope they do not succeed in business. They certainly do not deserve it. As for Apple, I wouldn't own any of their products - EVER! Absolutely sick. The app should have never reached the public.
  • Ms. Val
    That is so mean. Don't use children like that, you should be ashamed.
  • BETTY
    YOU ARE A COMPLETE ASS HOLE!! SBS IS SERIOUS AND NOTHING AT ALL TO JOKE ABOUT. LET SOMEBODY COME ALONG A BEAT YOUR HEAD DOWN WITH A BALL BAT / THAN MAYBE YOU WILL SHUT THE F*** UP!! YOU MUST HATE CHILDREN AND MAYBE YOUR A PEDOPHILE--A CHILD PREDATOR. ITS OBVIOUS TO ME~~ YOU DON'T HAVE NO COMMPASSION FOR CHILDREN--ESPECIALLY THE LIL' ONES WHO DIE OR SUFFER TOTAL BRAIN DAMAGE FROM SBS !! I HATE PPL LIKE YOU---YOUR A TRUE DICK HEAD ASS HOLE !!!!!!!!
  • Lauren
    WTF SBS IS REAL HOW DARE YOU ALL AT APPLE AND WHOEVER ELSE THINKS THIS IS FUNNY
  • Keli Cherry
    This make me Livid! I had a Son who was shaken when he was 3 months old. I dont think there is anything funny about it. He suffers Daily from what happen to him. There are people in this country who struggle to educate people to not shake babies.. and then you find this? This just reverses all the hard work that those people are doing! ...
  • Tiffany
    Utterly and Totally disgusting! I am a mom of a child who was shaken by his babysitter and nearly killed. After 2 months in ICU he came home a totally different person. This was very repulsive and stupid. Not only should they change it, the person who thought it up ought to lose their job and be prosecuted for child endangerment. Abuse is no laughing matter. Apple can forget EVER getting any business from me!
  • ANGELA
    THIS HORRIBLE. SBS SERIOUS AND NO LAUGHING MATTER. WHEN CHILDREN ARE SHAKEN THEY WILL HAVE BRAIN DAMANGE OR DIE FROM THEIR INJURIES.. APPLE I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU MAKE AN APPS LIKE THIS. I VERY ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED WITH THIS. ALOT OF FAMILIES HAD A BABY SHAKEN AND YOU CAN JUST MAKE FUN AND MAKE IT GAME OUT OF IT. YOU SHOULD BE TURN IN FOR THIS. I'M DONE BUY THINGS FROM APPLE YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT GETING MORE BUSINESS FROM ME.
  • Krissy Durbin
    I can not believe that a company like APPLE would let go on!! SBS in nothing to joke about and there is nothing funny about it!!! With all the terrible and horrible things that are happening to children, why are people adding this app to make it a game or try to make it funny!! If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem!!!!
  • As another mother of SBS victim, I am REPULSED. I would like to shake the person who invented this til their brain is permanently damaged. All the effort I put into raising awareness to stop SBS, and they're promoting it!
  • Sue
    You should be ashamed of yourself! Somethings in life are more important than the $$$$! There are too many children suffering from SBS and here you are making a joke of it. I hope you rot in hell!
  • wow32
    Report Abuse!
    goto http://sites.google.com/site/sikalosoft/Home/Ba... and at the bottom is a link that says "Report Abuse" to google, since its a google-hosted website. How ironic "report abuse" ...... do it and have Google shut the site down. Spread the word.
  • Penny
    As a grand mother of a child that was shaken I find this very repulsive. That you would support this for money and call it entertainment. Makes me wonder if you have children and your concerns (or lack of!!) for them. I call it child endangerment. SBS changes lives forever, not just the child that was shaken (if they survive)but the family as a whole. SBS is not a game, it is a very cruel form of abuse.
  • Sam
    I reported this app. Its an outrage!
  • NDcart
    Search for the app in the app store. At the bottom of the application, click report a problem, then click "This application is offensive". Let's get this app removed ASAP.
  • This is disgusting.

    ND Cart, thanks for information on how to report the APP
  • Proud Dad
    Unbelievable, this is why the world is going to hell!! This is the SICKEST thing I've ever seen. APPLE, you better get a spine and get this off the APP store.

    It's bad enough people do this for real!!

    A father of a beautiful baby boy!!
  • Misty Beaulieu
    As one more mother of a shaken baby survivor, I am obviously outraged! To use that title and children in such an app is absolutely horrific! I have contacted Apple, whom I know did not make that app yet let it be made public and for purchase, and was told that it is in the process of being removed. They also said that the more people who complain, the quicker it will be removed and an apology is more likely at that point.
  • element166
    It looks as if its not on the App Store any more.
  • Mark F.
    Looks like Google has taken down the Sicf*ksoft website and the app is gone from the App Store. Good work, everyone. This is one developer who needs to find another line of work.
  • michelle walz
    you fucking scumbags!my grandaughter was shaken by her so called father when she was 10 weeks old & nearly died as a result .my grandaughter will suffer the effects of the shaking the rest of her life!you think this is funny come see me & i will show you how funny abuse is you fucking money hungry dirtbags!
  • Miralanne
    This is gross and perverted, what the he11 is wrong with people?!? Who on bloody earth would think this entertaining? Maybe every user should be forced to listen repeatedly to testimony of devastated parents of dead or brain damaged children who WERE shaken violently! Apple sux for allowing this but let's look at the freaks who "invented" it - maybe we can videotape THEM being shaken until THEIR eyes bleed. I want to puke from the garbage being put out by the "new generation". I'm 40 years old and swear I don't get the bizarre, sick perversions of the people coming up next, it makes me scared for this world.
  • scott
    Whats next, "Put my Cigarettes out on Little Billy's Arm"?

    Bravo Apple. Is Steve dead yet?
  • jak
    scott's right, but ruins his rhetorical superiority by asking if Steve is dead yet. Just wrong, man. No way around it: wrong.
  • shit
    Fuck these morons!
  • Miles Edgeworth
    Very mature, people. Really.
    I get it that you are upset and all but you're no better than most of the reviewers on the App Store. Or any commenters on the net anyway.
    You're the case in point of what I wrote about here some minutes ago: http://krapps.com/?p=2306
  • Randi
    Walk a mile in these victim's shoes and see how angry you get. Nothing compares to the severity of child abuse so for you to even think it is comparable deems you an idiot. Have a wonderful day.
  • Randi
    My daughter is the victim of Shaken Baby and anyone who profits from it or pokes fun at such a violent act deserves to rot in h*ll.
  • Jeff
    You know, if it was ordinary Joe Blow who said things that incited violence and justified (tried to) it by claiming it was meant to be a humerous joke would be castrated and lynched. Why forgive such a stupid Company as Apple. Because they have lots of stuff we find really cool and so we allow them. I sat on a jury once that trialled a mother for manslaughter by shaking her baby who had very fragile bones. How must she be feeling right know with Apple?
  • Jeff
    A further point. Those that have bought this "game" are just as bad as child abusers!! Apple did not force them to buy, so both (Apple and the IPhone Child Abusers) should hang their heads in shame - both obviously think it's OK to damage our young for entertainment and the almighty dollar. And please don't say you only bought it to see what all the fuss is about - you bought it because you are inherently cruel.
  • Ron
    Every time someone shakes a baby on an Iphone a kitten dies
  • Mac Hammer
    I too, was horrified by the release of Baby Shaker. I wrote a letter to Steve Jobs asking that it be removed. I'm sure it wasn't my letter that did it, but the application is now removed. I completely understand the outrage expressed here, and I share it with many of you.

    However, put the blame where blame is due. Sikilisoft. They are the morons who sat in their bedroom, doing bong-hits and Redbull, and playing Halo, and decided that making an application that let you shake a baby would be "totally wicked dude...hey! I can't feel my skull!"

    Then get pissed at the Apple reviewer who, after looking at the 400th version of yet another application to let your friends know "What are you doing?" on Twitter, accidentally double-tapped the approval button and released this terrifying piece of shit on the world.

    But please, please, please, quit acting like Apple developers programmed this and had malice in their hearts when they nefariously released this on an unsuspecting population. It just wasn't the case.

    Besides, if Apple released it, it would have been called, "iBabyShaker".

    Want to really vent your spleens in the appropriate direction? Send your email here: sikalosoft@gmail.com. They are the teenage dumbasses that are responsible. And I'll bet that they become the first teenage dumbasses to actually exceed the server space of a GMail account.

    Let them have it. They deserve every ounce of your vitriolic rage. Apple does not. They deserve a few ounces. Not more.

    Mac Hammer
  • Aleksandra
    What is wrong with you people this is just an app and is in no way related to the real world nor will it ever or does it contribute to ne innapropriate behavior. You really need to chill.
  • Angela
    Chill? Ne? Thats not a word first of all. It is just an app, but there are some seriously stupid people in the world that would buy the app and one time, maybe jokingly do it to a real baby for "fun" because they dont realize what this does. This app says never ever shake a baby at the end. after its statements about how you want to "shut the kids up" To me it condones child abuse. Which is no reason for anyone to have to "chill"
  • Mom2BabyK
    Shaking the developer of this application till s/he is brain damaged just seems like kicking a dead horse. Someone at both Apple and Sikalosoft obviously have uninstalled empathy chips. What an outrage.
  • Mr. Reeee
    It's a JOKE, people, A JOKE!

    Sick, tasteless, stupid, yes, but it's still intended to be a joke.

    This reminds me of the old "Bonsai Kitten" website from a few years ago. Sick, tasteless, stupid, but utterly hilarious. There were people who actually didn't get the joke, thought it was REAL tried to have the web site shutdown, etc..

    http://www.shorty.com/bonsaikitten/
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsai_Kitten
  • katgurl_13
    What? Bonsai Kitten wasn't "real"? Next you'll tell me there's no Santa Claus.

    Dream stealer!
  • The Fabulous Shinji Ikari
    this is hilarious! have any of you numbskulls actually realised that this is just a GAME?

    there are heaps of other games where you go around shooting people, crashing cars, running over people,assaulting people and just about all manner of things which are not acceptable in normal society.

    moral outrage? keep it to yourselves you bunch of self-righteous gimps.
  • The Fabulous Shinji Ikari
    the only krapp here is this ridiculous NON-story.

    utter krapp.
  • katgurl_13
    I'm not a Wiccan but feel this is ap-ropos: Wiccan Rede fulfill — an ye harm none, do what ye will. The Shaken Baby application IS tastless, agreed, but not actually causing any physical harm to infants. As sick and twisted as the humor may seem, people have a right to engage in it. Parents need to take a proactive approach through better planning and decision making and stop blaming outside sources for their shortcomings. People who engage in deviant or destructive behavior then claim "the media (Devil) made me do it" are full of crap. Are we a society of lemmings, so easily led over the cliff by bright, shiney objects? It's all a matter of personal accountability. Govern thyself and be true.
  • Marc
    I completely agree that this app crossed the line, however who is at fault for all these parents who has had their children shaken? Not apple, not the company that made the app. Your hatred should not be directly reflected on these companies due to poor acts of parenting. Yes, if your husband shakes your child it's your fault too. "You people" (and I say use "you people" as a term referring to anyone who disagrees with my statements and would like to take offense to them) are the type of people that are so quick to "blame it on the music", or the day in age and not for one second think that maybe it is you for not teaching your children how to interperate these things. Or quite possibly "you"(again same definition) are the religious type of person who would kill for your higher being or because of them believing other then what you believe. Quite possibly not even kill, just look down on. Pathetic how everyone points fingers. I don't know any of you so I really don't care. Just pointing out the facts.
  • me
    oh good grief. apple doesn't think its funny so stop putting words in their mouth. it's gone now. the company that should be blamed is the original developer. apple took it down and probably fired the person who approved it.
  • I find the app repulsive too, just like you BAWWWers, buuuut. They said at the end, and I quote:

    "Never, never shake a baby."

    What does that say to you?

    That they made the app to be satirical and to scorn those who actually DO shake infants? 'Cause that's what it tells me.

    Resume the drama if you so wish.
  • The following could make for an interesting quiz app. Hopefully they'll soothe everyone's nerve here.

    # What is funnier than a dead baby?
    A dead baby in a clown costume.
    # What is the difference between a baby and a onion?
    No one cries when you chop up the baby.
    # What is the difference between a dead baby and a water melon?
    One's fun to hit with a sledge hammer, the other one's a water melon.
    # What is the difference between a baby and a dart-board?
    Dart-boards don't bleed.
    # What is the difference between a baby and a mars bar?
    About 500 calories.
    # Why did the family take the dead baby along on the cookout?
    So they could light it and toast their marshmallows.
    # Why was the dead baby kept in the kitchen drawer?
    The family used it to crack nuts.
    # Why do people keep dead babies in the rec. room?
    They cut off one leg and use it as a ping pong paddle.
    # Why do you put babies into blenders feet first?
    So you can see the expression on their faces.
    # Why do they boil water when a baby is being born?
    So that if its born dead they can make soup.
  • Lafonda
    LMAO, the watermelon joke is hilarious.
    I seriously laughed out loud.
  • Eric Soriano
    I have a 5 month old baby, and yeah she cries and can get annoyed at night, but there is no way in hell i would ever do that to my baby. I think this app is offensive to all parents. Apple should consider apologizing to all parents for even accepting this dumbass app for there Ipod.
  • Steve iHand Jobs
    yeah this is a shitty app and its not funny at all but i find it funny how people are screaming for apple censorship... Big Daddy apple pleeeassee take the bad app away... Oh brother.. Wake up people make decisions on your own! IF you don't like the app don't support it hit em where it hurts their wallet or send em a bad review.. Don't ask for censorship or you might end up going down the wrong path with unintended consequences.
  • Satire Rules
    I see no one in the comment's section nor the article writer understands the concept of fantasy satire?
  • Lafonda
    hmm. well, thought it was funny..
  • nike
    interesting how all you people say: I will never buy any apple products again!
    Yes , i completely agree this was an app which should have never been on the app store in the first place. And SBS is a serious matter. This is not entirely Apple's fault, nor should Apple be seen any different from this incident. First, Apple has do deal with thousands of applications a day, updating them, adding new ones, checking for reliability, playability, saftey, and so on. This is not the first app that was allowed to be put on the app store and broke the rules or offended people. Apple realized it was hugely understaffed in the app store department, and have since been hiring more and more people to monitor all apps for any problems including offensive, explicit, and improper matters.

    I would understand a mistake like this could happen, and did, but this does not make the company bad or morally wrong!!! Microsoft has published numerous improper software and games, but nothing happens to them, Apple gets shot at things like this. Yes, the app was never supposed to be published, but due to understaffed employees and numerous applications being downloaded, added, and/or updated, something like this was bound to happen. Apple is still one of the best electronic companies in the world, and this incident does not affect my judgment of the company, NOR SHOULD IT AFFECT YOURS!!!!
  • Fred
    There are video games, movies, television shows, and books you can play, watch, or read that involve shooting people in the head, bombing civilians, rape, theft, necromancy, cursing, and graphic sex, among other things. Should all these other games, movies, and books be banned? Perhaps we should gather them all up into a big bonfire and burn them all!

    It’s a slippery slope. Who decides what’s acceptable? You? Me? I can guarantee we probably have very different ideas about that. Maybe I despise your religion, or your views on sexuality.

    To me this game is in poor taste but is worth a few chuckles in certain circles. Strangely, it also educates people as to what will happen if you do shake a baby: it dies. Many babies are shaken to death by people who don’t know how fragile they are.

    Frankly this iron-fisted censorship is one of a great many reasons to jailbreak an Apple device. Here are some of the things you can do after jailbreaking that are a lot more valuable than a stupid baby shaker app:
    1. tether your iphone (pdanet)
    2. record movies (cycorder)
    3. take clearer pictures (clearcam)
    4. run apps in the background (backgrounder)
    5. get a free open-source turn-by-turn gps (xgps)
    6. system-wide cut and paste (clippy)
    7. have a flashlight app that illuminates at full strength

    I could go on but you get the idea. And jailbreaking is very easy – just google it. I did not want to jailbreak my iPhone 3g, I HAD to do it. Imagine buying a car and the car company tries to tell you what you can and cannot do to the engine. Ridiculous!
  • Matthew Lavasanipour
    You have to be kidding me right... With all of the powerful helpful apps, you think it was a good idea to come up with some stupid thing like this? Whomever came up with this app for the apple company should be drug outside and shaken to death. BABIES ARE OUR FUTURE YOU SICK, SICK INDIVIDUAL! YOU DEFINETLY NEED MENTAL HELP! If this passes, I will tell all my brothers and sisters in arms in the military to stop buying any Apple product. Apple will be Red flagged, and that will definetly put a dent in your wallet! Morons, you discust me and the rest of the American people!
  • Blah
    Pretty funny, right up there with the Isnort but I've searched everywhere... even for bootleg copies and I can't seem to find one... any idea where I can still get this app?? Thanks
  • clayton
    people this is hilarious! omg this is the single funniest app i have ever seen. I know SBS is real and sever but maybe you shouldnt have shaken your baby to begin with and maybe you wouldnt have such a problem with it
  • Zortrox
    You guys are overreacting! I know that SBS is horrible and many children are affected by it, but first of all, Apple DIDN'T make this app! They just approved it. There approval process is long and complicated now, and whenever they can find some spare time to approve an app that doesn't have nudity, sexual themes, or vulgarity, they will do it. It it similar to letting your child watch TV. You will filter out most of the bad stuff (i.e. vulgarity, nudity), but if you filter out everything that can can be deemed inappropriate, your child will complain and whine about not having anything to watch. Same goes for toys, books, and everything else. This is akin to Apple's Customers. If you don't give them something, soon they will all complain and Apple won't have any jobs! If you don't want to see this app or think about it, don't get it! This app might actually help because babies are already being shaken and at least this will quench their frustration and it even has a disclaimer!
  • Joe Babyshaker
    This is pretty funny stuff. Relax people and don't take it so seriously. It's just a game.
  • Apple Baby torturing PROFIT
    Apple, you horrible corporation. I have finally found THE two most evil companies ever! Sikalosoft and Apple. I mean, even thinking of the idea of shaking babies to death gives me the chills down to my spine. I think I would propably throw up in disgust if I played this game. Apple, if you think this is witty, or funny, or clever in someway, you should really look at yourself. Hundreds, or even thousands of infants die of their parents or babysitters shaking them up. And YOU think it's something to laugh at.

    I used to like the Apple corporation. Now those thoughts have just been raped by this horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE app!

    I have never been this close to vomit in disgust from something I found on the internet. Now would you excuse me, I think I'm going to go shed some tears.
  • Apple Baby torturing PROFIT
    Apple, you horrible corporation. I have finally found THE two most evil companies ever! Sikalosoft and Apple. I mean, even thinking of the idea of shaking babies to death gives me the chills down to my spine. I think I would propably throw up in disgust if I played this game. Apple, if you think this is witty, or funny, or clever in someway, you should really look at yourself. Hundreds, or even thousands of infants die of their parents or babysitters shaking them up. And YOU think it's something to laugh at.

    I used to like the Apple corporation. Now those thoughts have just been raped by this horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE app!

    I have never been this close to vomit in disgust from something I found on the internet. Now would you excuse me, I think I'm going to go shed some tears.
  • jenniferkarwan
    I personally, was a victim of SBS and while researching it for a paper i am writing for my college class i saw this. i was livid.
    I am EXTREMELY lucky to be the way i am today. I was shaken to the point of unconsciousness when i was 5 months old, i was then thrown back into my crib. i suffered retinal hemorrhaging, retinal detachment, and bilateral subdural hematomas.
    where i am left with crappy vision(after three surgeries) and how knows WHAT else, my biological father only got 5 years in jail, AND harmed two other children after me, which i only found out about 5 minutes ago while talking to my (adoptive) mum about it. she came over to see what i was doing and went from calm and cheery to furious in about as long as it took me to explain what this app was.

    the ONLY reason i am alive today is directly related to the family i was placed with. my foster mother spent hours upon hours caring for me, and one day decided enough was enough and went to the hospital to get me checked out(again). the doc wasnt in and she was told to come back in two weeks when my appointment was scheduled for. she flat out said no, and told the nurse she would wait. eventually the doc was called in and he took a quick look and ordered that i be taken to doernbeckers childrens hospital in portland oregon. there the neurosurgeon told her that i would have had permanent brain damage within 12 hours, and dead within 24.
    i had four holes drilling into my skull to relieve the pressure from the brain bleeds.
    SBS is absolutely horrid, and i do my best to spread information about it. not many turn out the way i have. i am 21 years old now, very strong willed, attempting to educate the public about shaken baby syndrome.

    i had a short paper on it published in the college paper a couple years ago when i was 19, and am now doing a much more in depth paper on it.
    i am happy to know this app was taken down and the developer was shut down.

    every day is a gift.
  • Mike
    Awwww... why'd you have to ruin all the fun?
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