Apple lifts veil on App Store approval status
Apple has added a feature to its Dev Center website allowing developers to view the approval status of submitted apps.
In a move that is sure to please many, developers tell AppleInsider that Apple's Development Center website has added the ability for developers to track the status of apps currently under review. In the past, Apple had notoriously kept developers in the dark about Apple's review and approval process.
There are allegedly nine status levels for submitted applications, including "in review," "ready for sale," and "rejected".
While this update to the Dev Center website may not seem like a major change, it is a step in the right direction towards greater transparency and disclosure about the Application review process.
Some still remain unhappy about Apple's overall App submission process. Joe Hewitt, developer of the Facebook app for the iPhone told TechCrunch Wednesday that he has decided to stop developing for the platform, citing Apple's App Store policies. "I am very concerned that they are setting a horrible precedent for other software platforms," Hewitt reportedly said.
Earlier this year AppleInsider was told, "Many developers are pulling their hair out by the roots" over the approval process. Approvals that once took days were taking months and Apple's response to inquiry about the process was a stock answer or no received answer at all.
After weathering a storm of criticism by developers and pundits alike, Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing directly reached out to the developer community - sending personal responses to many of its high profile critics.
The increasing delay in response times was attributed to Apple not being prepared for the popularity of the App Store and the eagerness of its developers. In response to these complaints, Apple released a new Resource Center for developers in September which offered more information on the approval process. It also reviewed the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement, which reportedly gives Apple the right to reject apps based on a myriad of factors from content to estimated impact on the cellular network.
In a move that is sure to please many, developers tell AppleInsider that Apple's Development Center website has added the ability for developers to track the status of apps currently under review. In the past, Apple had notoriously kept developers in the dark about Apple's review and approval process.
There are allegedly nine status levels for submitted applications, including "in review," "ready for sale," and "rejected".
While this update to the Dev Center website may not seem like a major change, it is a step in the right direction towards greater transparency and disclosure about the Application review process.
Some still remain unhappy about Apple's overall App submission process. Joe Hewitt, developer of the Facebook app for the iPhone told TechCrunch Wednesday that he has decided to stop developing for the platform, citing Apple's App Store policies. "I am very concerned that they are setting a horrible precedent for other software platforms," Hewitt reportedly said.
Earlier this year AppleInsider was told, "Many developers are pulling their hair out by the roots" over the approval process. Approvals that once took days were taking months and Apple's response to inquiry about the process was a stock answer or no received answer at all.
After weathering a storm of criticism by developers and pundits alike, Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing directly reached out to the developer community - sending personal responses to many of its high profile critics.
The increasing delay in response times was attributed to Apple not being prepared for the popularity of the App Store and the eagerness of its developers. In response to these complaints, Apple released a new Resource Center for developers in September which offered more information on the approval process. It also reviewed the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement, which reportedly gives Apple the right to reject apps based on a myriad of factors from content to estimated impact on the cellular network.
Comments
Now that's a list I'd like to see.
for example:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10394265-17.html
and don't forget to read these (very entertaining):
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10...l;txt#comments
Heck, my app has been "In Review" since September 24th. And the fucking itunesconnect team isn't answering my e-mails.
Actually they answered once, pretty much telling me they'll send me an e-mail notification when the review is finished...as if I can't check myself. Apple's App Review process is a failure.
I'm this close to just porting my app to Android and never developing for the iPhone/iPod ever again.
In this case, though, it's just as well that I still have to go down the long runway of learning, C, Obj-C, and Cocoa, etc. before I'll be ready to throw my app submissions on the pile.
Good to see the process is getting better organized.
This status system is still complete horseshit. No developer can figure out where their app is in the review process when all that's displayed is "In Review".
Heck, my app has been "In Review" since September 24th. And the fucking itunesconnect team isn't answering my e-mails.
Actually they answered once, pretty much telling me they'll send me an e-mail notification when the review is finished...as if I can't check myself. Apple's App Review process is a failure.
I'm this close to just porting my app to Android and never developing for the iPhone/iPod ever again.
Put it up on Cydia.
This status system is still complete horseshit. No developer can figure out where their app is in the review process when all that's displayed is "In Review".
Heck, my app has been "In Review" since September 24th. And the fucking itunesconnect team isn't answering my e-mails.
Actually they answered once, pretty much telling me they'll send me an e-mail notification when the review is finished...as if I can't check myself. Apple's App Review process is a failure.
I'm this close to just porting my app to Android and never developing for the iPhone/iPod ever again.
Why not cut them some slack since they are still evolving the entire process? Considering they're only a bit over a year into what is still to this date a very successful Version 1.0 concept compared to the other players.
If Android has greener pastures for you, then by all means don't let the door hit your a** on the way out.
And considering your use of language, it's no wonder why they are blowing you off.
Why not cut them some slack since they are still evolving the entire process? Considering they're only a bit over a year into what is still to this date a very successful Version 1.0 concept compared to the other players.
If Android has greener pastures for you, then by all means don't let the door hit your a** on the way out.
And considering your use of language, it's no wonder why they are blowing you off.
It's been 1 1/2 years, and you need to separate the success of the store form a 'downloading application' standpoint and look at it from a developers pov. If you aren't a developer than you can't understand the frustration.
As far as his language, maybe it's because he's just as frustrated as a lot of developers out there. This process notification doesn't change anything and I'm not even sure how this informs the developer of anything new at all.
Why not cut them some slack since they are still evolving the entire process? Considering they're only a bit over a year into what is still to this date a very successful Version 1.0 concept compared to the other players.
Yes, very successful, a million apps. So you'd think by now Apple has all its ducks in a row! I'm not a developer thank goodness, because from what I read, Apple is having a "Mini Mobile Me" moment!
If Android has greener pastures for you, then by all means don't let the door hit your a** on the way out.
Keeping that attitude, then Apple will have a little over a million apps and Android a billion apps... Being totally sarcastic in my numbers projections but only to make my point.
And considering your use of language, it's no wonder why they are blowing you off.
Did Apple "blow him off" because of the language or was it Apple "blowing him off" that instigated the language? Kind of like that whole "Which came first, the chicken or the egg" thing?
Put it up on Cydia.
That's only if you want your app *stolen*. I think this guy wants to *sell* it.
Seriously lame article though given that this system has been in place like two weeks already.
I'm usually an early adopter--especially of most things Apple.
In this case, though, it's just as well that I still have to go down the long runway of learning, C, Obj-C, and Cocoa, etc. before I'll be ready to throw my app submissions on the pile.
Good to see the process is getting better organized.
Good god, if you don't even know C what the heck are you doing developing in the first place?
Don't blame the fact that you have to learn *some* computer language on Apple. It's pretty much a given that to be a "developer" of "computer programs" you might need to know how to code.
That's only if you want your app *stolen*. I think this guy wants to *sell* it.
Seriously lame article though given that this system has been in place like two weeks already.
Not that it helps if you're looking to make money, but if an app author submits an app to Cydia, I think that constitutes a gift to the community, not theft by the community.
So sick of hearing developers whine about a platform created for them to market their silly wares.
Maybe Apple should start a bottle & diaper changing service to keep the babies happy too?
Good god, if you don't even know C what the heck are you doing developing in the first place?
Don't blame the fact that you have to learn *some* computer language on Apple. It's pretty much a given that to be a "developer" of "computer programs" you might need to know how to code.
Hey thanks for the vote of confidence and the sarcasm. Talk about bad manners. Yours stink.
I'm not blaming Apple for anything.
There's nothing wrong with starting at square zero when you have to.
Boo-hoo.
So sick of hearing developers whine about a platform created for them to market their silly wares.
Maybe Apple should start a bottle & diaper changing service to keep the babies happy too?
As part of that community, it is not developers who are whining.
At more than 2,000 apps being approved weekly now, it is amazing how well the process is working.
Apple: We receive about 8,500 new applications and updates every week, and roughly 20% of them are not approved as originally submitted. In little more than a year, we have reviewed more than 200,000 applications and updates.
http://www.stoth.com/2009/08/21/app-...nt-to-the-fcc/
I wonder how many remember what it was like, "Before Apple introduced the iPhone?" http://counternotions.com/2009/08/26/pre-iphone/
Oh, that's right... always.
This status system is still complete horseshit. No developer can figure out where their app is in the review process when all that's displayed is "In Review".
Heck, my app has been "In Review" since September 24th. And the fucking itunesconnect team isn't answering my e-mails.
Actually they answered once, pretty much telling me they'll send me an e-mail notification when the review is finished...as if I can't check myself. Apple's App Review process is a failure.
I'm this close to just porting my app to Android and never developing for the iPhone/iPod ever again.
I supose you need a timeline:
8:20am [Sent to QA to beat on: Pass/Fail]
11:30am [Passed to Sales for idiot proofing: Pass/Fail]
4:30 pm [Sent to random employee to test in the Bathroom: Pass/Fail]
In fact you can hear the Microsofties with their doubletalk saying there are already too many apps for the iPhone and how confusing it is... How's about that for irony!
While Apple is making you developers shedloads of $$$, you would be well advised NOT to kill the goose that lays your golden egg.