Apple to Disclose Thought Process Behind Chosen iPhone Apps?

Apple’s decision-making process regarding its approval or rejection of specific iPhone applications has always been something of a mystery.  Yesterday, Phil Schiller, a senior Apple executive, took the unusual step of e-mailing  John Gruber of Daring Fireball to comment on the approval process for the Ninjawords application, a dictionary application that was rejected multiple times because it, apparently, contained more offensive language than standard, published dictionaries.  As a private company, Apple will assert its right to determine which apps it wants to sell.  This was most starkly illustrated recently with Apple’s decision to reject the Google Voice application, a decision that caused considerable outrage  in the tech world.  One hopes, however, that this is a first step by Apple towards greater transparency respecting its decision-making process and application approval criteria.  I know that our clients – whether they are the application programmers or the creative forces behind them – would certainly appreciate more disclosure from Apple in this area.