We don't actually know how long it too to approve the Google+ app anyway. As apps are not automatically made available when Apple approves them.

And as a matter of fact, there was two versions of the Google+ app inside of a hour. So there is the possibility of them having submitted a second version and waiting for that one to be approved - and then by accident releasing the older version first.

When did Apple become MPEG-LA? They hold a very small number of the patents that is in the H.264 pool (I seem to remember it is only 1). When it comes to video codecs, Apple is just a company that tries to protect itself against patent suits.

Nobody would ever admit they have an updated product coming, until they are close to releasing it. Official confirmation of a new Wii would kill the sales of the current one. So they would have to be ready before doing so.