Sunday, Nov 15, 2009    Text size: 

The App Store's policies have come under fire by a number of developers who cite frustration over the company's seeming lack of communication regarding the approval status of submitted applications.

Facebook developer Joe Hewitt brought the issue to a head recently with a public break from further iPhone development due to Apple's confusing policies.

"My decision to stop iPhone development has had everything to do with Apple's policies," Hewitt said. "I respect their right to manage their platform however they want, however I am philosophically opposed to the existence of their review process. I am very concerned that they are setting a horrible precedent for other software platforms, and soon gatekeepers will start infesting the lives of every software developer."

Hewitt's Facebook app is one of the most frequently downloaded offerings at the App Store.

Apple's new communications procedures reportedly resulted from Hewitt's feedback, among others, and could usher in an era where app developers have closer contact with the company.

Apple reportedly now lists nine levels of approval status, such as "In Review," "Ready for Sale" and "Rejected" — a marked improvement over the old process where developers submitted their app and then waited sometimes for months before hearing if it was approved or not.