Apple relaxes app development rules, finally posts review guidelines


Apple Thursday issued a statement regarding new changes to its iOS app developer program. The company said it has relaxed some restrictions it placed on app development earlier this year. Specifically, the company will relax the use of third-party development tools to create apps. The caveat appears to be that the app must not download code and may not use private/undocumented APIs.

Apple also issued an actual guide to getting apps reviewed in the apps store. To date, the process has largely been a mystery resulting in developers investing resources without any real indication their app will ever make it to the iTunes store. There is still a lot of vague language, and Apple can change it mind on a whim, but it appears to be a start to making the process more transparent.

"We will reject Apps for any content or behavior that we believe is over the line. What line, you ask? Well, as a Supreme Court Justice once said, "I'll know it when I see it". And we think that you will also know it when you cross it."

Apple also said there is a Review Board to appeal any app rejection. The company discourages developers to take their case to the media saying, "If you run to the press and trash us, it never helps."

Overall this is pretty welcome news. The App Store is growing at a rapid pace and Apple is has admitted it's feeling its way through the process. It's comforting to see Apple respond to developer's concerns and spell out its review process in at least some detail. Hopefully we'll get more details as time goes on.