Apple (slightly) improves App Store rejection process

In the same week Facebook.app developer, Joe Hewitt, gives up working on the app, Apple has made its App Store approval process ever so slightly less Baroque, pushing out a new system by which developers can keep an eye on their app applications.

It’s not the most awe-inspiring move, but does improve Apple’s communication with developers, who get to see whether their app is waiting for review, in review or approved, rather than hidden behind the cold war wall as before. Each status update is accompanied with a time and date.

“Apple’s previous review status system was terse and impersonal. All developers could see was a status graphic providing the average wait time for submitted apps. The bulletin would read, for example, “Based on current app submissions, 96 percent of applications are being approved within 14 days,” Wired informs.

The new review system won’t address the App Store’s inconsistent approval process, but should improve relations with developers. 

Apple’s App Store approval process continues to annoy - it’s nature has been cited as the main reason Joe Hewitt ceased working on the app, and many of us remain flummoxed at some of the apps which aren’t approved.