Apple Has a Change of Heart – Guidelines and Flash For All

I had to poke around for more info on this for a minute, because I honestly didn’t believe it out of hand – Apple, unprecedentedly, is relaxing its application rules for App Store developers.

Famously, developers from hither and yon have found themselves frustrated as their apps have been flippantly turned away from the App Store with little or no explanation. But apparently, Apple’s having no more of its own shenanigans.

“For the first time we are publishing the App Store Review Guidelines to help developers understand how we review submitted apps,” explains Apple in the statement. “We hope it will make us more transparent and help our developers create even more successful apps for the App Store.”

Gee, Apple. That’s suspiciously nice of you. Y’know, considering how you usually tend to play ball.

But perhaps still more suspicious? That, while listening to its developers, Apple has also opened the door to apps originally designed with Flash, ported to the iPhone/Pad/Pod. This is a downright spooky level of goodwill. Smart move, though, if Apple is interested in making peace with Adobe.

“This should give developers the flexibility they want, while preserving the security we need,” says Apple.

Just wow. While this isn’t the first steps to tear down Apple’s Great Wall or anything, with any luck, it’s a taste of things to come.