iPhone Devs Get Queue Times and Priority Emails

A report reveals that Apple has recently added a queue that gives developers with pending app submissions an estimated time frame for when they can expect their app to be approved and listed in iTunes. Moreover, the report says, Apple has also provided new communication means for developers with urgent issues, such as critical bugs.

Noting the “seemingly never-ending stream of complaints about the iPhone app store,” Edible Apple claims that the Mac maker “has finally done a little something that will actually leave developers smiling.” The aforementioned queue policy will give developers an estimated time frame for when they can expect their app to be approved, provided they have pending app submissions.

Developers have long complained of Apple's practices surrounding the approval of applications and application updates on the App Store. Some have most likely lost users because of Apple's slow acceptance process for either new software, or bug fixes and patches. Starting now, the relationship between Apple and iPhone developers may become less tense.

To make things even better with developers, Apple has also provided a new method of communication via a newly provided email address (appreview [at] apple.com). Using this method, “Developer problems can be prioritized over less-urgent developer concerns and questions, and immediately be brought to the attention of the app store review team,” the source reveals. The report points out to a similar solution thought out and proposed by Twitterific developer Craig Hockenberry earlier this year. The method is explained as follows:

If every developer was given one or two “prioritized reviews,” it would act as insurance for the brain farts. You’d have a way to raise a flag and say, “I need special attention for a critical bug.”

If another developer has a critical bug, I have no problem with my review process for a feature release taking a little longer. And since prioritized reviews would be a scarce resource, they won’t be open for abuse because developers will think twice before using them.

Are you an iPhone developer? How is your relationship with the company?