The App Store

Just a short time ago, Apple announced that it is making some changes to the App Store review process, and among the changes is publication of the company's App Store Review Guidelines. Apple has received some criticism regarding their policy of rejecting apps, but I believe this recent response by Apple explains why they approach the approval process the way they do:

- "We have lots of kids downloading lots of apps, and parental controls don't work unless the parents set them up (many don't). So know that we're keeping an eye out for the kids."

- "We have over 250,000 apps in the App Store. We don't need any more Fart apps."

- "We have lots of serious developers who don't want their quality Apps to be surrounded by amateur hour."

- "If your app is rejected, we have a Review Board that you can appeal to. If you run to the press and trash us, it never helps."

- "This is a living document, and new apps presenting new questions may result in new rules at any time. Perhaps your app will trigger this."

- "If it sounds like we're control freaks, well, maybe it's because we're so committed to our users and making sure they have a quality experience with our products."

Their approach may be seen as aggressive, but in a world where people are worried about security, parents are worried about their kids, and we are all transmitting very private information over cell phones, I have to say I find their approach admirable and a sound business strategy.
 
From: http://www.macrumors.com/2010/09/09/apples-app-store-review-guidelines-offer-remarkably-candid-view-of-app-store-philosophy/