Comment Q&A (Score 5, Interesting) 206
When I read this article, it strengthens my opinion that the Q&A process for the App Store is absolutely flawed.
Don't get me wrong, regardless of wether you like or hate the walled garden, I actually am of the opinion that the guidelines - especially the UI guidelines - developers have to follow to beeing approved for the app store are a good thing in and itself. The Google Play store has similar guidelines, allthough - IMHO - not as focused on user experience.
I had a apps declined due to improper usage of a certain widget in another certain widget which was not deemed "correct" (switch button in a table footer for example), but always was able to either find a similar solution or - in one rare case (the one mentioned) - explaining WHY that switch button is there, and how if you take a look at the UI, understand what it does.
Then again I saw apps in the store which completely failed most of the even basic guidelines, described as (between the lines): "fail these, and your app will 100% be NOT approved", and I wondered "how did they get in there"?
Talked to other developers, same experience. Some knew they had a few things in there against the guidelines (custom springboards, views not conform with the UI guidelines) and hoped to get through. Sometimes they managed, sometime not, so they also got the feeling that the Q&A for the App store is somewhat like tax declaration. They don't seem to have enough time/ressources to check all, so if you something that is against the guidelines, you have to hope that you are one who doesn't get checked thoroughly.
I had a apps declined due to improper usage of a certain widget in another certain widget which was not deemed "correct" (switch button in a table footer for example), but always was able to either find a similar solution or - in one rare case (the one mentioned) - explaining WHY that switch button is there, and how if you take a look at the UI, understand what it does.
Then again I saw apps in the store which completely failed most of the even basic guidelines, described as (between the lines): "fail these, and your app will 100% be NOT approved", and I wondered "how did they get in there"?
Talked to other developers, same experience. Some knew they had a few things in there against the guidelines (custom springboards, views not conform with the UI guidelines) and hoped to get through. Sometimes they managed, sometime not, so they also got the feeling that the Q&A for the App store is somewhat like tax declaration. They don't seem to have enough time/ressources to check all, so if you something that is against the guidelines, you have to hope that you are one who doesn't get checked thoroughly.